MA in Museum Studies (Joint Degree with SOAS)

​Overview​

The Joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies is a program offered by Effat University and SOAS University of London​ in collaboration with the Museums Commission. This collaboration was the result of the Museums Commission’s efforts to ensure that Saudis are equipped with the skills needed for careers in museums. 

The Program aims to prepare its graduates for careers in museums. The graduates of the program understand the roles of museums, can assess the theoretical and methodological approaches to the museum environment, can take the role of curators and can communicate and engage with diverse museum audiences. These graduates will assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving its mission to protect and promote the heritage of Saudi Arabia; and its vision to establish museums as centers for cultural and social engagement for citizens, residents and visitors.​​

The educational objectives of the Joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies are to:

1. Demonstrate critical awareness of the local and global role of museums

2. Assess theoretical and methodological approaches to the museum environment

3. Evaluate the role of the museum curator

4. Reflect on how to engage museum audiences​
   

Below are some of the potential career opportunities for graduates of the Joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies Program:

• Curator at a museum
  
• Collections manager
• Records Manager
• Museum or Gallery Manager
  
• Tour Guide
• Archivist
• Engagement Manager
• Researcher in Museum Studies​
  

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Demonstrate understanding of foundation skills in Museum Studies
• Demonstrate in depth knowledge of key concepts in Museum Studies
• Demonstrate a critical engagement with scholarship on museology and ability to write an exhibition proposal

​​Program Requirements (Total of 30 ​Credits​)​

• Course Requirements: ​24 credits
  
• Thesis Requirements​: 6 credits​​
  

Joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies Study Plan (PDF)