How to Become a Museum Curator in the UK
Museum curators look after collections: researching objects, planning displays and exhibitions, writing labels and catalogues, handling acquisitions and loans, and working with conservators, learning teams and the public.
It is a competitive field. Most curators have a degree in a subject linked to the collection, often a master's in museum studies or a specialist subject, plus volunteering or paid experience in a museum.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £30,000
- Mid-career salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £75,000
- Work environment
- Office, community or institutional setting
- Time to entry
- 3 - 6 years (often MA)
- Degree required
- Usually required
- Category
- Public Sector and Emergency Services
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What a Museum Curator does
Look after collections, lead research and design exhibitions in museums and galleries.
How to become a museum curator in the UK
The usual path is a degree in a relevant subject (history, art history, archaeology, natural sciences), then museum experience through volunteering, internships, collections assistant or visitor services roles. Many curators also take an MA in museum studies or their specialism. You then apply for assistant curator posts and work up. Some museums run paid traineeships, and the Museums Association's AMA professional development scheme helps you progress once you are working in the sector.
- Study a subject that matches the collections you want to work with, such as history, art history, archaeology or a natural science.
- Volunteer regularly at a museum, gallery, archive or heritage site, ideally with collections or documentation work.
- Get a first paid role as a collections assistant, documentation assistant or museum assistant.
- Consider an MA in museum studies or your specialism; many assistant curator posts ask for one.
- Apply for assistant curator roles, and build research, exhibition and writing experience.
- Join the Museums Association and work towards the AMA, then progress to curator and senior curator.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree, volunteering, then assistant roles | 3-6 years | Tuition fee loan | The most common route |
| MA in museum studies | 1 year full-time | Postgraduate fees | Graduates moving into museums |
| Paid museum traineeship | Usually 1 year | Paid | People without the money for unpaid work |
| Specialist expertise first | Varies | Varies | Scientists, collectors and academics |
How long it takes
Expect three to six years from starting a degree to your first assistant curator post, including time volunteering and in entry-level museum jobs.
Museum Curator salary in the UK
Assistant curators in the UK typically earn £24,000-£30,000, curators £32,000-£45,000, and senior curators and heads of collections at national and large regional museums £50,000-£75,000. Pay is usually on council or museum salary scales and is higher at national museums and in London.
Key skills
- Subject expertise
- Research
- Writing
- Exhibition design
- Stakeholder mgmt
Museum Curator FAQs
What qualifications do you need to be a museum curator?
A degree in a subject related to the collections is usually expected, and many curator jobs also ask for a master's in museum studies or the specialism. Museum experience, often from volunteering, matters as much as the qualification.
How much does a museum curator earn in the UK?
Assistant curators typically earn £24,000-£30,000, curators £32,000-£45,000, and senior curators and heads of collections £50,000-£75,000.
Can you become a curator without a degree?
It is rare. A few museums offer traineeships and apprenticeships, and some people with deep specialist knowledge move in later in their careers, but most curator posts ask for a degree.
Is it hard to get a job as a museum curator?
Yes. Posts are limited and competitive. Regular volunteering, a specialism that matches the collection and writing or research experience give you the best chance.
Is Museum Curator right for you?
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