Museum Studies PGCert

This degree will provide you with the practical and theoretical experience needed to become a creative and effective museum and gallery professional or to further advance your career in the sector. 

You will be taught by experts in the field, who have been involved in expanding the academic discipline of museum studies over many years. The course will equip you with a thorough knowledge and critical understanding of current principles, practice, and contemporary debates in Museum Studies.

Over the course you will explore areas such as:

The social role of museums and art galleries
Activist practice in museums and galleries
Collections care and management
Exhibitions strategies
Museum design
Museum ethics and interpretation 
To complete the Postgraduate Diploma, you will take four core modules, followed by four option modules, giving you the opportunity to delve into your particular interests and to develop your expertise in the field of your choice. The subjects include museum learning, heritage, digital in museums, museums and contemporary issues, and museums and the natural environment, as well as a practice option which is focused on a workplace-based project. You can attain a Postgraduate Certificate by undertaking just the four core modules. It also possible to take one module, The Museum and Change, as a short course.

If you are taking the MA or MSc, you will also complete a research project on the topic of your choice. For many, it is the most exciting part of the course, as a self-directed opportunity to contribute new ideas, new knowledge, or critique existing scholarship or practice at an advanced academic level. You might choose to write this up as a dissertation, but you could also consider writing a paper, a professional report, or perhaps even producing a film. We look forward to working with you on the possibilities.

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, including online lectures, live seminars, online discussion activities and course readers, which are posted to you. There is also a week-long optional Summer School at the University of Leicester every year.  

By taking the distance learning course, you have the flexibility to fit studying around your existing work and family commitments. The distance learning course offers the same subject coverage and leads to the same qualification as our campus-based course. Museum Studies at Leicester works with a team of highly skilled Associate Tutors, all of whom are experienced museum and heritage professionals who will support you throughout your studies.