Search
Did you study here?
Write a short review & help students like you! Over 1,500 students already shared their experience.
Learning and Visitor Studies in Museums and Galleries – (M.A.)
University of Leicester
Department of Museum Studies| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 3,423 - ≈ € 5,725 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Leicester / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | ||
| Educational Form: |
| ||
| Education Variants: |
| ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Leicester
This pioneering and innovative distance learning masters programme aims to provide students with the necessary high-quality skills and knowledge to engage critically and creatively with the theory and practice of museum learning and visitor studies. The course has been developed in partnership with the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries in the School of Museum Studies.
Opportunities to meet fellow students and academics in the department.
* Students will have the opportunity to attend an annual summer school in the department where you will meet fellow students from all our distance learning courses. There will be sessions especially designed for students enrolled on this programme as well as ones of more general interest.
* During or towards the end of the first year on the programme students will also have the option of attending the RCMG Winter School. The school will take place in Leicester and will give you the opportunity to meet with other Learning and Visitor Studies students and spend 2-3 days working with the RCMG team to explore a key area of research in depth.
Who is the course for?
It is designed for those who have some experience of working in museums, galleries or related organizations and who have an interest in the museum and gallery as a learning environment. It is particularly aimed at those who already work in education and learning in the museum and gallery sector, and is suitable for those in early or mid career or working as freelance staff. It is also suitable for those not currently employed in museums who which to enter the profession.
The course will help students develop both their expertise in this field and a more in depth understanding of museum-based learning. It will enable participants to develop practical evaluation and research skills and will appeal to all those interested in communication and understanding visitors and who wish to develop their expertise in this area. The theory and practice of education and visitor studies in museums and galleries is transferable to other cultural organizations such as archives, cathedral and natural/cultural heritage sites. The course is international in scope and will be relevant to students wherever they are based in the world.
The programme draws on the research and expertise of all the staff at the School of Museum Studies and is being designed and written by Professor Eilean Hooper-Greenhill. Contributors to the course include Dr Viv Golding, Dr Sheila Watson, Dr Richard Sandell, Dr Giasemi Vavoula and Ms Katy Garfitt. The course also draws on the work of the Research Centre for Museum and Gallery Education. Students will have support not only from the department but also that of experienced practitioners and freelance educators who work as distance learning tutors. The department has consulted with experienced practitioners from a range of countries to develop a course that meets with the needs of those currently working in learning and education throughout the world.
By the end of this course students should be able to:
* Argue for the value of learning from culture and provide advocacy and leadership in this area of work
* Recognise and use inclusive professional practices
* Discuss the historical, philosophical, policy-related and professional issues that contextualise learning in museums
* Explain a number of theories of relevance to learning from culture
* Manage the production of a range of resources to encourage learning
* Discuss museum visitor patterns and relate these to community-based activities and partnerships
* Use and explain a range of methods for evaluation and research
* Reflect on personal development and use this as the basis for developing others
Contents
The programme structure is as follows:
Module 1 - Education in the museum: frameworks for practice
This module is an introductory overview that looks at key terms, contexts and themes. It examines and questions assumptions and practices and offers a range of different interpretations and ideas relating to museum and gallery learning. It explores, and takes an in depth look at, the various and diverse frameworks (historical, policy-related, theoretical, professional) that shape educational practice in museums and galleries. It examines the contexts for professional practice. Examples and readings in this and later modules focus on both the world of museums and other interpretive contexts.
Module 2 - Learning in the museum
Module two critically examines what is known about learning processes and outcomes in the museums, galleries and related cultural sites, focusing on learning theory, policy issues and multiple audiences. It considers learning processes and outcomes in museums, galleries and related cultural organizations, focusing on learning theory, policy issues and various audiences. It examines the use of a range of media to support learning including innovative e-media and offers various theoretical methodologies to support the practitioner.
Module 3 - Developing learning resources
Module three focuses on the management and development of learning resources, including staff and strategic partnerships, funding sources, exhibitions, workshops and technology-based learning. This module provides tools to support the development of the museum learning or education officer as a manager of projects and a leader of teams. It considers issues such as the use of new technologies and the value and management of partnerships.
Module 4 -Visitor Studies: Evaluation and research
Module Four looks closely at approaches to evaluation and research through a number of small-scale research projects. It offers students the opportunity to develop experience and knowledge of a range of methods and approaches to evaluation and research, including quantitative and qualitative methods and case studies, within the context of education and learning.
Dissertation
A dissertation, maximum 15.000 words, on a subject of your choice will lead to the award of Masters degree.
Assessment
The four core modules are assessed by a carefully designed, broad range of written work, including long and short essays, project work, reports, briefs and evaluations.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
Entry RequirementsNormally at least a good second class honours degree or equivalent, or a minimum of five years´ relevant work experience. In addition, many applicants will have some experience, often in a voluntary capacity, of working in museums, galleries, or related organisations.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English, and who have not lived in a country where the first language is English for at least three years immediately before the start of their course, need to satisfy the University´s English language requirement.
* From students who take IELTS (the British Council´s International English Language Testing System), we look for an overall score of 6.0 or above for courses in Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Mathematics and Physics and Astronomy, and 6.5 or above for all other courses.
* From students who take TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), we look for 575/233/90* or above for courses in Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Mathematics and Physics and Astronomy, and 600/250/100* for all other courses. (*Scores for paper-based/computer-based/internet-based versions of TOEFL)
As well as the internationally-known IELTS and TOEFL tests, the University also accepts many other English language qualifications.
The English Language Programme for International Students
If you do not yet meet our English requirements we can help you to improve your English to the necessary standard. The University´s English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help campus-based students with the English you need for your studies.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade B (Score: 75) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 575 |
| TOEFL Computer-based: | 233 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 90 |
Ask a Question
You can contact Dr Sheila Watson to ask a question about Learning and Visitor Studies in Museums and Galleries at University of Leicester.
Relevant Links
Contact
Contact University of Leicester
Using the form on this page, you can directly ask questions to the contactpersons at the university.
Fill out your contact information and message. The information you fill out in this form will be sent directly to the university. They will reply to you on the e-mail address you provide here.
Explain your academic background in the message; the more sophisticated your e-mail, the better the answer.
MastersPortal.eu cannot take any responsibility for the answering of contacts or for the content of their replies.
MastersPortal.eu - Finds the Masters for you!