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.

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.

Course Practicalities
Lectures take place over six months from September to March, with an average of six class hours each week. 24 hours of independent study per module is required, and a 1-week fieldwork module in Semester 2 (UCC will provide students with a scholarship to cover select fieldwork costs).

The History of Art department will arrange all work placements for students: these placements 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.

The course, delivered in two parts, is taken over three semesters. Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I

DH6004: Conceptual Introduction to Digital Arts & Humanities (5 Credits)
HA6019: Research Methods & Sources for Global Gallery Studies (10 Credits)
HA6023: Cultural Institutions in Practice (10 Credits)
HA6024: Global Contemporary Art (10 Credits)
HA6025: Global Galleries Fieldwork (5 Credits)
HA6026: Global Galleries: History, Theory and Practice (10 Credits)
HA6027: Project-Led Gallery Internship (10 credits)
Part II

HA6028: Research Dissertation in Global Gallery Studies (30 credits)
Students write a 15,000-word research dissertation on an approved topic of their choice relevant to Global Galleries Studies. The main period for dissertation work is June to September.

For more information on course content please see the University Calendar (MAGGS).

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

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. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure 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.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.
2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? 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 should be a previous supervisor of studies.

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

Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this programme

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