Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies

Take the cultural lead

The way our cultural institutions collect and exhibit art, artefacts, technologies and other material culture helps to shape the way society sees itself. Learning how to work with such collections underpins a wide variety of careers in the global cultural and heritage sectors.

Our Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies is the only specialist degree in South Australia designed to provide you with this unique capability.

What will you do?

Delivered in cooperation with the South Australian Museum and many other cultural organisations, the degree will enable you to.

· build skills in collection and exhibition development, and museum and gallery management
· explore issues of cultural ownership and conservation, and Australian Indigenous and global heritage
· enjoy extraordinary access to Adelaide’s world-class cultural institutions, through regular site visits, guest lectures and internships
· utilise emerging technologies, including virtual reality, to develop next-generation skills in digital literacy and creative innovation
· explore related subjects, such as social media and education.


Where could it take you?

You might lead program development for arts festivals. You could develop innovative concepts for interactive educational exhibitions. Or travel the world collecting unique pieces for a national body. Perhaps you’ll help production companies ensure period-drama authenticity.


  • Be career ready in this specialist field
  • Access to world-class cultural institutions
  • Strong links to industry experts

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM249
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study Bachelor degree or equivalent, OR completed Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies, OR completed Graduate Certificate in Curatorial and Museum Studies.

  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students 3 23.1%
    All students 13 100.0%

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Potential careers

Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Marketing Officer, Archivist, Art Gallery Education Officer, Art Historian, Arts Educator, Asset Manager, Museum Education Officer, Museum Technician, Presenter, Curator, Digital Content Creator, Education Coordinator, Education Officer, Education Officer / Educator, Electronic Publisher, Social Media Manager, Social Media Strategist, Feature Writer, Historian, Web Content Manager, ...

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

To qualify for the Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 48 units, comprising:

  • Core courses to the value of 12 units
  • Research courses to the value of 6 units
  • A research dissertation to the value of 12 units
  • Electives to the value of 18 units

Example Study Plan


Example Indicative study plan for Master of Curatorial & Museum Studies
Year 1 MUSEUM 7001
Making a Museum (6 units)
MUSEUM 7002
The Secret Life of Objects: Museums in Practice (6 units)
Elective course (6 units) Elective course (6 units)
Year 2 Elective course (6 units) Research Training course
 (3 units)
Research Training course 
(3 units)
MUSEUM 7003
Curatorial and Museum Studies Research Thesis (12 units)
Research Training courses to the value of 6 units from the following:
EDUC 7011 Introduction to Quantitative Methods (3 units)
EDUC 7020 Qualitative Approaches to Research (3 units)
EDUC 7054 Research Design (3 units)
EDUC 7055 / OL Research Communication (3 units)

ELECTIVES You must complete 18 units of elective courses from the following (subject to availability):
ARTH 7003 Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (6 units)
ARTH 7003/OL Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (6 units)
ARTH 7004 Art in the Age of Enlightenment (6 units)
ARTH 7004/OL Art in the Age of the Enlightenment (6 units)
ARTH 7016/OL Contemporary Australian Art (6 units)
ARTH 7019 Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (6 units)
ARTH 7019OL Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (6 units)
ARTH 7020 Art Censorship (6 units)
ARTH 7020OL Art Censorship (6 units)
ARTH 7021 Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci (6 units)
ARTH 7021OL Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci (6 units)
ARTSEXP 7001 - Workplace Experience Postgraduate
GEOG 7006 People and Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region (6 units)
HIST 7004 The Archive (6 units)
HIST 7005 Writing History (6 units)
HIST 7003 History of the Family (6 units)
HIST 7001 Genealogies to Genetics (6 units)
LING 7053 Australian Indigenous Languages (Kaurna focus) PG
MDIA 7004 Social Media Management (6 units)
MDIA 7005 Media Relations (6 units)
MUSEUM 7004 Museum Internship (6 units)
MUSEUM 7005 The Exhibition: Concept, Design and Delivery (6 units)
MUSEUM 7006 Museum Studies Minor Research Project (6 units)
MUSEUM 7007 Museum Collections Management (6 units)

Testimonial

The University has numerous support networks to assist students with adjusting to their new lifestyle, and the difficulties this may bring.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Wednesday, 13 Sep 2023