(Full time / Part time) 2022 start
Curating Science and Technology MA
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
This Masters course will enable you to develop an independent academic and curatorial practice at the intersection of art, museum studies, and social studies of science, technology and communication.
You will engage with current debates in art and museum practice, alongside studies of science and technology, to encourage new understandings of art and science for the 21st century.
You will undertake a range of active learning activities from developing displays, programmes and events to developing digital content and designing your own research projects. Read about exhibitions and activities curated by our students.
The course has been developed by the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies in close collaboration with the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, allowing you to study compulsory and optional modules from both Schools.
You’ll be supported by an interdisciplinary team of academic staff from both Schools, the involvement of professionals at our partner institutions including the activities of the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage and you’ll have access to resources in the University's Museum of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, providing opportunities for research and for developing professional skills valued in the museum and cultural sector.
You will become a member of the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage and enjoy networking events and links to alumni, to conferences, seminars and reading groups.
Course tutors include researchers with a background in history of science, science communication and museums and heritage, including collections, curatorial, education and engagement work:
Dr Liz Stainforth (Programme Director)
Curating Science and Technology is also available as a Postgraduate Diploma or a Postgraduate Certificate. You will study fewer modules and not complete a dissertation.
Specialist facilities
Housed within a single central campus location, the School offers a modern and well-equipped learning environment with several studio and exhibition spaces.
Project Space is the School’s multi-purpose space designed for the development of curatorial practice and visiting exhibitions.
The Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections - valuable assets for your independent research.
In addition to the wide range of museums and galleries in the city and beyond, the University campus features:
Course content
You can specialise in your own areas of interest, through optional modules that explore contemporary curatorial strategies, technologies and media, cultural memory, histories of medicine, audiences, participation and engagement. You will have the option of undertaking a negotiated placement with a museum or heritage organisation.
You will study compulsory and optional modules.
The History and Theory of Modern Science Communication allows you to explore how science, technology and medicine have been communicated to a wider public in the past. You will identify how the processes and purposes of science communication has changed over the last two centuries and debate the consequences for science communication of the introduction of new media, ranging from the radio to the internet. The module addresses these questions by surveying the development of science communication since 1750, and by examining the changing theoretical perspectives that have underpinned these developments. You will learn to re-examine the processes of contemporary science communication in the light of a deeper understanding of this history.
In Interpretations, you will work on a digital interpretative intervention with one of the archives and collections on campus. This experience prepares you for the option of undertaking a negotiated work placement or optional modules exploring audiences, participation or engagement in semester two. Read about exhibitions and activities curated by our students.
In Critical Issues, you are supported to locate interpretive, conservation, curatorial or marketing practices in the context of current academic and professional debates. Through a number of tailored strands – covering contemporary art, heritage, and curating science and technology – you will develop your own mini-research project which prepares your dissertation/practice-led project.
Through our Advanced Research Skills modules, you are equipped to undertake assessments and ultimately develop your own research project. The modules build to a symposium in semester two where you can present initial research findings towards a dissertation on a research topic of interest.
You will choose from a range of optional modules offered by the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies and the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science. These include the opportunity to complete a placement or consultancy project role in either curational approaches or engagement.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
<p><a href="https://webprod3.leeds.ac.uk/catalogue/dynprogrammes.asp?Y=202122&P=MA-AH%2FCUR-FT">See here for more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course</a>.</p><p>Please note, these modules are for 2021 entry for MA Curating Science. Modules for 2022 entry MA Curating Science and Technology will be available shortly.</p>Learning and teaching
You will be supported to develop innovative practices of participative engagement and taught by researchers and experienced practitioners. You will benefit from a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures and seminars, group learning sessions as well as gaining insights into specific collections.
You will also learn from practical experience and a variety of external speakers will give you an insight into contemporary practice in the sector.
Independent study is an important element of the degree, allowing you to develop your research and critical skills. The University Library offers free classes and resources on topics such as academic integrity and plagiarism, public speaking, searching for information and structuring essays throughout the course of your degree.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment methods including essays, presentations, assignments and literature reviews among others, depending on the modules you choose.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines. Professional experience will also be considered.
Experience of volunteering or working in a relevant field, such as science communication and technology within museums, galleries and/or heritage organisations, is required. We do not require a specific length of time to have been spent in work experience, although you must have engaged meaningfully with the sector and you must be able to critically reflect on your experience in your personal statement and at interview.
You should also be able to demonstrate an interest in the relationship between art, science and technology.
International
Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.
You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).
We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).
Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you need
Your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you are still studying.
A recent CV.
Evidence of your English language qualifications if English is not your first subject.
A personal statement. Please directly respond to the four questions listed below. To help structure your personal statement, copy and paste the four questions and answer each one in turn.
Please explain your reasons for applying to the MA Curating Science and Technology course at the University of Leeds.
How has your academic experience to date prepared you to embark on postgraduate level study?
How do your experience and interests connect to the exploration of science and technology in the curatorial/art context?
What are your specific career aspirations for the future, on completing postgraduate studies?
Next steps
We undertake group interviews for applicants that are both academically and professionally well-qualified for this course, though if it is thought that an applicant would benefit more from ‘one-to-one’ discussion to assess their skills, experience and knowledge in relation to course requirements, they will be invited to an individual interview.
If you are based outside of the UK, your interview will take place via video link such as Skype. The interview is an opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss your interest in the subject.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022
Fees
- UK: £10,250 (total)
- International: £21,250 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans, scholarships and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.
The School offers a Head of School Excellence Scholarship (International) for international applicants.
Career opportunities
Through a combination of theory and practice, our graduates are able to develop professional careers in the museums and heritage sector whilst retaining a critical and reflexive eye on their own practice and that of the institutions in which they work.
This postgraduate course will equip you with a good understanding of the issues and approaches to science communication and curation, interpretation and engagement, as well as practical work experience – a combination which is very valuable to employers.
You may consider returning to the School to complete a research degree. Our previous PhD researchers are now forging academic careers in the UK, Canada and the USA.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
In semester two you will have the option to undertake a negotiated work placement to gain first-hand experience of curating science and technology.
We have close links with many of the major cultural institutions and organisations in the region, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for you to explore. If you have a particular ambition in mind for your placement, we usually try to find a role that suits you.
Throughout your placement, you will return to the classroom each week to consider key aspects of professional practice, in sessions which are frequently led by experienced museum staff.
Students in the School have completed placements in organisations such as Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Harewood House, the Henry Moore Institute, National Science and Media Museum, York City Art Gallery, National Railway Museum, Impressions Gallery, The Tetley, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Lotherton Hall, Abbey House Museum and the Royal Armouries.