Course Overview

About This Course

The Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies prepares you for the contemporary curatorial landscape, working within museums and galleries. Adelaide University describes the program as pushing the boundaries of traditional museum theory and practice, encouraging new perspectives and approaches.
The diploma is rooted in core museology courses and guided by professionals from key Adelaide institutions, including the South Australian Museum. Over one year of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent, you explore issues of cultural ownership and museum and gallery management, with specialised electives letting you tailor the rest.
You learn to develop engaging collections and exhibitions, grow expertise in museum and gallery management, and engage with Australian First Nations perspectives on cultural preservation and representation in museums. Next-generation skills in digital literacy and creative innovation are also developed.
Site visits and guest lectures give access to Adelaide's cultural institutions, spanning everything from ancient relics to digital installations.
The program is 48 units — 24 units of core courses and 24 units of electives — taken over one year at the Adelaide City Campus, with February and July intakes.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

$34,700 (indicative)

Duration

1 year full-time

Intakes

February, July

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
SATAC code: AGD133

International students
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 6.5
• IELTS Reading 6
• IELTS Listening 6
• IELTS Speaking 6
• IELTS Writing 6

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Careers also include roles as a:
• Marketing officer
• Art gallery education officer
• Art historian
• Asset manager
• Archivist
• Museum education officer

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units20 units

LIBR5003

Making a museum

LIBR5005

The Secret Life of Objects: Museums in Practice

HIST5000

From Genealogies to Genetics

HIST5001

Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (PG)

HIST5002

Rococo to Romanticism: Eighteenth-Century Art (PG)

HIST5004

Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (PG)

HIST5005

The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci (PG)

HIST5003

Writing History

HIST6000

The History of the Family

MDIA5009

Media Relations (UoA) (PG)

LIBR5008

Museum collections management

LIBR5901

Museum Internship

LIBR6005

Museum Studies Minor Research Project

ENVI5003

People and Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region

LIBR5001

The Archive

LIBR5002

The Exhibition: Concept, Design and Delivery

HIST5010

OL Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (PG)

HIST5009

OL Rococo to Romanticism: Eighteenth-Century Art (PG)

HIST5008

OL Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (PG)

MDIA5019

Social Media Management (UoA)

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of the Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$49,700 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$49,700 across the one-year program. No additional non-tuition fees are listed.

How long does the Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies take to complete?

The course has a duration of 52 weeks (approximately one year) and is delivered at the Adelaide City Campus in South Australia.

What field of education does this course fall under?

The Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies falls under the broad field of Society and Culture (09), with a narrow field of Librarianship, Information Management and Curatorial Studies (0913), and a detailed field of Curatorial Studies (091303).

Is this course eligible for Post-Study Work Rights?

This course is not eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights because it is a Graduate Diploma, which is not classified as a Skills Level 1 Qualification (Bachelor, Masters or PhD), one of the key criteria required for eligibility.

Where is the Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies delivered?

The course is delivered at Adelaide University's Adelaide City Campus in Adelaide, South Australia. The campus is owned and operated by the provider, which holds CRICOS Provider Code 04249J.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $70,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $70,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Gallery and Museum CuratorAssistant CuratorCollections ManagerCollections Officer / RegistrarExhibition Coordinator

Key Skills

Museum theory and contemporary curatorial practiceCollection development, management, and registrationExhibition concept, design, and project managementEthical stewardship of cultural property and artefactsAustralian First Nations and Indigenous cultural competencies

Full Course Overview

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