Your Museum Studies modules are taught by practising curators, conservators and archivists, and you will learn from our expert academics in supportive, small groups.
We use varied teaching methods, including lectures, practicals, seminars and fieldwork.
You will be given expert guidance in developing your communication, research, presentation, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
You will receive the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at our three on-site museums: the Museum of English Rural Life, the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, and the Cole Museum of Zoology.
There is also the opportunity for placements and teaching at the British Museum Archaeological Research Collection (BM_ARC) in Reading alongside the University’s important botanical and geological collections, literary archives and major 20th century print and design collections.
Assessment is mainly coursework-based, combining research and writing. Tasks are based on real-life scenarios such as researching and cataloguing objects, mounting displays and planning and evaluating museum events, which are supported and monitored through seminars and presentations.
You will also be able to gain first-hand experience of professional museum work, through volunteering, a placement module, and a final year exhibition project.
Each year, students in their final year take part in a Student Showcase, putting on an exhibition on a topic of their choice. They can select objects to display and attend a launch event where they can talk to visitors and guests about their exhibition.
Each year final year students design and install a public exhibition. For example, in 2026 our students designed the flagship exhibition for the University’s Centenary. Other exhibition themes have included folklore and magic, LGBTQ+ history, and mental health and green space.
Student are coached in project management and work in short cycles to research and identify collections and display and interpret them for the public. Professional staff provide support and feedback throughout and student work with real collections, real museum spaces and real heritage challenges.
At the end of the year the Student Showcase is an exhibition launch where family, friends and academic staff can see the results of their hard work.
