find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Refine courses

University of the Arts London: Curating and Collections

Institution University of the Arts London View institution profile
Department Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London
Web arts.ac.uk
Email info@chelsea.arts.ac.uk
Telephone 020 7514 7751
Study type Taught

Summary

MA Curating and Collections offers you the opportunity to work alongside established curators, learning how to handle art and design objects. You’ll learn directly from professionals in the curatorial team at Chelsea Space, who will guide your curating of artefacts. 



We are committed to developing ethical curatorial practices. To achieve this, we are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course. 


Your exhibition skills will be underpinned by curatorial knowledge, enhanced by study visits to major institutions. By combining practical engagement with historical understanding, this course builds the skills you need for a successful career in curating and collections. Individual research will be guided to help you make the most of the Special Collections, library and learning resources across UAL. 



What to expect

  • A balanced approach: Expand your practical skills alongside critical reflection to help you develop a balanced approach to curating. 

  • Curatorial methods: Learn curatorial methods, such as exhibition design, concept development, marketing, press releases, audience engagement, artist liaison and budgeting. 

  • Learn from experts: Hear unique perspectives from UAL’s professors and readers, as well as invited speakers who will lead discussions on exhibition practice.

  • Critical thinking: Explore current critical debates and stay up to date on issues such as the formation of publics, dissemination of exhibition content, as well as objects and their interpretation. 

  • Handling materials: Build your confidence in handling a range of materials, such as moving image, paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, garments, textiles, ceramics and glassware. 

  • Collection visits: engagement with museums, events, exhibitions and displays.

  • Training and support: Receive support from the curatorial team at Chelsea Space, who will provide training within an active curatorial environment so that you can skilfully engage with the best examples of contemporary practice. 

The UAL collections include:

  • Chelsea's Special Collections, which have a strong emphasis on modern and contemporary art and design. 

  • Camberwell's ILEA collection of ceramics and glassware. 

  • Central Saint Martins' Museum and Study Collection, which include early printed books, prints, illuminated manuscripts, embroideries, 1920s German film posters, textiles and garments.

About Chelsea College of Arts

Chelsea College of Arts has a reputation for producing some of today’s leading artists and designers. Our students are encouraged to radically engage with contemporary fine art and design practice. The College offers courses in curating and collections, fine art, graphic design, textile design, product and furniture design and interior design

At Chelsea College of Arts, we look at art and design in a social, cultural and political context. We are particularly interested in the effects of globalisation. This could either be on creative practice itself or a response to it. As an international hub of creative practices, we have a range of partnerships, projects and exchanges that broaden student and staff perspectives and knowledge. 



Located in central London, the College's Grade ll listed Pimlico site overlooks Tate Britain and the River Thames. It has excellent workshops, extensive library facilities, a canteen and an onsite gallery, Chelsea Space. The College is home to UAL’s Transnational Art, Identity and Nation (TrAIN) research centre, the Decolonising Arts Institute and Iniva.

The College’s alumni include Mariko Mori, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Haroon Mirza, Steve McQueen, Rana Begum, Chris Ofili, Margaret Calvert, Mark Wallinger, Thomas J Price, James Richards and Helen Chadwick.

MA

University of the Arts London

About University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London has ranked 2nd in the world in Art and Design for the 7th year in a row in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. With graduates making epic waves and developments on the arts scene and appearing on award shortlists ranging from the Turner Prize to the Oscars, UAL is renowned for kickstarting creative careers.

We are made up of 6 world-renowned Colleges and our Creative Computing Institute. Learn more about each of them below:

View Profile

Not what you are looking for?

Browse other courses in Arts, Art theory, Fine art, Art history, Modern art, Creative arts, Museum studies, Visual arts, Arts administration, Art gallery studies, Humanities or Cultural studies, or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.

Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com

Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.

Click here