Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies
Preserve the past, curate the present, master the future
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 a cutting-edge program which challenges existing museum theory and practice and looks to museums as dynamic, ever-changing cultural institutions. We focus on providing a solid grounding in museum theory while also ensuring students learn core practical skills in museum practice.
What will you do?
Delivered in cooperation with key cultural institutions in South Australia, including the South Australian Museum, the History Trust of South Australia, and MOD. (the University of South Australia's Museum of Discovery), this degree will enable you to:
- build skills in collection and exhibition development, and museum and gallery management;
- enjoy extraordinary access to Adelaide’s world-class cultural institutions, through regular site visits, guest lectures and internships;
- explore issues of cultural ownership and conservation, and Australian Indigenous and global heritage;
- utilise emerging technologies, including virtual reality, to develop next-generation skills in digital literacy and creative innovation;
- explore related subjects both in Arts and Humanities as well as in areas such as project management, marketing, communication, media and education;
- become part of a network of museum and heritage professionals.
Where could it take you?
You could curate or manage collections, or run educational programs in a museum or art gallery. You could make your mark locally or internationally in cultural governance or public policy development. You could enrich communities through arts festivals, community art centres, or libraries. You could contribute to the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage and artefacts.
Thinking of studying soon?
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 3CM249 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
Selection Criteria
| 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. |
|---|
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: $33,000
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:
- receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
- use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Research and Education; Exhibition Designer; Exhibition Coordinator; Exhibition Manager; Collections Manager; Archivist; Art Gallery Education Officer; Arts Educator; Curator; Science Communicators ...
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
| 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) |
||||
• 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)
Related Degrees
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: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024
