Course Overview

Our MA Museum Cultures combines the study of the history and cultural significance of museums with opportunities for the professional museum experience. If you are contemplating a career in the museum and gallery sector this course provides you with the perfect opportunity to study this expanding and dynamic field in close proximity to world-distinguished museums and galleries.

As well as regular gallery and museum visits, the department also offers an exciting study trip abroad every spring.

You will develop a range of key skills, from critical thinking and writing to practical experience through a 10-week supervised work placement that you can apply for in a museum, gallery, or archive. Previous opportunities have been offered at the Tate, British Museum, Whitechapel Gallery, and Horniman Museum. Past students have helped design and run school programs, documented collections that were previously uncatalogued, conducted visitor research, and assisted curators in producing exhibitions.

Graduates can pursue career paths in arts management, conservation, and policy; education, marketing, and publishing; the museums and heritage sectors; and research and academia. Possible professions include:

• higher education lecturer

• museum/gallery curator

• arts administrator

• researcher

• advertising account executive.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service - Birkbeck Futures - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education, and future ambitions.

General Eligibility

A second-class honors degree (2:2) or above in a relevant subject or equivalent (for example, professional experience).

Part Time Work Details

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.