MA Exhibition Studies | Part-time
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Part-time
- Course duration:
- 2 years
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
About this course
Exhibition Studies engages with exhibition formats, through a theoretical and practical understanding of what constitutes an exhibition in the 21st century.
- Follow a curriculum which focuses on exhibition histories from 1850 onwards
- Apply your own expertise, as well as studio practice, to develop research topics through project-based learning
- Benefit from a programme supported by internationally renowned arts organisations, including Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool, FACT, RIBA North and Aarhus University, Denmark
- Enjoy direct benefits from the degree's links to the Exhibition Research Lab and a range of international collaborations and partnerships developed by staff
- Opportunities to participate in Snapshot, a permanent display programme based in the John Lennon Building
- Explore best practice and the very latest in innovative forms of exhibition and curatorial practices
- Benefit from state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities within the modern, purpose-built and RIBA award-winning John Lennon Art and Design Building
- The 2025 Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries (LSACI) MA Online Degree Show
- View and engage with work produced by masters students from the Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries
- Take advantage of the generous Michael Pugh Thomas and Julia Carter Preston Legacy £1000 scholarships offered to postgraduate applicants
The programme considers the history and practice of exhibition culture, specifically the mediation of curatorial projects in galleries and museums, biennials and other survey exhibitions.
As a student, you will be based in the School of Art and Creative Industries, the oldest art school in the UK outside of London.
Additional funding for this programme is available via the Susan Cotton Travel Award and other study bursaries.
Hear from some of our graduates
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Transdisciplinary Practice
30 credits
30 credits
This module is shared by all students studying on taught Art and Design postgraduate programmes.
The Transdisciplinary Practice module concerns the development of your individual practice. It sees you consider, adopt and implement a range of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary methods, to refine, extend, develop and critically reflect upon your own practice. This enables a deeper relationship to one's own practice by seeing it through the lens of other disciplines, and cultivates more sympathetic understanding of the contingencies of other practices and disciplines through the same process.
You will work as individuals or in groups, or establish new relationships and collaborations to produce innovative, visionary and speculative practical outcomes in the context of one or more disciplinary contexts.
The module enables you to propose, plan, organise, publish or promote your work and research. Outcomes could include proposals for applied creative projects, documentary of work in progress, exhibition of work(s), public presentations in symposiums, websites or printed publications.
Learning is predominantly through lectures, reading groups and seminars. You will be introduced to ongoing inter-multi-transdisciplinary projects in the Institute of Art and Technology (IAT) and in the Liverpool City region through guest speakers who will expose you to new ways of working.
Peer review is a crucial part of the practice-based research experience and this is facilitated through student-led and tutor guided studio activities and critical reviews. At this level it is expected that you will show a high degree of motivation and ability to engage in self-directed study, demonstrating a level of scholarship, initiative and problem solving appropriate to Master's degree study.
Studio Practice (Exhibition Studies)
30 credits
30 credits
Studio Practice is a subject specific module, providing an opportunity to share, investigate and contextualise experiences of exhibition making. You will define your existing practice and extend its scope and ambition through a combination of self-initiated or set projects. It aims to:
- Introduce you to the professional practice of exhibition making.
- Develop awareness of core practices, models, and challenges of exhibition making.
- Provide you with technical and critical skills and methodologies relevant to the enhancement of your practice.
Analyse and critically evaluate exhibitionary practices, histories and strategies through specific exhibition case studies.
Research Inquiry
30 credits
30 credits
This module is shared by all students studying on taught Art and Design, MA Cities and Immersive Media postgraduate programmes.
The Research Inquiry module aims to develop and improve your research and analytical skills. Analysis and problem-solving skills are critical to student employability and subsequent success in most types of careers post MA.
Students are immersed in a range of methodological approaches across the arts and social sciences, and will develop an in-depth understanding and knowledge of contemporary approaches to research in their field of study. This will be crucial in laying the foundation for developing their own subsequent projects.
A series of lectures and seminars will introduce you to current and emerging practice in relation to a diverse range of historical, theoretical and critical principles. Seminars will require you to share, discuss and evaluate ideas and practice with others.
You will read and discuss a range of primary and secondary texts in your chosen field(s) to develop critical thinking together with historical and theoretical knowledge.
The module culminates in the successful preparation and delivery of a professional project proposal and accompanying professional presentation.
