MA Curating and Collections

at University of the Arts London

Unit 1 - Introduction to curatorial practices, concepts and collections

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
 

• To provide a grounding for you to understand your key research concerns, through discussion and reflection

• To develop your knowledge of key issues in the curatorial field

• To gain hands-on experience of curating, through practice-based approaches to learning

• To develop your communication skills, through written work and oral presentations

• To understand curating as a means of reinterpreting objects and practices

Unit 2 - Methodology and techniques

This unit will deepen your practice through engagement with collections research alongside curatorial activity.
 

• To establish connections with curatorial networks to help you progress your research interests

• To gain a critical perspective on institutional practices, through a detailed knowledge of the curatorial contexts

• To plan and implement a collections-based display

• To increase communication skills, through written work and oral presentations.

• To evaluate curatorial methods used to reinterpret objects and practices.

Unit 3 - Synthesis: Exhibition project and self-directed study

In this unit you will reflect upon current curatorial practice and develop your own professional practice utilising Chelsea Space as a venue.
 

• To develop a critical understanding of work that challenges existing practice

• To articulate your own position in respect of key curatorial debates.

• To plan and implement an exhibition as part of a postgraduate show

• To finesse communication skills, through written work and oral presentations

• To analyse curatorial methods used to reinterpret objects and practices

Throughout the 3 units of the course, you will study in the following ways:
 

• Exhibition studio workshop - practical sessions focusing on exhibition-building skills

• Curatorial studies - sessions focusing on historical and theoretical framing of curatorial practice

• Collections visits - engagement with museums, events, exhibitions and displays

• Guest speakers sessions led by professors, readers and other invited speakers

During the course, you will have individual and group tutorials developing your skills through the taught sessions alongside the professional practice activity with staff at Chelsea Space.

Individual research will be guided to help you make the most of the Special Collections, as well as, library and learning resources across UAL.

The UAL collections include:
 

• Chelsea's Special Collections, which have a strong emphasis on modern and contemporary art and design

• Camberwell's ILEA collection of ceramics and glassware

• Central Saint Martins' Museum and Study Collection, which include early printed books, prints, illuminated manuscripts, embroideries, 1920s German film posters, textiles and garments

Note: 120 Credits must be passed before the final unit is undertaken.

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
 

• BA (Hons) degree in a related subject or equivalent academic qualifications
• Personal statement
• Study plan

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your personal statement and study plan.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
 

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional reference
• A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:
 

• IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking

Home fee
£11,550

International fee
£23,610

Many MA Curating and Collections graduates go on to work as curators either, independently or within galleries, museums or other art and design organisations.

Some of our course alumni develop public programmes, while others choose further study and research exhibitionary practice and typically focus on collections research, exhibitions history and curatorial practice.

MA Curating and Collections at Chelsea provides students with the critical, historical and contextual studies needed to advance their careers.