Museum education officer : Entry requirements

Although this are of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:

• history;
• archaeology;
• archive and museum studies;
• education;
• community education;
• environmental science;
• cultural studies;
• history of art;
• fine art.

The nature of collections held by particular museums will affect the relevance of certain degree subjects; e.g., fine art or visual art for an art gallery or the V&A Museum , science and technology for the Science Museum , English literature for the Brontë Parsonage Museum  in Haworth.

Entry without a degree or HND is unusual.

Experience in and knowledge of the national curriculum is extremely useful for museum education officers who work with school-aged children, so employers often look for applicants with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). A postgraduate qualification in museum studies may also improve employment opportunities. A range of postgraduate courses is available, using a variety of modes of study.

As competition for jobs is intense, pre-entry experience, usually as a museum volunteer, is becoming more or less essential. Museums are generally keen to recruit committed volunteers and some have a volunteer coordinator to manage this type of work. Check local museums and the British Association of Friends of Museums (BAFM).

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• good communication skills, both written and oral;
• teaching skills;
• commitment to working with adults, families and young people;
• ability to handle a variety of tasks;
• teamworking skills;
• self-motivation with the ability to work independently;
• good organisational and administration skills.

Experience of the following may also be advantageous:

• working with groups of people as a teacher, community worker or youth worker;
• developing and producing learning materials;
• work in the cultural sector, such as volunteering in a museum.

People from ethnic minorities and disabled people are currently under-represented in the museum sector. The MA’s ‘Diversify’ scheme aims to make museum careers more accessible to people from these groups.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.