Major Project (Exhibition Studies)
60 credits
60 credits
This module enables you plan, organise and deliver a major project to act as the summation of your research and practice developed on the programme. Through it you will:
- Conduct an extended independent research project
- Identify appropriate topics and research questions, analyse and structure research material, develop cogent arguments, and maintain effective time and resource management
- Sustain an enquiry over a lengthy period of time and organise a dissertation-length piece of writing (15,000 words) or equivalent practical project plus 8,000-word piece of writing
Critical Discourses- Exhibition Studies
30 credits
30 credits
Significant historic exhibitions, together with key readings, will form the core syllabus of Research & Practice 2 (Exhibition Studies). It aims to:
- Deepen the practice of exhibition research
- Introduce the histories and practices of exhibition-making
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Your studies commence with a full timetable of seminars as you get to grips with your MA and the school-wide collaborative practice module. The main study days for the majority of your MA are Tuesday and Friday with a full week of preparation for the School-wide Masters degree show in April/May.
Teaching methods
The programme is underpinned by the work of the Exhibition Research Lab. It draws on the internationally distinguished expertise of staff and visiting staff engaged in theoretical and applied research in the field of exhibitions studies and curating. There is also collaboration with key cultural local and national institutions.
Applied learning
Operating in close partnership with Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial, FACT (Foundation for Creative Art and Technology) and RIBA North (Royal Institute of British Architects), we can offer our students opportunities to develop public presentations, curatorial projects, and exhibitions in real-life contexts.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
You will be assessed by: coursework, written essays, reports, oral presentations, projects and evaluations. The major project will comprise a written dissertation or practical project (thesis exhibition) and a written report. In most modules, more than one piece of assessment is required. Programme assessment seeks to replicate professional curatorial and exhibition practice.
Where you will study
Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries is housed in the RIBA award winning John Lennon Art and Design Building in the Mount Pleasant Campus and offers extensive studio spaces, lecture theatres and a dedicated public exhibition space.
Course tutors
Dr Hana Leaper is Reader in Histories of Art and Museum Studies and Programme Leader for the MA Exhibition Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. She is Co Director of the Exhibition Research Lab, an innovative gallery and research programme that connects curatorial theory with exhibition practice, experimentation and public engagement.
Hana’s teaching and research are shaped by close collaboration with artists, museums and cultural organisations. She holds an embedded research post with the John Moores Painting Prize, giving students insight into one of the UK’s most significant contemporary art awards and opportunities to engage with live exhibition contexts.
An internationally recognised researcher, Hana co convenes the Post War Painting in Regional Collections research group and is co author of Post 1945 Art Collections and Regional Research Networks: Collaborative Art History (Routledge, 2026). Her work explores how exhibitions are shaped by place, institutions and collaborative networks.
As Programme Leader, Hana is committed to nurturing students as critical, creative and confident exhibition makers. She brings research led teaching, professional practice and a supportive learning environment to the MA, preparing students for careers across museums, galleries, curating and the wider cultural sector.
The development of the students throughout the year is incredible, you can really see how much the course enriches their knowledge of the subject, in particular when they take on an area of specialism and use this for their final project. One of the most delightful aspects is seeing the students perform well when they start working in museums and galleries, then I feel like I've prepared them well for the cultural sector.
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 97% of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Graduates of our MA Exhibition Studies have gone on to work for major cultural institutions, including The Henry Moore Institute (Leeds), British Music Experience (Liverpool), and National Museums Liverpool.
"MA Exhibition Studies is the only degree of its kind in the UK to focus on the craft and culture of exhibitions. I look forward to working with students to develop new and engaging ways of curating, exhibiting and demonstrating the value of art."
Sally Tallant OBE, Executive Director, Queens Museum - New York
Tuition fees and funding
- Part-time per credit:
- £60
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
A minimum 2:1 in a visual arts-related subject (non standard applications and those without a degree will be assessed on the basis of experience), and a reference to be able to demonstrate the ability to benefit from and contribute to the programme
Additional requirements
-
Interview required
To attend an interview
Further information
-
RPL
RPL is accepted on this programme
International requirements
IELTS
IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
Further information
-
RPL
RPL is accepted on this programme
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Whilst we do recommend an interview on campus (to meet with staff and see our facilities), Skype interviews are available if you are unable to come to Liverpool. The interview will assess your suitability for the programme and provide you and the interview panel with the opportunity to gain further information.
During your interview you will need to provide evidence of your learning capability, study opportunity and commitment to a postgraduate programme of study.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.