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University of Southampton: Contemporary Curating
| Institution | University of Southampton View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Winchester School of Art |
| Web | www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate |
| AdmissionsPGT.AH@soton.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 023 8059 4732 |
| Study type | Taught |
MA
Summary
About this course Explore the world of art and exhibition design with the MA Contemporary Curating degree. Become an expert by gaining the theoretical, research, and practical skills necessary to work as a curator globally. Develop critical thinking skills to collate and curate compelling art exhibitions based on research across diverse disciplines and discourses. You will delve into the current concerns and limitations of contemporary curation and culture, including the benefits and challenges of digital curation—the way artwork is stored, collected, and archived online.
We are ranked 8th in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide 2026).
Your future career You'll gain professional experience and subject-specific skills that will shape your career as a curator or art professional anywhere in the world. The course prepares you for professional contexts by examining the shape, interconnections, and networks of the wider curatorial sphere. Graduates are equipped to work in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, and as independent curators, applying their expertise to challenge audiences and manage complex art projects. As a graduate from a top 20 UK university for employability*, you'll be well-prepared for your next step.
Key features of this course At Southampton you'll: • Get hands-on professional experience managing projects in the Winchester Gallery, which is open to the public, giving you real-world practical and logistical understanding. • Engage in practical workshops focused on object-handling and exhibition setup, including lighting and tools. • Benefit from unique access to a vast network of practising artists, academics, and researchers from the thriving artist community at Winchester School of Art. • Attend visits to local and London-based art exhibitions where you will question and debate different curatorial approaches. • Learn from an experienced exhibition curator and Programme Lead (Sara Roberts) with a background in international exhibition tours and major institutions like the Imperial War Museum and The British Council.
Further information This master's degree can be studied full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years), offering flexibility to suit your needs. The course is situated in the picturesque city of Winchester. Your studies will culminate in a major Final Project or Dissertation, allowing you to demonstrate your theoretical and practical expertise. This final project requires you to develop a credible and convincing proposal for an independent curatorial project, which can be realised through either a detailed written document or an applied and contextualised practice.
*Complete University Guide Graduate Prospects Ranking 2026.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You'll need a 2:2 degree in a relevant subject such as art, humanities, marketing, management, design, social sciences, music, communication, media, creative computing, psychology. You will also need to submit a 2 page written statement detailing the following: your knowledge of curating in the expanded field. Please briefly desctibe a curatorial project you have seen in the past year: why is this of interest to you and what did you gain from seeing it? Please also give an example of an art historical or curatorial text you have read in the past year. |
| Location | Winchester School of Art Park Avenue Winchester SO23 8DL |
Summary
Explore how to curate a compelling and relevant art exhibition within groups and independently. From curating contemporary performance to handling historic art objects, you'll learn how to apply practical skills to a variety of different art mediums and disciplines.
Our Contemporary Curating course gives you the theoretical, research and practical skills to work as a curator anywhere in the world. You’ll get professional experience managing projects in the Winchester Gallery, with unique access to the University’s vast network of practising artists, academics and researchers who will inform and inspire your curatorial practice.
Explore our specialist arts campus:
One of only a few specialist art schools in the Russell Group, you’ll be inspired to create in our purpose built studios and workshops and learn with expert creative practitioners at Winchester School of Art (WSA), part our University of Southampton community and just one hour from London. You’ll have industry exposure through guest lectures, work on live project briefs, and explore work internships where graduates have gone on to set up their own design labels or work at prestigious brands across the globe including Selfridges, Saatchi & Saatchi, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, ASOS, Nike and Apple.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | "You'll need a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject such as: advertising For mature students, If you don’t have a formal qualification, your application will be considered based on previous experience and background in the subject." |
| Location | Winchester School of Art Park Avenue Winchester SO23 8DL |
Summary
Explore our specialist arts campus:
One of only a few specialist art schools in the Russell Group, you’ll be inspired to create in our purpose built studios and workshops and learn with expert creative practitioners at Winchester School of Art (WSA), part our University of Southampton community and just one hour from London. You’ll have industry exposure through guest lectures, work on live project briefs, and explore work internships where graduates have gone on to set up their own design labels or work at prestigious brands across the globe including Selfridges, Saatchi & Saatchi, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, ASOS, Nike and Apple.
Explore how to curate a compelling and relevant art exhibition within groups and independently. From curating contemporary performance to handling historic art objects, you'll learn how to apply practical skills to a variety of different art mediums and disciplines.
Our Contemporary Curating course gives you the theoretical, research and practical skills to work as a curator anywhere in the world. You’ll get professional experience managing projects in the Winchester Gallery, with unique access to the University’s vast network of practising artists, academics and researchers who will inform and inspire your curatorial practice.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Upper second-class degree or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University. |
| Location | Winchester School of Art Park Avenue Winchester SO23 8DL |
Visit us at a postgraduate open event
Study your postgraduate degree at the University of Southampton, a Russell Group university ranked in the top 17 in the UK* and 87th among global universities**.
Benefit from an excellent learning experience
Choose from over 200 taught master’s degrees or join one of over 90 research groups in a range of disciplines:
- Arts and Humanities: archaeology, art, English, film, history, modern languages, music and philosophy
- Engineering and Physical Sciences: chemistry, electronics and computer science, engineering, physics and astronomy, and photonics and nanoelectronics
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