Why Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies?
Step into a world of culture, working within the vibrant landscape of museums and galleries.
Curate captivating exhibitions. Preserve priceless artefacts. Engage with diverse communities to recover cultural ownership. Shape how society interacts with culture and make a difference in the heritage sector.
Unlock your inner curator. From ancient relics to cutting-edge digital installations – you’ll learn to create engaging narratives with our Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies.
Bring history, art and culture to the world with a qualification from Adelaide University.
Overview
Museums are vibrant and evolving cultural institutions. Our innovative diploma pushes the boundaries of traditional museum theory and practice, encouraging new perspectives and approaches.
The Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies is rooted in core museology courses. Be guided by professionals from key Adelaide institutions including the South Australian Museum. Learn how to effectively communicate to a range of audiences through culturally relevant exhibitions.
Foster meaningful cultural exchanges between individuals and cultural institutions. Discover how to ethically develop exhibitions through careful curation, and how to utilise digital technologies to display, interpret and communicate artefacts to diverse groups of people.
Develop key competencies through world-class cultural institutions, guest lectures and a potential internship. Connect with experts in the local and global industry and carve a path in this specialist field. Graduate ready to shape the way our world collects and exhibits art, artefacts and technologies.
Key features
Learn to develop engaging collections and exhibitions.- Grow your expertise in museum and gallery management.
- Engage with Australian First Nations perspectives on cultural preservation and representation in museums.
- Take advantage of site visits and guest lectures in Adelaide’s world-class cultural institutions.
- Develop next-generation skills in digital literacy and creative innovation.
- Create strong professional links and networks with museum and heritage experts.
What you'll learn
Our Graduate Diploma in Curatorial and Museum Studies is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the contemporary curatorial landscape. Over one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent), you’ll explore issues of cultural ownership and museum and gallery management, as well as tailored courses through specialised electives.
Access Adelaide’s world-class cultural institutions. Explore contemporary museum theory and curatorial practices. Acquire an advanced understanding of a chosen cultural area of museum studies, based on your career aspirations. Discover the nature of modern collections and their purpose and context in modern museology theory.
You’ll also broaden your knowledge by studying modern Australian museum collections. With a focus on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections and exhibits, you’ll develop cultural competencies and debate issues on cultural ownership and colonial appropriation.
To successfully complete this program, you will also be required to complete elective courses. A broad range of electives as available, from Australian Indigenous Languages to Renaissance art in Northern Europe. You could choose to focus on media relations, archiving or art censorship – or even complete an internship in a museum or art gallery. Along the way, you’ll develop your skills in museum practice by engaging with professionals in museum settings, building important networks in the sector.
What courses you'll study
Complete 48 units comprising:
- 24 units for Core courses, and
- 24 units for Electives
Complete 24 units comprising:
- 24 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Making a museum
|
Course code
LIBR5003
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
The Secret Life of Objects: Museums in Practice
|
Course code
LIBR5005
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Making a museum
|
Course code
LIBR5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
The Secret Life of Objects: Museums in Practice
|
Course code
LIBR5005
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 24 units comprising:
- 24 units from Program electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
From Genealogies to Genetics
|
Course code
HIST5000
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Rococo to Romanticism: Eighteenth-Century Art (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5002
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5004
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5005
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Writing History
|
Course code
HIST5003
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
The History of the Family
|
Course code
HIST6000
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Media Relations (UoA) (PG)
|
Course code
MDIA5009
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Museum collections management
|
Course code
LIBR5008
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Museum Internship
|
Course code
LIBR5901
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Museum Studies Minor Research Project
|
Course code
LIBR6005
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
People and Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region
|
Course code
ENVI5003
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
The Archive
|
Course code
LIBR5001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
The Exhibition: Concept, Design and Delivery
|
Course code
LIBR5002
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
OL Renaissance Art in Northern Europe (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5010
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
OL Rococo to Romanticism: Eighteenth-Century Art (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5009
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
OL Digital Exhibition Project: Art History (PG)
|
Course code
HIST5008
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Social Media Management (UoA)
|
Course code
MDIA5019
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Making a museum
|
Course code
LIBR5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
The Secret Life of Objects: Museums in Practice
|
Course code
LIBR5005
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Play a vital role in enriching cultural heritage and preservation as a graduate of this program. You could manage the organisation, care and documentation of museum collections. You might focus on preserving and promoting cultural heritage sites and artefacts. Maybe you’ll inspire children and teens, developing educational and public engagement programs.
Careers also include roles as a:
- Marketing officer
- Art gallery education officer
- Art historian
- Asset manager
- Archivist
- Museum education officer.
Keen to deepen your knowledge? Continue your studies and complete our Master of Curatorial and Museum Studies.
Industry trends
Australian museums are addressing issues related to cultural ownership, particularly regarding First Nations artefacts (The Research Perspectives of Australian Museums & Galleries, 2024). This includes discussions around repatriation and ethical stewardship of collections, as institutions strive to build trust and respect with First Nations communities. With Adelaide University you’ll work to continue these strong bonds between creating culturally sensitive and appropriate exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
