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Postgraduate

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies


College
Central Saint Martins
Start date
September 2024
Course length
Two years (60 weeks)
Extended full-time

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies examines the history of contemporary art through key developments in the exhibition form.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

In addition to the selection of art and mode of address, you will consider the wider social conditions and impact exhibitions can have on those who experience them. The MRes Art course is part of the Art programme.

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins

  • Collaboration with Afterall: MRes Art: Exhibition Studies is delivered in conjunction with Afterall, the art research and publishing organisation based at Central Saint Martins. You will have unique access to resources as well as its network of contributors and collaborating institutions. These include high-profile curators and theorists.
  • Enhance your research skills: You will have dedicated training on research methods and methodologies, allowing you to proceed onto further academic research and to deploy those skills in a professional context.
  • Research community: You will be part of a wider research community within Central Saint Martins. The College has its own, dedicated research group which brings together theorists, artists and curators who are investigating the exhibition form.
  • Debate your work with professionals: You will have the chance to direct and participate in a group event with invited professionals. This will build your professional skills and provide a discussion forum, challenging you to recognise and debate key questions arising from your research project work.

Course overview

MRes Art is made up of three specialist pathways: Theory and Philosophy; Moving Image; and Exhibition Studies. MRes Art uses research and writing to develop modes of questioning, speculative thinking and critical evaluation. Drawing upon a wealth of scholarly expertise from the staff team, visiting lecturers and practitioners, the course considers the relationship of contemporary art research to wider aesthetic, cultural and socio-political issues.   

There are opportunities for students on each pathway to come together for shared taught components. You will also be encouraged to develop student-led activities. In the past, our students have collaborated on research events and publications, as well as the annual Tate Exchange programme at Tate Modern.  

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies draws on the pioneering Exhibition Histories publication series produced by Afterall. On this pathway, you will be encouraged to think of the exhibition as an entry point to the study of contemporary art. You will consider not just the selection of art, the handling of time and space or platform and modes of address, but also wider social implications of the “being in public” of artworks.  

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies takes exhibitions to mean not just conventional gallery or museum shows. Instead, it considers all kinds of artistic presentations, presence and engagement, manifestos, publications, festivals and other formats through which art encounters its publics. You will research, document and critically analyse these forms. This will allow you to work on new narratives which go beyond the art-historical in order to account for the intricacies of these moments of exchange. 

On this pathway, you will engage with recent debates about modern and contemporary art in the context of public presentations of art. You will also explore key concepts and critical theories in a variety of fields. The pathway asks two core questions: can we tell a different story of modern and contemporary art through its exhibitions? And, what do the histories of exhibitions tell us about the wider cultural field in which artworks are produced and made public? The aim is to develop your ability to interpret, analyse and critique a range of methods in exhibition-making. You will develop visual analysis skills through the examination of works of art as presented in exhibitions of varying form.

We are committed to developing ethical art practices. To achieve this, we are working to embed UAL's Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

Course units

On MRes Art: Exhibition Studies, teaching in the first year will cover methodologies and research skills. It will also engage you in the specialist subject of exhibition studies. In parallel with this, you will prepare for a personally directed programme of study, your research project. In the second year, the emphasis shifts towards independent study and student-led engagement. You will pursue and realise your final research project. Throughout your studies, you will receive support through tutorials, workshops, group critiques and discussions.  

This pathway focuses on significant exhibitions from the early 20th century to the present. You will become familiar with the history of mainstream practices, such as the development of the white cube into a default curatorial trope. In addition, you will also pay close attention to alternative articulations of the exhibition form. This includes the large and the small, institutional and otherwise. MRes Art: Exhibition Studies promotes the idea that research should not only cover biennales and mega-shows operating at a global scale. It calls for more analysis and documentation of the under-explored exhibition histories of the global south and the peripheral north.  

You will also examine archetypal figures within exhibition-making. These include the professional curator, the globetrotting artist, the cultural producer, the dealer and the corporate patron or collector. Through their relationships, you will study the worldwide networks and power hierarchies that shape exhibition practices. You will also focus on alternative relationships which influence the public exhibition. This includes those of solidarity, resistance, protest and experimentation.

Unit 1: Exhibition Histories: Art in the Public Sphere 

This unit will introduce you to the subject of exhibition histories. Through seminars and lectures, it serves to ground your knowledge of the key developments in the history of exhibitions. The unit is split into two thematic parts: Doing Exhibition Studies and From the Universal to the Global. Doing Exhibition Studies will introduce you to significant debates and methodological approaches in the field. From the Universal to the Global traces key developments in the exhibition form from the early 20th century to the present. You will pay particular attention to the shifting geographies of exchange and influence which have shaped these developments.  

Unit 2: Methodologies and Methods I

Unit 2 is an opportunity for all the students in the MRes Art course to study together. The unit has two distinct components: methodologies and methods. Methodologies aims to make you aware of a range of methodological approaches that have shaped debates in your field of study. Methods aims to equip you with essential research skills.  

