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University of Aberdeen: Museum Studies
| Institution | University of Aberdeen View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Social Science |
| Web | https://www.abdn.ac.uk |
| pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 01224 272090 |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
The one-year Museum Studies master's programme draws on the University’s extensive museum collections to enable you to explore critical approaches to museum theory while also studying the application of museum practice and research at first hand. The University of Aberdeen’s museum collections are among the oldest, largest and most significant in the country, having the status of a Recognised Collection of National Significance. Aberdeen is one of the very few UK universities to have international-quality collections relating to the natural and cultural worlds.
Did you know? Aberdeen is ranked 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction in Anthropology (NSS 2024) and ranked 3rd in the UK for Anthropology and Archaeology (Guardian University Guide 2025)
The Museum Studies programme makes significant use of these collections to enable you to study the historical and contemporary roles of museums in society and develop skills in public engagement with research while gaining practical experience of museum work.
You will gain foundational curatorial skills and an appreciation of contemporary issues museums face. With a range of optional courses available to supplement our core courses, you can customise your degree to specific areas of interest via our options in education, digital skills, and understanding decolonisation in the context of the museum sector. Optional programmes include Museums and the Digital World, which involves designing a digital intervention for the University Collections, and Decolonising Museums, which tackles one of the most pressing issues facing the sector today.
Alongside developing an understanding of museum theory, you will hone the practical skills utilised in the heritage sector including curation practice, grant application writing, and interpreting academic and specialist knowledge for the wider public.
During the summer you can choose to take ‘Curating an Exhibition’ where you will work with museum staff to design an online exhibition using the University’s collections. You may prefer to research a topic in depth through writing a Museum Studies dissertation, a route recommended for those aiming to continue to the PhD in Museum Studies. There are many opportunities to work directly with the collections if this route appeals. Finally, the Museum Studies Placement allows students to put their skills into practice by carrying out a project with a partner museum.
MLitt
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | A 2:2 UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth, in a relevant discipline such as (but not limited to) anthropology, history, art history, media studies, cultural studies, digital heritage, archaeology, geography, environmental sciences, biology, ecology or science communication. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2:2 but with 2:2 results in their final two years of study may be admitted. |
| Location | Main Site University Office Regent Walk King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX |
Fees
| Republic of Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| EU | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| England | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | A 2:2 UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth, in a relevant discipline such as (but not limited to) anthropology, history, art history, media studies, cultural studies, digital heritage, archaeology, geography, environmental sciences, biology, ecology or science communication. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2:2 but with 2:2 results in their final two years of study may be admitted. |
| Location | Main Site University Office Regent Walk King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX |
Fees
| Republic of Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| EU | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| England | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 11100 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 23000 GBP for Year 1 |
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body in a relevant discipline, such as, but not limited to, anthropology, history, history of art, media studies, cultural studies, digital heritage, archaeology, geography, environmental sciences, biology, ecology or science communication. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted. |
| Location | Main Site University Office Regent Walk King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX |
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body in a relevant discipline, such as, but not limited to, anthropology, history, history of art, media studies, cultural studies, digital heritage, archaeology, geography, environmental sciences, biology, ecology or science communication. Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted. |
| Location | Main Site University Office Regent Walk King's College Aberdeen AB24 3FX |
Overview
The University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s third oldest university and the fifth oldest in the UK. Founded by Bishop William Elphinstone in 1495, the beautiful campus attracts a diverse international community of over 14,000 students from over 130 countries.
The University of Aberdeen is ranked as a Top 15 UK university by the Guardian University Guide 2025 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. It also ranks second across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for student satisfaction in The National Student Survey 2024.
Postgraduate Programmes
Aberdeen offers an …
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