MA Curating Collections and Heritage at University of Brighton

Programme overview

This vocational masters degree is delivered in partnership with Brighton & Hove Museums in response to priorities within the museums and heritage sector. Join us and you will investigate, question and debate the contemporary museum and heritage sector. You will study areas that are key to building a successful career in the industry, such as care and development of collections, policy and digitisation.

Faculty: School of Humanities and Social Science | Department: History of Art and Design | Duration: full-time: 1 year; part-time: 2 years | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Brighton, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Your MA will be structured around three compulsory modules and a Research Project. To complete your degree and cater to your specialist interests and learning requirements, you choose three further option modules, one in semester 1 and two that will take place in semester 2 and over the summer months. Management modules are taught by the university’s School of Business and Law which specialises in management in the not-for-profit sector. Some of these modules require previous management experience and others are available for all students. Modules include Museums and Collections in Context, Heritage in a Global Context, Caring for Collections and their Users, Research Project.

Career pathways

You can choose option modules and develop areas of specialism but all students leave with skills to begin or progress a career in the collections and heritage sector. A combination of practical work experience, industry connections and scholarly knowledge will provide an excellent springboard for working in roles such as:

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Degree and experience. Successful applicants will normally have a BA(Hons) degree at level of 2:1 or higher, or its international equivalent, in a related subject such as history of art, history or anthropology. Candidates from other disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Candidates with 2:2 awards or equivalent professional experience will also be considered. For example, employment or voluntary experience in fields related to museums, galleries, public art, heritage, education and publishing will be taken into consideration. Applicants who wish to take business modules as part of their programme will also need to demonstrate three years of management experience as an employee or volunteer in a related organisation. English language requirements. If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Through the co-design and co-delivery of the University of Brighton’s MA programme in Curating Collections and Heritage, Royal Pavilion & Museums is excited to be supporting the development of the next generation of cultural sector workers. For us, the partnership is an opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise and also to extend our commitment to embedding social justice, diversity and environmental sustainability in the museum and heritage sector. Hedley Swain, CEO, Brighton & Hove Museums.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,720 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition fee, full-time; fees may rise in later years. Source

International applicants: GBP 18,792 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition fee, full-time; fees may rise in later years. Source

Duration: full-time: 1 year; part-time: 2 years

Apply through the official page: https://evsipr.brighton.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app_crs

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