Unit 3: Methodologies and Methods II

This unit deepens your understanding of theoretical debates by testing them in a professional context. The unit is designed around a practical research project. You will work with your peers, either within an art institution or within Afterall. Projects might involve, but are not restricted to, primary research or the organisation of public events in online and physical spaces.

Unit 4: Individual Research Project

Unit 4 has two parts. Part one is focused on the preparation of your individual research project proposal. Lectures in this part of the unit centre on key issues and problems that pertain to the study of exhibitions. These may include publics, institutions temporality, space, design and narrative. Your research project can focus on a single exhibition or a group of related exhibitions that afford interesting comparisons; a complete institutional programme; or a broader subject-centred study.  

Part two is devoted to independent study and the development and completion of your research project. You will present and discuss your project proposal at a symposium shared across the three MRes pathways. You will also have the opportunity to organise a student-directed group event at the end of the unit. Here you will present your project outcome aims to make potential contributions to the area of exhibition studies. This also provides opportunities for publication or other professional opportunities.  

Important note concerning academic progression through your course: 

If you are required to retake a unit you will need to cease further study on the course until you have passed the unit concerned. Once you have successfully passed this unit, you will be able to proceed onto the next unit. Retaking a unit might require you to take time out of study, which could affect other things such as student loans or the visa status for international students. 

Mode of study 

MRes Art is offered in extended full-time mode which runs for 60 weeks over two academic years. You will be expected to commit 30 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.  

The course has been designed in this way to enable you to pursue studies, while also undertaking part-time employment, internships or care responsibilities.  

Credit and award requirements 

The course is credit-rated at 180 credits.  

On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Research (MRes degree).  

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an MRes is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the MRes but the classification of the award is derived from the marks for the third and fourth units.  

If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits. 

Learning and teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods devised for this course include: 

  • Briefing materials, written guidance and meetings
  • Inductions and workshops
  • Lectures and guest speakers 
  • Project proposal document for individual programme of study
  • Project opportunities
  • Off-site, site-specific and collaborative project opportunities 
  • Personal and group tutorials 
  • Seminars and symposium 
  • Presentations and discussion forums 
  • Recommended reading, viewing and visits 
  • Independent study 
  • Self-critical and peer evaluation 
  • Assessment feedback

Facilities

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£6,665 per year

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£16,130 per year

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows: 

  • An honours degree
  • Or an equivalent EU/international qualification. 

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: 

  • Related academic or work experience 
  • The quality of the personal statement 
  • A strong academic or other professional reference 

Or a combination of these factors. 

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case. 

English language requirements 

IELTS level 7.0 or above, with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage). 

Selection criteria

We select applicants according to potential and current ability in the following areas:

  • Evidence of skills and experience appropriate to the proposed field of enquiry
  • Effective communication of the intentions and issues in the proposal
  • The level of contextual awareness
  • Awareness of the range and nature of challenges implied.

The interview: for those applicants selected following submission of the form, indicative proposal and supporting work. The interview is used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate demonstrates:

  • The capacity for independent research
  • Appropriate background knowledge and critical abilities
  • Awareness of the cultural and social context within which their interests/work is situated
  • Appropriate communication skills
  • A preparedness to participate collaboratively in debate and presentation.

What we are looking for

We are seeking imaginative, resourceful individuals who are committed to exploring art discourses.

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Study proposal advice

Please provide a summary of your study proposal (800 - 1000 words).

It should:

  • describe what you are interested in undertaking and developing for your major project, including overall aims, objectives and rationale
  • explain your proposed approach and the methods for structuring your project and ideas
  • highlight any problems you may encounter and how you hope to solve them
  • indicate any key texts and sources
  • include examples of previous written work and/or documentary material that is relevant to your research interests.

Please note, your proposal serves to inform your application and we understand that your ideas will inevitably develop and change throughout your studies.

Step 2: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

Our Postgraduate Art Programme offers valuable opportunities to build transferable professional knowledge and skills. The exchange of perspectives with others through shared units, reading groups and debates helps establish stimulating and productive networks.

The focus on proposing and developing a major independent programme of study is supported by a shared professional practice lecture series featuring guest speakers plus opportunities to attend symposia and critique work in progress across subject areas. The Postgraduate Art Programme has wide-ranging links with professional organisations, collections and galleries, and includes opportunities for interaction and networking according to your personal career direction.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies is unique in its relationship with Afterall, the high-profile international art publishers based at CSM. MRes Art: Exhibition Studies is spearheaded by academic expertise within the Afterall team and benefits from the professional international networking opportunities created by publishing projects. Publications include the Afterall journal and the 'Exhibition Histories' series of books - these can provide opportunities for student involvement in professional practice as well as relevant contacts for individual research and career development.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies equips you to understand the history of contemporary art practice through a new prism - one that reflects your practice as writer, artist or curator. You'll be able to analyse the evolution and influence of the curator and the institution in contemporary art practice, to examine critically strategies of display (both from an artistic and curatorial perspective), and to articulate thought critically.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies graduates will be particularly well qualified to engage in professional research and publication activities and to initiate postgraduate research projects for MPhil or PhD. Career development opportunities exist in a wide range of roles and directions within contemporary arts institutions, businesses, museums and collections, both in London and internationally.