About the course

Our four-year BA Curating (including foundation year), will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entrance requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that increases your subject knowledge as well as improves your academic skills in order to support your academic performance. Our five-year version of this course enables you to study abroad during your fourth year of study.

　　This course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further three years of study, or a further four years if you choose the five year course, including a study abroad year. During your Year Zero, you study three academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module, with additional English language for non-English speakers.

　　After successful completion of Year Zero in our Essex Pathways Department, you progress to complete your course with our School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies.

　　Our BA Curating combines classroom-based learning with hands-on experience in museums and galleries. Within the classroom, you gain an overview of major developments in art history – something essential for any budding curator. You will also learn about the history and theory of exhibition design, with a particular emphasis on how curatorial choices shape our experiences while viewing artworks and the other objects on display in museums and galleries.

　　The Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA), Europe’s largest collection of Latin American art, will offer you a place to experiment with installing artworks. Besides getting your feet wet with the more tactical aspects of installing art, these experiences will open your eyes to how curatorial decisions transform the kinds of stories that artworks tell when displayed alongside others.

　　The visual arts and culture industries have become an increasingly significant part of the national and international economy, and our graduates leave Essex with the skills to take advantage of this growing opportunity.

　　The sectors with jobs best suited for students with a BA in curating include museums, galleries and auction houses. Within these sectors, you can pursue a career in curation, museum education, programming, or sales and marketing. Our degree also equips you with foundational skills to run your own gallery, to work as a PR agent, or to work in the fields of fashion, publishing or events management.

　　To help our students acquire the particular skills they need to gain employment in the museum and gallery sector – the single-most important area in which our students will seek jobs – we offer numerous modules dedicated to the histories, theories and practices of museums, exhibitions and galleries. Additionally, we give you the chance to think creatively and proactively about life after university through our curatorial employability module. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 5 Year(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Autumn (October), 2025	Colchester

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for University of Essex

All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you

　　think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course,

　　have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC),

　　are returning to university after some time away from education, or

　　are looking for more support during the transition into university study.

　　Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.

　　Examples of the above tariff may include:

　　A-levels: DDD

　　BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP

　　T-levels: Pass with E in core

　　IELTS 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component

　　TOEFL (IBT)- 72 overall, with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

　　

English language requirements

　　5.5

　　Overall IELTS band score

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　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 72.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomes

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　301st / 1250

　　THE World ranking32nd / 130

　　Complete University guide

　　

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