Curating - MA/MFA

The full masters course comprises 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Masters. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

The course is made up of five modules taught over three semesters (January - December):

Curatorial Histories

You will research the history of your mentored institution and demonstrate a critical understanding of that institution and its historical and contemporary significance within the wider cultural environment. You will familiarise yourself with the contemporary curatorial scene, enabling you to make sense of the structures and practices that underpin it.

Developing Practice and Audiences

You will put theoretical understanding of audiences and market into practice through a group project. This project requires you to map historical contexts and contemporary curatorial practices, both generally and in relation to the institutions and audiences with which you are working.

Professional Practice: Curating

This module provides an opportunity for you to explore your practice either within, or alongside, a professional placement/project. Grounded in work-based learning, there are opportunities to tailor the module to your particular abilities and interests. You will put forward a proposal for a professional practice project, with a view that it may complement your preparation for the final project module.

Curating and Project Management

The emphasis is on situating your project firmly within the contemporary curatorial scene, and in relation to cultural, policy issues and comparable practices happening simultaneously. You will be encouraged to use a wide range of methods to identify and document contemporary developments. Methods include interviewing, participant observation, visiting similar events, and communicating with others involved in similar cultural developments in the UK and internationally.

Final Project: Curating (MA) or Final Project: Curating (MFA)

You will work on either your Final Project: Curating (MA) or Final Project: Curating (MFA). For the MA, there will be a curatorial project (60%) and an evaluative document (40%) and for the MFA the project will account for 40% of the mark and the other 60% will be for a dissertation.

These modules involve the production of, and reflection on, a major piece of curatorial work in collaboration with a partner institution. You will be expected to work independently and document your on-going practice and reflections with support from academic and partner mentors.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

You are taught through a series of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, master classes and projects. Guest speakers and study visits enhance learning and provide valuable industry insight.

This course aims to:

• Equip students with specific curatorial skills valued by the contemporary curatorial sector by offering a mix of practical work experience and in depth engagement with ideas and theories pertinent to contemporary curating.
• Equip students with the ability to develop innovative techniques for engaging audiences with contemporary curatorial practice.
• Provide a creative and ambitious pedagogic structure that enables students from a wide range of undergraduate and professional backgrounds to develop and extend their curatorial skills and working methodologies.
• Support and promote the development of live and collaborative work through a range of Faculty, external and student led projects.
• Equip students with the skills necessary to undertake sustained, independent, innovative and interdisciplinary research.
• Produce a new generation of curators who are equipped to work in creative and flexible ways.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

The course has one intake point within the academic year and study begins in January. It is divided into three semesters. Teaching takes place on Mondays, based alongside Bristol's historic waterfront at the Arnolfini.

You will be assessed through a combination of practical and written work at the end of each module.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.