Museum Practice

The Museum Practice MPrac offers a mixture of taught modules and two work-based placements, providing you with a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and understanding, and practical experience.

The first year of the MPrac is the Museum Studies MA, which must be completed successfully before undertaking the second year extended work-based placement

During this programme you will:

•gain the skills and knowledge required to work in the museum sector

•undertake an extended placement to further enhance your practical skills and knowledge

•study in an environment responsive to the professional requirements and skills needs of the museum sector, both nationally and internationally

•understand current developments in the museum sector and gain a critical awareness of problems and new insights, along with the key theoretical principles and conceptual approaches of museum studies

Through our close links with the sector, we welcome a large range of external speakers from all areas of the heritage, museum, and gallery world to lead sessions. This means that the course balances theory with practice and maintains the latest insights into the industry.

Watch our current students talking about their placements and two of our graduates explaining how their degrees led to jobs in the sector in our Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies video.

Staff

You will have input from professional and academic experts with substantial experience of working in the museum sectors in various countries.

The course is based in the School of Arts and Cultures. It is also affiliated with the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS), a leading academic centre for research and teaching in museum, gallery, and heritage studies. ICCHS has a thriving, high-profile interdisciplinary research community made up of postgraduate research students and experienced academic researchers who are key figures in their fields.

Delivery

We are based at our city centre campus with work placements or work related-projects usually taking place off campus. Part time study consists of the same modules and options as in the full time course, but spread over a longer period.

Placements

After completing your Museum Studies MA in year 1, you will supervised and mentored through a 36-week work placement in year 2. Placements can be in the UK or abroad, depending upon availability. We will set up the placement for you, based on the submission of a project agreed between you, your tutor and the placement host organisation.

Previous cohorts of students have undertaken placements with:

•BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

•Beamish North of England Open Air Museum

•Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums

•Great North Museum: Hancock

•Victoria Tunnel

•Hartlepool Arts, Museums and Events