Global Gallery Studies

Course Outline
Our MA in Global Gallery Studies (MAGGS) is a unique accelerated programme that prepares you for a career in the gallery sector and/or in fine arts institutions in Ireland and abroad. The programme is offered by History of Art, UCC in association with The Glucksman art gallery and the Department of Digital Arts & Humanities. It emphasises learning in both the theoretical and real-world realms. Dr Mary Kelly, Programme Director of this innovative MA Global Gallery Studies programme, notes:

"We offer mentorship to our students and we prepare them for a career in the gallery sector…We explore the term 'global' both theoretically and geographically. Through these lenses we pursue the investigation of various galleries, art and curatorial practices from countries and regions around the world.

Throughout semesters one and two, in addition to lectures delivered by UCC faculty, we also have numerous guest lectures on MAGGS delivered by national and international gallery practitioners including: curators of exhibitions, curators of engagement and learning, curators of gallery talks and public programmes, artist representatives, artists, art critics, art collectors and gallery directors. MAGGS creates a bridge between academia and gallery practitioners...".

Our students engage with theoretical modules including an introduction to global gallery studies, art history for curators and digital arts and humanities, as well as practice-based modules including cutting-edge learning experiences with The Glucksman art gallery, fieldwork and networking in international galleries, and a project-led internship with a prominent fine art gallery in Ireland or internationally. Students also receive a scholarship to cover select international fieldwork travel expenses incurred during the Global Galleries Fieldwork module (HA6025).

This programme will expose you to critical and practical skills prized by the Arts sector as well provide you with a comprehensive understanding of 21st-century gallery practices across diverse geographical borders and cultural traditions.

Why Choose This Course
This programme gives you the chance to engage with various theoretical modules as well as practice-based modules including cutting-edge learning experiences with The Glucksman (UCC's award-winning on-campus gallery), fieldwork in international galleries, and the opportunity to take a project-led internship with a prominent fine art gallery in Ireland or internationally.

Our programme has a genuine global emphasis that embraces global gallery culture beyond Europe and America and includes the United Arab Emirates and China.

In addition to being taught by established expert practitioners, we facilitate network opportunities both nationally and internationally, subsequently exposing our graduates to active employers and potential employment opportunities. Furthermore, responding to industry requirements, we collaborate with the Department of Digital Arts & Humanities who contribute to the delivery of the programme.

Connected Curriculum
Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as art, cultures, technology, and languages. UCC faculty include:

Dr Mary Kelly (née Healy), Programme Director, History of Art, UCC
Dr Carlos Garrido Castellano, Lecturer, Department of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies, UCC
Professor Fiona Kearney, Director, The Glucksman
Chris Clarke, Senior Curator: Exhibitions + Collections, The Glucksman
Dr Orla Murphy, Lecturer, Digital Arts & Humanities, UCC
Tadhg Crowley, Senior Curator of Education & Community, The Glucksman

MAGGS also includes numerous guest lectures delivered by national and international gallery practitioners including curators of exhibitions, curators of engagement and learning, curators of gallery talks and public programmes, artist representatives, artists, art critics, art collectors, and/or gallery directors.

Global Galleries Fieldwork (HA6025) information:
Students undertake group international fieldwork of one-week duration, which is led by a member of faculty. Fieldwork locations can include the United Arab Emirates or China or USA or various European countries. The fieldwork location is established in Semester 1 and students will receive a scholarship to cover select travel expenses for this module.

Project-Led Gallery Internship (HA6027) information:
Students undertake 1 x project-led gallery internship of four weeks duration, where they will learn aspects of gallery practice as well as the opportunity to work on a particular project. The module comprises taught workshops in Semesters 1 & 2, and internships commence towards the end of Semester 2 (March/April). History of Art arranges all internships for our MA GGS students.

Requirements
A candidate for this MA programme must normally hold an honours Bachelor degree, Second Class Honours Grade I (or equivalent), in Arts and Humanities or equivalent international qualification.

Candidates who hold a Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours Grade II (or equivalent) may also be considered subject to review by MA in Global Gallery Studies (MA GGS) selection committee.

As part of the application process, candidates must submit a statement of purpose (500 words) acceptable to the MA GGS selection committee, detailing their interest in the programme, and their particular research interests and methodologies to date, and their future professional goals.

In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, candidates who hold a primary degree other than Second Class Honours, and who demonstrate a high level of significant and relevant experience, may also be eligible for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

All candidates are subject to an interview and must satisfy a selection committee.

Garda Clearance
All students on this programme will require Garda Clearance in order to attend student placements. University College Cork has made arrangements with the Gardaí in relation to Garda Clearance procedures. All candidates who register on this programme will be required to complete and sign Garda Vetting Forms and return them to the University.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country here.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.

For more information please contact the International Office.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

Please detail your research interests.

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please submit a copy of a short analytical/critical/report writing sample or essay (1,000 words approx.) The essay should be an example of your writing related to art or the gallery spaces.

After the online application is submitted, applicants will be required to add the name and email address of 2 referees and send Reference requests via the Application Portal. One shoudl be a previous supervisor of studies.

All candidates are subject to an interview and must satisfy a selection committee.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June.

The taught modules are examined through continuous assessment, using a combination of presentations, essays and projects. The work placements are assessed by a Placement Report Portfolio, while the dissertation requires the submission of a 15,000 word written dissertation.

1 year full-time; 2 years part-time.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €7,500.
The Non-EU fee for this course is €15,000.

Additional costs:

Internship module: internships are unpaid and the costs of participation in terms of travel and accommodation expenses are borne by the student, and will vary depending on the location of the gallery concerned.

Start Date: 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
We support the gallery profession through entry-level training and continuing professional development of existing staff. Career pathways include:

Administrator/Gallery Assistant
Archive Digitisation (Gallery website content creation, maintenance, and development, including social media integration).
Artist Advisor
Creative Industries
Critical Writing
Cultural Tourism
Curator of Online Collections
Development Officer
Editorial Departments
Exhibitions Curator
Gallery/Art Consultancy
Global Outreach Officer
Heritage and the Arts
Programmes and Education Curator/Officer
Research in the Arts