Curation MA

Postgraduate

A man wearing white gloves adjusts the hanging of a painting in a gallery

A forward-thinking MA for curators who want to challenge, question and create change.

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST001

Start date

September 2026
November 2026
January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

Course overview

MA Curation is for those ready to rethink curatorial practice, explore art’s role in social change and step into creative leadership. Engage with global issues, amplify diverse voices and shape the future of contemporary culture.

Explore curatorial practice beyond traditional gallery spaces, using industry-standard tools and facilities to deliver ambitious projects and demonstrate real social impact.
Collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with external partners, building the leadership, adaptability and problem-solving skills sought by the creative industries.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Voted 1st in West Midlands for Postgraduate

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

Ranked 4th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2025

Why you should study this course

High profile partnerships with industry, with a new arts venue currently being built in Coventry.
Next generation leadership in the arts positioning curatorial practice in wider regional contexts in the UK and overseas, engaging with programmes such as the British Art Show, biennials such as Europe’s Manifesta, and British Council’s Spark programme in Hong Kong.
Modern facilities including metal, wood and ceramics workshops alongside digital suites and immersive studios with VR technologies and capabilities.⁴
An international profile for excellence and innovation with associations to the pioneering work of the conceptual art group Art & Language in the 1960s, and the foundations of the influential Blk Art Group and the British Black art movement in the early 1980s.
An international community forging interdisciplinary collaborations and professional networks to sustain careers in creative and cultural industries; the course also benefits from links to world-leading researchers across the wider Coventry University Group.

Collaborations

RSA logo

Endorsement by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive an RSA digital credential.

What you'll study

Explore curatorial practice as activism, inclusivity and influence, engaging with design theory, professional innovation, and representation. Collaborate on real-world projects, address societal issues through creative methodologies, and build a future-focused skill set.

Modules

Co-Create - 30 credits

Work on a simulated or real-life project created by industry experts.² Collaborate with students from other postgraduate courses in the School of Arts and Creative Industries, applying your specialist discipline knowledge to form an essential part of a wider team. Explore design theory and practice and research methodologies, and build professional development skills like project management, delegation and problem-solving.

Compulsory

Curator as Influencer - 30 credits

Learn how to manage and showcase art and culture in ways that go beyond museums and galleries, focusing on its impact on society. The curator inspires new ways to drive change in response to the concerns of contemporary society. Develop a toolkit for measuring success in projects that have value beyond museum or gallery spaces, effecting meaningful change responsive to the concerns of contemporary society.

Compulsory

Curator as Mediator - 30 credits

Explore inclusivity and representation within the arts and culture, highlighting the curator’s role. The module asks: What stories could we be listening to? Which histories should we centre? How can we listen to a wider range of voices that better reflect the world we live in?

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits

Explore ecologies of the creative industries, considering the interrelations between independent, commercial, and public sectors. The module is designed in collaboration with The RSA from which you’ll have a 12-month fellowship so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Receive an RSA digital credential once you have successfully passed the module.

Compulsory

Curator as Activist - 60 credits

Highlighting curatorial practice as a tool for activism, learn to address, disrupt, and expose political, economic, sociological, technological, environmental and legal issues that exist in the world. Apply your knowledge to develop methodologies effecting social change. Engage with alternative sites for commissioning, producing, and experiencing art, to experience live contexts for learning.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
essays
practical coursework
assignments
viva voce
presentations.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2.2 or above (or international equivalent) in a creative arts discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2.2 or above (or international equivalent) in a creative arts discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,700	Not available
EU	£11,700 per year with EU Support Bursary £19,500 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£19,500	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the University's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee, such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Postgraduate Master's Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

The Delia Derbyshire Building hosts sector-leading facilities in a unique environment. You will have access to our full range of workshops, from metal work and ceramics to immersive studios with modern virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies.

Media loan service

Borrow specialist equipment to support your projects and assignments. Whatever you need for your audio, video or photography requirements, we probably have it. We can also offer technical advice and help with using equipment.

An internal view of chairs and tables set up in the Hyperstudio in the Delia Derbyshire Building

Bugatti Trust Hyperstudio

This multi-purpose studio serves as your blank canvas – a spacious environment ideal for ambitious, cross-disciplinary projects, encouraging collaboration among students and external partners from the community.

Lecture theatre

Gain inspiration and insights from talks on key ideas, trends, and themes, delivered by our teaching staff and industry-leading guest speakers. Attend masterclasses and lectures exploring the latest industry trends and potential career paths.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

turn your ideas and research into bold, real-world curatorial projects
develop and deliver original exhibitions and cultural programmes
pitch for funding and secure support for your work
use curating as a tool for social change and public engagement
navigate ethical challenges with confidence and critical insight
build strong industry networks and collaborative partnerships
evaluate and refine your projects to ensure impact and sustainability
lead creative teams and bring ambitious ideas to life.

Successful graduates may seek the following careers:

freelance / self-employment
curation for national and international cultural institutions
curator for national and international commercial galleries
curator of collections such as the National Trust
collection managers
curator of national and international festivals, biennials and fairs
curation for hospitals
curation for city centres and regional arts organisations and events
curation for universities
curation for social media and digital platforms
curating in the gallery and museum section, both public and private sector
archivists
digital archivists
records manager
collections mangers
director of international and national art galleries
curatorial research
theoreticians
cultural policy makers
leading innovation in the cultural sector.

Where our graduates work

We have several undergraduate alumni who have progressed into curatorial positions both locally and internationally such as the Co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust, the Managing Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, and the curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp. More recently, a Senior Visual Arts Officer at Rugby Art Gallery, and at Coventry Cathedral as Cultural Events Organiser.

Our new Curation MA course will allow us to retain talent in Coventry, as well as to offer an attractive progression route as Coventry aims to become one of the largest cultural hubs in the world.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, guest speakers, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees annually, but such increases will be no more than 5% above the inflation rate. If you defer your course start date or extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example, to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.