University of Leicester

What you'll study

The programme develops core knowledge and practical skills across the principal areas of contemporary museum practice and museological theory. You will study modules that cover collections management and documentation, conservation principles, exhibition planning and interpretation, audience research and learning, and museum management and policy. The course balances theoretical questions—such as the social role of museums, ethical issues around repatriation and collecting, and decolonising practice—with vocational skills including object handling, condition reporting, preventive care, digital documentation, and display techniques.

Typical taught modules include:

• Foundations of Museology and Museum Theory
• Collections Care and Documentation (cataloguing, condition assessment, database systems)
• Exhibition Design and Interpretation (planning temporary and permanent displays, interpretive writing)
• Audience Development, Learning and Public Engagement
• Museum Management, Governance and Policy (fundraising, marketing, strategic planning)
• Digital Heritage and Access (digitisation, digital storytelling, online curatorial practice)
• Professional Placement or Project (hands-on work in a museum or heritage organisation)
• Research Methods and a substantial Dissertation or Major Project on a chosen museum-related topic

The programme is available with different modes of study (full-time and part-time) and often includes opportunities for workplace placements or collaborative projects with local museums and heritage partners. Assessment typically combines practical assignments, case studies, reflective portfolios, project reports and a final dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree in a relevant discipline such as history, archaeology, art history, anthropology, conservation, museum studies or a closely related subject. Candidates with a lower second-class degree plus relevant professional experience or a strong portfolio of work in the cultural sector may also be considered.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency through an approved English language qualification. Shortlisted applicants may be asked for a statement of purpose and references; those with relevant work experience may be asked to provide a CV or evidence of professional practice.

Career prospects

Graduates from the programme enter a wide range of roles across museums, galleries and the broader cultural and heritage sector. Typical career destinations include curatorial or collections officer posts, learning and access officer, exhibitions developer, collections manager, documentation officer, outreach and community engagement roles, and digital heritage positions. The skills acquired are also applicable to cultural policy, arts administration, heritage consultancy, and roles in archives and conservation studios. Many graduates progress to senior management in museums or to doctoral research in museology and related fields.

Why study at University of Leicester

The University of Leicester’s School of Museum Studies is a well-established centre for teaching and research in museology, offering a curriculum that combines scholarly rigour with vocational training. The programme benefits from strong links with regional and national museums and cultural organisations, enabling placements, collaborative projects and guest lectures from practising professionals. Students have access to hands-on learning opportunities with real collections, supported by experienced academic staff engaged in active research on museums, heritage ethics and public engagement.

Leicester itself is a culturally diverse city with a lively museum and heritage scene, providing a varied context for practical work and community-focused projects. The programme’s emphasis on contemporary challenges—digital access, audience development and ethical practice—prepares graduates to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century museums and cultural organisations.