Contemporary Curating (MA)

You'll need a 2:1 degree or equivalent international qualification in arts, design, humanities, curating, art history, exhibition design, management, philosophy, communication, social sciences, marketing, psychology, and a two-page, written and visual portfolio document that details your curatorial experience to date.

Your portfolio should demonstrate your knowledge of curating and should include:

• a brief description of a curatorial project you’ve seen in the past year, explaining why this was interesting and what you gained
• an example of an art historical or curatorial text you’ve read in the past year
• a recent experience you’ve had in contemporary curating, explaining what you did and your responsibilities
• an explanation of what you did, if you assisted a curating experience
• an explanation of the projects you've been involved with
• information about the venues, the public or private funding and if you were a volunteer or paid

We do not accept the following subjects: geography, maths, engineering and science performing arts, computing and technology, education, economics, business, finance and trade, law, hospitality and tourism.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning. Your application will be considered on individual merit.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

MA Contemporary Curating programme is studied over one year, full-time, and comprises a mix of core, compulsory and optional modules.

Semester 1 overview

For the full-time programme, taught modules in Semester 1, Curatorial Histories & Contexts, provides the conceptual underpinnings, critical research perspectives and empirical examples to inform your developing position as a curator.

You'll also study Objects and Methods, which emphasises the social significance of objects, and includes practical sessions on handling and display. You will apply this knowledge immediately in practice.  

These are supported by a module in Professional and Academic Skills, which will improve your academic standards and research methods.  

Semester 2 overview

You'll study two core modules in Semester 2: Curatorial Challenges and Experiments, and Curator as Practitioner. The former includes research and delivery of exhibition and/or event outcomes in response to a series of external ’prompts’ or briefs. These involve group work and individual assessment.

The latter, Curator as Practitioner module, considers the work of the curator in a variety of professional contexts; it examines the shape, interconnections and networks of the wider professional sphere.

You will also have the opportunity to select one optional module from a range offered by WSA. Options are subject to change from year to year. You will receive guidance from the Programme Leader in making your optional module selection.

The independent Dissertation or Final Project is undertaken during the summer on successful completion of Semester 2 modules. The emphasis with assessments is on authenticity, and you will be expected to produce, in turn, different kinds of documentation relevant to the devising and delivery of exhibitions and projects.

You will be supported in your development of credible and convincing proposals for independent curatorial projects, realised through either a written dissertation, or applied and contextualised in practice.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You’ll participate in lectures, seminars and you’ll complete both independent study and practical group projects throughout the course. You’ll be expected to work independently on your final project during summer.

You’ll learn through a variety of different activities, including:

• managing an art gallery
• organising exhibitions
• field trips to exhibitions
• independent research
• critical and theoretical writing
• communicating with industry professionals

Assessment

You’ll be assessed by a combination of methods, including:

• group-organised exhibitions
• interim and final project
• essays
• presentations
• seminar research projects

Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment.

Dissertation

You'll need to use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the programme to write a 7,500-word essay.

Academic Support

You'll have a mix of lectures and guided seminars during your first 2 semesters and then work over the summer on a final project.

You could work towards a career in cultural and public policy-making, cultural management or arts-commissioning and funding. Our graduates have gone to get the following jobs:

• Working for the Royal Academy and Tate, London
• Member of the Diversity Working group at Tate, London
• Programme and Project Officer for a-space, Southampton
• Engagement Officer at the John Hansard Gallery, Southampton
• Exhibition Designer in Shanghai
• Education Coordinator at the Camden Arts Centre, London
• Volunteer Coordinator at the Royal Society of Sculptors, London

By studying this course, you'll be able to work in the following areas:

• museums
• public or private galleries
• heritage or cultural organisations
• international art fairs
• arts or culture publications

Our professional experience means we can provide expert careers guidance and support. Through our industry contacts, you may be able to set up an internship or work experience independently.

You'll gain transferable skills that are vital for a growing number of fields and industries. These include:

• critical theoretical writing
• research across a number of disciplines and discourses
• methodological and epistemological skills

The course is also a good grounding for further study at PhD level if you want to develop and academic career.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000