Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 36 months
- 3-4 years
- Part-time
- 72 months
- 6-8 years
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting January 2027
- Apply before Nov 2026, International This is an estimated deadline for all other students. If a National or EEA/EU deadline listed here covers your citizenship, that one applies to you instead.
- Apply before Feb 2027, International This is an estimated deadline for all other students. If a National or EEA/EU deadline listed here covers your citizenship, that one applies to you instead.
- Apply before Mar 2027, National This is an estimated deadline. The deadline applies if you have the same nationality as the university.
We recommend that you apply as soon as you are able to as courses may occasionally close early.
Language
English
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Colchester, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Area & Cultural Studies; Museum Studies
Overview
Only instead of resulting in a book-length thesis of roughly 80,000 words, this degree culminates in you curating a major, research-based exhibition and writing a complementary thesis of c. 40,000 words.
The premise underlying this PhD is that exhibitions constitute one of the most important platforms for sharing research – a platform that may be complemented by rigorous written research, but one that reaches audiences and makes arguments not possible through writing alone.
As part of the PhD Curating from University of Essex, you investigate a topic of your choosing. This topic may relate to the history and theory of curating. However, you can also explore other facets of visual culture, opting instead to use curating as the vehicle for presenting your research. Regardless of your topic, you critically assess the impact of your research, both on the history of visual culture and on contemporary discourses concerning the production, distribution and reception of exhibitions.
Your future
Most of the successful graduates are now working in academic institutions, in museums or galleries, or in other arts-related professions, both throughout the UK and abroad. Several graduates are now Professors in leading art history departments, such as York and CUNY, while others have worked as curators at high-profile museums such as the Tate Modern, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), or the Royal Academy of Arts (London).
Programme Structure
The practical dimension of this PhD enables you to develop your skills as a curator. To this end, you will conceive of an exhibition from start to finish, with key deliverables that include:
- preparing a preliminary curatorial plan of your chosen exhibition project;
- finding a venue;
- implementing a promotional plan;
- developing an education programme; preparing the different components of the exhibition;
- organising shipping; mounting and installing artworks or other objects on display (some or all of which may be loans);
- and, finally, presenting your exhibition to the public.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Other requirements
General requirements
- You will need a good Masters degree or equivalent, in a related subject. A well-developed research proposal, normally around 2,000 words is also essential.
- You may be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.
- If English is not your first language, then they will require you to have IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
International
Applies to you. Non-residents. 39,253 AUD / year (≈ 20,625 GBP / year)
Domestic
Applies to you. Citizens or residents. 9,527 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)
Additional Details
Part-time:
- Home/UK fee - £2,503 per year
- International fee - £10,313 per year
Living costs
Colchester, United Kingdom
1,256-2,170 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.