Course Overview

About This Course

The Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies is a two-year program that challenges existing museum theory and practice, preparing you to craft the journey between artefacts and audiences.
It is delivered in partnership with key South Australian cultural institutions including the South Australian Museum and the History Trust of South Australia, which the university notes can serve as truth-telling for First Nations peoples.
You build skills in collection and exhibition development and in museum and gallery management, and examine the complexities of cultural ownership. The program uses emerging technologies so you develop next-generation skills in digital literacy and creative innovation.
Cross-disciplinary courses across both the Arts and Humanities run alongside specialised museology courses, and electives make up a substantial part of the degree.
The program totals 96 units — 60 units of core courses and 36 units of electives — over two years 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

2 years full-time

Intakes

February, July

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ACM129

International students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
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 you may also like to consider include:
• Exhibition designer
• Exhibition coordinator
• Collections manager
• Archivist
• Curator
• Arts educator

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units24 units

LIBR5003

Making a museum

LIBR5005

The Secret Life of Objects: Museums in Practice

LIBR6005

Museum Studies Minor Research Project

LIBR6004

Curatorial and Museum Studies Research Thesis

ENVI5003

People and Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region

HIST5001

Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (PG)

HIST5002

Rococo to Romanticism: Eighteenth-Century Art (PG)

HIST5004

Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (PG)

MDIA5002

Social Media Management

MDIA5009

Media Relations (UoA) (PG)

LIBR5002

The Exhibition: Concept, Design and Delivery

LIBR5008

Museum collections management

LIBR5901

Museum Internship

ARCH5901

Critical Historical Practices (M)

HIST5010

OL Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (PG)

MARK5000

Marketing

MARK5025

Customer Experience in Services

MARK5030

Digital Media and marketing Communications

MARK6011

Strategic Brand Management (M)

MDIA5011

Immersive Media Design

MDIA5017

Communicating with Impact

MDIA6006

Virtual Reality Design and Development (PG)

PROJ5008

Project Leadership and Communication

PROJ6013

Project Governance and Contracts

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of the Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies at Adelaide University?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$49,700 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$99,400 across the two-year program. No additional non-tuition fees are listed.

How long does the Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies take to complete?

The Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies has a duration of 104 weeks, as listed in the CRICOS registry for this course.

Where is the Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies delivered?

The course is delivered at Adelaide University's Adelaide City Campus, located in Adelaide, South Australia 5005.

Is the Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

The course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights if it meets all required criteria: it must be in 'Registered' status, be a Skills Level 1 qualification (which a Master's degree is), have a duration of 92 weeks or greater (this course is 104 weeks), and its narrow Field of Education must align with the Skills Level 1 priority list. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

What field of education does the Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies fall under?

The course 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 classification of Curatorial Studies (091303).

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 $65,000 to $82,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Career Paths

Curator (Art, History, Science, Natural History, Indigenous)Assistant CuratorCuratorial AssistantCollections ManagerExhibition Designer

Key Skills

Curatorial research and collection analysisExhibition development, design, and project managementCollections management and documentationMuseum theory and critical museologyDigital literacy and virtual/online exhibition creation

Full Course Overview

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