Art, Aesthetics and Cultural Institutions MA at University of Liverpool

This exciting interdisciplinary master's programme combines philosophical aesthetics, art theory and hands-on experience in galleries and museums, thereby bringing together both theoretical and practical interests. It is specifically designed to equip students with the competence to pursue either a doctorate programme in the Arts and Humanities, or a professional career in the cultural sector.

In addition to traditionally taught modules, students also benefit from research-led teaching a two-week practical placement with one of our cultural partners in the city. The programme also offers the opportunity to apply for a three-month studentship with Tate Liverpool, exclusively offered to our students.

The programme is structured around four compulsory core modules: Main Topics in the theory of art, in which members of staff lead weekly seminars on their own current research; Cultural Institutions, which takes places at a range of collaborating cultural institutions around the city, including the University’s Victoria Gallery and Museum; Research, Employability, and Professional Skills and placement, supported by the careers and employability service and our cultural partners, and a supervised dissertation or case study over the summer. Students also take three elective modules chosen from a list of relevant modules available in the Department and across the University.

Career prospects

Our programmes aim to equip students with the general and widely applicable analytical, argumentative, and problem-solving skills valued by employers. By placing emphasis on the intersection between philosophical research and curatorial practice, this programme especially equips graduates for further academic research and an international career in the arts. While some of our postgraduate students have gone on to a career in academic Philosophy, other career destinations of our graduates include business, curating, cultural management, the media, the civil service and education.

Our programmes aim to equip students with the general and widely applicable analytical, argumentative, and problem-solving skills valued by employers. By placing emphasis on the intersection between philosophical research and curatorial practice, this programme especially equips graduates for further academic research and an international career in the arts. While some of our postgraduate students have gone on to a career in academic Philosophy, other career destinations of our graduates include business, curating, cultural management, the media, the civil service and education.