COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Curating course at Essex is structured over three years to combine rigorous academic study with practical curatorial experience, preparing students for careers in museums, galleries, and heritage institutions. In the first year, students build foundational knowledge through core modules such as Writing and Researching Art History, Collect, Curate, Display: A Short History of the Museum, Art and Ideas I, and Introduction to Heritage and Museum Studies. Optional modules allow exploration of wider art history topics or subjects outside the discipline, while the Beyond the BA module develops career and professional skills. In the second year, students deepen their understanding of art and curating with modules including Art and Ideas II, Contemporary Art: 1945 until Now, and a range of compulsory and optional modules, enabling them to tailor their studies toward specific interests in curatorial practice, heritage, and art history. The third year focuses on advanced and professional applications, with core modules such as Art, the Law and the Market, the Capstone project, and Art and Ideas III, providing opportunities to consolidate learning and apply skills in research and exhibition development. Optional modules further allow specialization and in-depth study. Across the three years, students gain critical, analytical, and practical skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for professional roles in curating, heritage, and the wider art world.