England

The University of Leicester's School of Museum Studies is the only department in the country solely devoted to the study of museums and galleries; it has played an influential role in the reinvention of museum theory and practice.

Several degree options ranging up to an MPhil or a PhD in research may be earned in one of several programs of museum, galley, and heritage studies that are offered in the School of Arts and Culture.

The International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS) is a leading academic centre for research and teaching in museum, gallery, and heritage studies. The taught postgraduate programs are vocational, providing students from all over the world with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to work in a variety of roles, from curators, education officers and managers to cultural policy makers. The programs benefit from the Center's experience in and engagement with the museum, gallery and heritage sector: it works closely with sector professionals both in the delivery of teaching and on research initiatives and on providing advice and consultancy for the sector.

Students develop a holistic view of the sector, focusing on everything from ancient castles to contemporary art galleries; after this, students specialize in specific areas. Students are equipped for work both in single areas (e.g. art or history curatorship) and between different kinds of organizations.

Student may earn a MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies. The program is continually being reviewed and developed in response to new research and shifts in museum practice. Throughout the degree, you will examine diverse of museum theory and practice, visit museums, galleries and cultural organisations, and have many opportunities to discuss ideas and issues with professionals and academics in the field. One of the most popular aspects of the AGMS is the work placement that you undertake in a museum or gallery. Each placement involves a minimum of 20 days work on a specific project, such as exhibition developmoent, collections management, or education programme. Many students find this such a positive experience that they carry on working in their museum when the work placement has finished, and each year a few students are offered jobs by their placement hosts.

Students may take courses to earn one of several degrees: BA History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies, MA Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, or an MA Museum Studies. In addition, the university offers three research degrees: Masters by Research, MPhil, and the PhD.

"This programme is taught at the Ironbridge Institute, run jointly by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and the University, and situated in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site in Shropshire; it is appropriate for people working or planning to work in conservation and recording agencies, museums, tourism, environmental education, archaeology, landscape design and planning."

"This programme offers you a unique opportunity to study the history and operations of museums in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. We will investigate the cultural significance of museums, their histories and contemporary issues. You will acquire and refine skills in archival and historical research and verbal and written communication. You can opt to take a work placement in one of our prestigious partnership museums. "

"This innovative course benefits from collaborative relationships with museums and galleries of national and international significance, notably the Holburne Museum, Arnolfini, Bristol and Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. It covers a wide range of curatorial approaches, from management of the historical collection to creative curating of cutting edge contemporary art, craft and design."
 
"The MA adopts a 'practice-led' approach; while some sessions are delivered by Bath School of Art and Design (BSAD) university academics, others are delivered by our collaborators and relate to particular case studies or collections. There are opportunities to work alongside museum and gallery professionals on selected in-house activities and 'real life' projects can be pursued in response to assessment assignments, especially in relation to the final 'Master's Project' double module."
 

Heritage Studies and Museums (MPhil in Social Anthropology and Museums or in Archaeological Heritage and Museums), covers "the core issues and approaches within the field of heritage generally (including tangible and tangible, movable and immovable heritage) and museums specifically. It traces the development of heritage as a public enterprise whether in the form of museums or heritage organisations and legislation, and focuses on the ways this field has expanded and the core issues that now defines it. These include:

• The historical development of museums and heritage institutions
• The concept of value, its historical development, ways of assessment and contestation
• The links between heritage and identity
• The political dimensions to heritage and museums
• Ethics
• The management structures, and the divisions of tasks and responsibilities between different kinds of organisations
• The development of `heritage tools' such as laws and organisation
• The public—the actors, from international bodies to local communities"

"The UCL Institute of Archaeology is the largest and one of the most highly regarded centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain, as evidenced by its top position in university league tables and National Student Survey results. It is one of the very few places in the world actively pursuing research on a truly global scale. Its degree programmes offer an unrivalled variety of courses on a diverse range of topics, and wide-ranging fieldwork opportunities.  The Institute hosts events on many different aspects of archaeology and is linked to heritage organisations, museums and archaeological societies, providing an outstanding research environment for staff, students and visitors."