Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership

There are three entry points depending on your prior qualifications: a 2-year program (96 UOC) for applicants with a Bachelor's degree in any field with a UNSW credit average (65%); a 1.7-year program (72 UOC) for applicants with a Bachelor's degree in a related field with a credit average; and a 1-year program (48 UOC) for applicants with an Honours degree in a related field. Applicants without a bachelor's degree or with a degree completed more than 10 years ago may be admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

The program offers hands-on experience through curatorial studios and industry-engaged courses. Previous partners include the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, City of Sydney, Biennale of Sydney, Campbelltown Arts Centre and Sydney Contemporary. Students can also engage with the International Visiting Curators Program run by UNSW Galleries or join the World Biennales course, which includes a two-week intensive international study tour visiting two to three major exhibitions in Europe or Asia.

Several scholarships support Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership students. The Nick Waterlow Curatorial Scholarship is established to support one exceptional student each year to undertake the program. The Freedman Curatorial Scholarship is established to encourage and support current students enrolled in a UNSW Art & Design coursework degree program. International students may also be eligible for the UNSW Art & Design International Scholarship - Coursework, which was established to encourage international practising artists and designers to study at UNSW Art & Design.

For domestic students, Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available, with a 2026 indicative CSP first year fee of $11,500 and an indicative CSP fee to complete the degree of $22,500. For domestic full-fee paying students, the 2026 indicative first year full fee is $39,000 and the indicative full fee to complete the degree is $80,000. For international students, the 2026 indicative first year fee is $48,500 and the indicative fee to complete the degree is $101,500. All fees are subject to annual review and are a guide only.

Graduates are prepared to lead, innovate and influence across a wide range of curatorial, exhibition, policy and arts management contexts. Jobs in curating are projected to grow by 2.1% over the next five years, with museum curator salaries in Australia averaging $110,000 per year (Seek, 2026). Potential career roles include curator, artistic director, cultural policy advisor, gallery manager, museum director, exhibition designer, arts program manager, cultural producer, heritage officer, and writer/editor, among others. Alumni have secured roles at leading institutions including the Smithsonian, Carriageworks and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS).