Contemporary Curating (MA)

You’ll need a 2.2 degree in arts, design, humanities, curating, art history, exhibition design, management, philosophy, communication, social sciences, marketing, psychology or a related subject.

In your personal statement, please ensure you tell us about your interest in contemporary curating which should include:

• a brief description of a curatorial project you’ve seen in the past year, explaining why this was of interest to you
• if you have curatorial experience, please explain what role you played and the nature of the project

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme. Find out more about Pre-Master's programmes for international students.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning. Your application will be considered on individual merit.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

MA Contemporary Curating programme is studied over one year, full-time, and comprises a mix of core, compulsory and optional modules.

Semester 1 overview

For the full-time programme, taught modules in Semester 1, Curatorial Histories & Contexts, provides the conceptual underpinnings, critical research perspectives and empirical examples to inform your developing position as a curator.

You'll also study Objects and Methods, which emphasises the social significance of objects, and includes practical sessions on handling and display. You will apply this knowledge immediately in practice.  

These are supported by a module in Professional and Academic Skills, which will improve your academic standards and research methods.  

Semester 2 overview

You'll study two core modules in Semester 2: Curatorial Challenges and Experiments, and Curator as Practitioner. The former includes research and delivery of exhibition and/or event outcomes in response to a series of external ’prompts’ or briefs. These involve group work and individual assessment.

The latter, Curator as Practitioner module, considers the work of the curator in a variety of professional contexts; it examines the shape, interconnections and networks of the wider professional sphere.

You will also have the opportunity to select one optional module from a range offered by WSA. Options are subject to change from year to year. You will receive guidance from the Programme Leader in making your optional module selection.

The independent Dissertation or Final Project is undertaken during the summer on successful completion of Semester 2 modules. The emphasis with assessments is on authenticity, and you will be expected to produce, in turn, different kinds of documentation relevant to the devising and delivery of exhibitions and projects.

You will be supported in your development of credible and convincing proposals for independent curatorial projects, realised through either a written dissertation, or applied and contextualised in practice.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You’ll participate in lectures, seminars and you’ll complete both independent study and practical group projects throughout the course. You’ll be expected to work independently on your final project during summer.

You’ll learn through a variety of different activities, including:

• managing an art gallery
• organising exhibitions
• field trips to exhibitions
• independent research
• critical and theoretical writing
• communicating with industry professionals

Assessment

You’ll be assessed by a combination of methods, including:

• group-organised exhibitions
• interim and final project
• essays
• presentations
• seminar research projects

Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment.

Dissertation

You'll need to use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the programme to write a 7,500-word essay.

Academic Support

You'll have a mix of lectures and guided seminars during your first 2 semesters and then work over the summer on a final project.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £11,000.
• EU and international students pay £28,700.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. 

If you study part-time, you may not be eligible for this loan. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

There are 40 scholarships available to international students applying to study an undergraduate or postgraduate master's degree in an arts or humanities subject. Successful applicants will get £10,000 towards their tuition fees.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Winchester School of Art Inclusive Futures Scholarship

This scholarship supports talented students who face financial, social, or structural barriers to postgraduate study, helping ease financial pressure so they can focus on their creative work and bring diverse perspectives to our community.

Successful applicants will have 50% of their tuition fees paid for the duration of their course.

Learn more about the Winchester School of Art Inclusive Futures Scholarship and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Wednesday 26 August 2026, midday UK time
• UK students: Wednesday 9 September 2026, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000