Museum Studies University of Aberdeen

A PhD in Museum Studies allows students to embrace their interests in museums and galleries, as well as in heritage and collections. Museum Studies is an interdisciplinary field and students at Aberdeen can draw as on the expertise of staff from a wide range of disciplines including Anthropology, Education, Philosophy, and Politics, as well as on the internationally important collections of the University Museums.

The PhD in Museum Studies is a research degree that is available as a campus-based or distance learning option. It requires the candidate to make an original and significant contribution to the discipline of Museum Studies. Holding a Masters degree is normally a qualification for entry and applicants will ideally have some professional experience of working in museums.

A student’s programme of work will be based on their own intellectual interests and will be developed in consultation with the student’s supervisors. The final product of the PhD is a thesis; this will be judged by two examiners and the candidate will be subject to an oral examination (the viva).

Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the Programme Director Professor Alison Brown in order to develop an original and feasible research project that can be completed within a typical three year programme of full-time study or six years of part-time study. Applicants with only an undergraduate degree should contact the Programme Director for advice prior to making an application.

Museum Studies is an interdisciplinary field and so a supervisory team may involve a member of staff from outside of the School of Social Science, though it is expected that the primary supervisor will be in Social Science. Many staff across the University have interests in museums and collections-based research. Potential applicants are advised to browse the list of staff below and are strongly encouraged to contact the Programme Director, Professor Alison Brown, about their research aims before making an application so that a suitable supervisory team can be identified.