PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA Museum and Gallery Practice
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From session 2014-15 onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Office for International Affairs
Parent Department:
UCL Qatar
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
1 year Full-time
2 years Part-time
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
In addition to standard UCL entrance requirements:
For admission to this MA, candidates must complete the admission
form and have an interview if necessary.
Qualification equivalent to a BA or BSc (2.1 or better), a GPA of 3.3 on
the 4.0 scale (US system) or another qualification of an equivalent
standard.
Recruitment of students with a BA or BSc in the following subjects will
be of special interest due to the immediate applicability of the
knowledge gained in their first degrees: Archaeology, Anthropology,
History, Art History, Fine Arts, Design, and related subjects, but all
candidates will be assessed on academic ability and interest
demonstrated.
Degree class requirement could be waived for candidates with other
exceptional qualifications, such as professional experience in related
fields.
There are no subject pre-requisites for entry, however candidates are
expected to demonstrate strong motivation for the subject to which
they have applied, via the personal statement section of the
application form. Candidates should have a passion and curiosity for
museums or galleries and for cultural heritage in general. They
should also be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of what
the course entails.
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Relevant work experience, for example in a museum or the cultural
heritage sector, will also be considered.
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
One calendar year full-time
Two calendar years part-time
Including a 20-day placement at a museum, gallery or similar
heritage institution or site.
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
Masters Level (Level 7)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme and its assessment
methods:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar/study/degree-programmes/museum-andgallery-practice
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
UCL Qatar Postgraduate Board of Examiners (UCLQG)
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
n/a
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This MA at UCL Qatar equips students with the necessary theoretical and practical skills to assume a career as a
leading museum professional within Qatar, the wider Gulf region or further afield. Through practical placements,
students will gain a unique insight into the developing local and international museum sector.
The programme introduces the theories and practices of museology, emphasising their significance and relevance
in the Gulf region and beyond. Key areas of museum studies to be taught include collections management,
museum, gallery and site management, exhibition development, contemporary art debates, visual studies,
education and emerging digital technologies. Students will develop critical thinking skills and core skills such as
documentation and interpretation. Key areas of museum practice are taught such as collections management,
museum and site management, exhibition development, education and emerging digital technologies. The degree
provides vocational training in a range of practical skills as well as encouraging critical thinking in relationship to
museum practices.
The Master’s degree offers a set of core modules that allow students to develop a sound practical and theoretical
understanding of current museological practice. Optional modules allow the students to specialise in a number of
areas of expertise, including education in museums, digital heritage, object-based learning and curating
contemporary art. Students will undertake a placement where they will further develop and implement their practical
skills. Research, analytical and critical skills will be demonstrated in a supervised research project which will result
in a dissertation.
The programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of:
1. Principles of cultural heritage (museums, galleries, heritage sites, collections), its significance and
relevance in the Gulf and beyond
2. Key areas of cultural heritage including theoretical principles, collections management, museum, gallery
and site management, exhibition development, education and emerging digital technologies
3. Training in research methods relevant to museum and gallery studies through academic teaching and the
supervised completion of a research thesis. Training in research methods is included in the Technical Skills
module (ATSCH) and is provided formally in the dissertation module.
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4. Training in care and management of museum collections, including core skills such as documentation,
preventative conservation and interpretation
5. Relevant legislation and ethical codes relating to art and antiquities in the Gulf region and beyond
6. Key management skills to run heritage sites and museums in the Gulf region and beyond
7. The ability to undertake independent research
8. Relevant heritage and museological literature and how to access it
9. Critical thinking in relation to museums and galleries in the Gulf and beyond
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
 Understanding of all the principles and ethical considerations which govern the museum and gallery
profession, as well as the relevant national and international legislation and key advisory bodies
 Have a strong grasp of important theoretical issues, including ethical principles behind the profession and
the role of the museum and gallery in society
 Understanding of the methodology behind care of collections, both from a conservators point of view and
the curator’s
 Knowledge and understanding of communication theory and interpretation methodologies in art and
heritage interpretation, including emerging digital technologies
 Knowledge and understanding of the nature and role of educational programmes in an art and heritage
context
 Understanding the decision making process of museum practices
 Technical skills such as photography, illustration and collections management systems
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Understanding of the principles and
ethical considerations which govern the
museum and gallery profession, as well
as the relevant national and international
legislation and key advisory bodies
Lectures and seminars
Practical sessions and workshops
Discussions with heritage professionals
Structured reading
Have a strong grasp of important
theoretical issues, including ethical
principles behind the profession and the
role of the museum and gallery in society
Lectures and seminars
Practical sessions and workshops
Discussions with heritage professionals
Structured reading
Understanding of the methodology behind
care of collections, both from a
conservator's point of view and the
curator’s
Lectures and seminars
Practical sessions and workshops
Discussions with heritage professionals
Structured reading
Knowledge and understanding of
communication theory and interpretation
methodologies in art and heritage
interpretation, including emerging digital
technologies
Lectures and seminars
Practical sessions and workshops
Exhibition/interpretation project
Structured reading
Knowledge and understanding of the
nature and role of educational
programmes in an art and heritage
context
Lectures and seminars
Practical sessions and workshops
Discussions with heritage professionals
Structured reading
Understanding the decision making
process of museum practices
Discussion with heritage professionals
Project work
Lectures and seminars
Practical sessions and workshops
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Key technical skills such as photography,
illustration and collections management
software
Structured reading
Assessment:
Written essays
Portfolios of practical work
Exhibition project
Dissertation
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
How to organize and conduct research in
museum and gallery practice
Seminars
Constructive feedback
Structured reading
Supervised practical work
Supervised dissertation work
Critical evaluation of primary and
secondary sources
Application of theory to individual case
studies
Assessment:
Written essays
Portfolio of practical work
Exhibition project
Dissertation
Oral examination
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Design and implement interpretation
strategies
Exhibition work and evaluation techniques
Familiarity with emerging digital
technologies relevant to arts and heritage
Project work
Collect and analyse data using
appropriate methods
Project work
Develop and implement project
evaluations
Project work
Manage museum and art collections in
accordance with standards of best
practice
Project work
Assessment:
Dissertation
Project portfolios
Exhibition project
Placement portfolio
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D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Develop, conduct, and manage extended
programmes of research
Seminar instruction and discussion
Workshops and practical classes
Structured reading
Feedback on essays and dissertation
Guidance on dissertation analysis
Problem solving and decision making
Time management
Critical thinking
Prepare clear oral and written reports of
work done
Use of IT in analysis and report writing
Critically evaluate ideas and test
hypotheses in a formal way
Observation and scientific investigation
Adaptability
Teamwork through group projects
Photography
Illustration
Basic IT
Specialised IT programmes
Assessment:
Essays
Dissertation
Project Portfolios
Oral examination
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning
outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full
advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s): Dr. Karen Exell
Date of Production:
February 2015
Date of Review:
February 2015
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Date approved by Head of
Department:
31 March 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
31 March 2015
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