Learning and Visitor Studies in Museums and Galleries
MA/MSc or Postgraduate Diploma – Distance learning
Duration
- Postgraduate Diploma: 18 months study by distance learning
- Masters Degree (MA or MSc): 24 months study by distance learning
Start dates
You can begin your studies in either April or October each year. The next start date is 2 October 2013.
We are now considering applications for the 2 October 2013 start date. Scholarships will be available for 2013.
What is the course about?
This pioneering and innovative distance learning course aims to provide you with the necessary high-quality skills and knowledge to engage critically and creatively with the theory and practice of museum learning and visitor studies. The course has been developed in partnership with the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) in the School of Museum Studies. The course draws on the research and expertise of all the staff at the School of Museum Studies, as well as the cutting-edge research of RCMG.
The course enables you to develop and build skills that are essential in a fast-changing sector. In particular, it will help you develop advocacy and leadership skills in this area of work, helping you to argue for the value of learning from culture. By the time you complete this course, you should be able to recognise and use inclusive professional practices, discuss the historical, philosophical, policy-related and professional issues that contextualise learning in museums, and explain a number of theories of relevance to learning from culture. Additionally, the course aims to develop your knowledge and expertise in managing the production of a range of resources to encourage learning, and gain a critical understanding of a variety of methods for evaluation and research. You will also be able to discuss museum visitor patterns and relate these to community-based activities and partnerships. The course puts you at the centre of the learning experience. It offers multiple opportunities to reflect on your personal and professional development, and uses this as the basis for developing others.
Who is the course for?
It is designed for those who have some experience of working in museums, galleries or related organizations and who have an interest in the museum and gallery as a learning environment. It is particularly aimed at those who already work in education and learning in the museum and gallery sector, and is suitable for those in early or mid career or working as freelance staff. It is also suitable for those not currently employed in museums who which to enter the profession. The course will help you develop both your expertise in this field and a more in depth understanding of museum-based learning. It will enable participants to develop practical evaluation and research skills and will appeal to all those interested in communication and understanding visitors and who wish to develop their expertise in this area. The theory and practice of education and visitor studies in museums and galleries is transferable to other cultural organizations such as archives, cathedral and natural/cultural heritage sites. The course is international in scope and will be relevant to students wherever they are based in the world.
The course has several special features:
- In shaping this ground breaking curriculum, the School has consulted with experienced practitioners from a range of countries to develop a course that meets with the needs of those currently working in learning and education throughout the world.
- The course has been designed and written by leading experts in the field.
- You will have support not only from the School but also that of experienced practitioners and freelance educators who will tutor you through the course.
- You will have the opportunity to attend an annual summer school in the School where you will meet fellow students from all our distance learning courses. There will be sessions especially designed for students enrolled on this programme as well as ones of more general interest.
- During the programme you will also have the option of attending the RCMG Winter School. The school will take place in Leicester and will give you the opportunity to meet with other Learning and Visitor Studies students and spend 2-3 days working with the RCMG team to explore a key area of research in depth.
How will I be assessed?
The four core modules are assessed by a carefully designed, broad range of written work, including long and short essays, project work, reports, briefs and evaluations.
All of our distance learning programmes:
- aim to foster motivation and aptitude for intellectual enquiry, critical assessment, creative innovation, reflection and a commitment to lifelong learning, as well as the personal skills such as time and work management relevant to distance learning;
- prepare you for further academic research in the museum, gallery, heritage and related sectors, by developing the intellectual skills appropriate to postgraduate study;
- provide an inclusive, widely accessible (through distance learning), supportive, and yet challenging, learning opportunity with access to a range of academic support systems;
- develop your expertise and prepare you for relevant employment, with an emphasis on performing effectively and working creatively in professional settings
If you would like to know more about the Learning & Visitor Studies in Museums & Galleries programme, or would like to discuss how it may fit into your professional development or training plans, please call Robin Clarke or SheViv Golding on +44 (0)116 252 3973 or email museumstudies.dl@le.ac.uk.
