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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Global Gallery Studies

Course Fact File

Code	MAGGS
Duration	2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	MA
NFQ Level	Level 9
EU Fees	Part-time: €5,400 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Non-EU Fees	Part-time: €7,400
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Course Delivery Method	Online
Start Date	7 September 2026

Course Outline

The MA in Global Gallery Studies (MAGGS) online programme is a unique two-year part-time MA that prepares you for a career in the gallery sector and fine arts institutions in Ireland and internationally. Directed by History of Art, and taught in association with Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies and Digital Humanities, UCC, the programme offers an innovative blend of theory, research and real-world gallery practices in a global context.

Our students engage with theoretical modules including an introduction to global gallery studies, global art histories for curators and digital arts and humanities, as well as practice-based modules including online fieldwork and networking with national and international galleries, and an onsite project-led internship with a prominent fine art gallery in Ireland or internationally. Dr Mary Kelly, Programme Director of this innovative MA Global Gallery Studies online programme, notes:

We offer mentorship to our students and we prepare them for a career in the gallery sector… The MAGGS team investigates a diverse range of galleries and curatorial practices globally…Our curriculum combines academic seminars delivered by UCC faculty with a rich series of guest lectures and workshops delivered by national and international gallery practitioners including: curators of exhibitions, curators of engagement and learning, curators of gallery talks and public programmes, artist representatives, artists, art critics, art collectors and gallery directors. MAGGS creates a bridge between academia and gallery practitioners worldwide…

This online programme will expose students to critical and practical skills prized by the Arts sector as well as provide a comprehensive understanding of 21st-century gallery practices across different geographical borders and cultural traditions.

Course Content
The part-time programme (90 credits) is delivered online and across two years

Year 1:  Theory Meets Practice
Core modules delivered across Semesters 1 and 2  

• HA6026:  Global Galleries and Art:  History, Theory and Practice (10 Credits)
• DH6023:  Conceptual Introduction to Digital Arts and Humanities (10 Credits)
• HA6031:  Global Galleries Fieldwork (10 Credits)
• HS6024:  Global Contemporary Art (10 Credits) 

Year 2:  Research Meets Practice
Core Modules Delivered across Semesters 1 + 2 + 3 

• HA6028:  Research Project in Global Gallery Studies (30 Credits)
• HA6029:  Project-Led Gallery Internship (20 Credits)

Candidates may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to exempt themselves from having to complete select modules. RPL applications for module exemptions should be submitted before the learner/prospective learner is registered for their chosen programme.  Please contact the Programme Director Dr. Mary Kelly for further information and queries.

Postgraduate Diploma in Global Gallery Studies
Candidates who pass 60 credits and who choose not to progress to the research project or who fail, or fail to submit, the research project, may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Gallery Studies. 

Course Practicalities

Online seminars take place over seven months from September to March in Years 1 & 2, with an average of 4 class hours each week. 220 hours of independent study per 10 credit module is required. 4x weeks internship in Year 2 (March/April). Research Project in Global Gallery Studies (15,000 words) submitted at the end of Year 2, semester 3.

Synchronous online seminars are delivered during Irish Standard Time (IST) business hours. Students are required to attend these seminars live. 

HA6029:  Project-Led Gallery Internship
The History of Art department will arrange all 4 week internships for students: these placements are unpaid and the costs of participation in terms of travel and accommodation expenses are borne by the student and will vary depending on the location of the gallery concerned.

All internships must comply with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade overseas travel guidance [see https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel-advice/]. Under mitigating circumstances, an online internship may be offered to students.   While efforts will be made to meet students' internship requests, the final decision and approval for all student internships rests with UCC management as determined by UCC Policies, NUI Charters, and prevailing Irish governmental travel guidance.  

Assessment
The taught modules are examined through continuous assessment, using a combination of projects, presentations and critical essays. The work placements are assessed by a Placement Report Portfolio, while the 'HA6028:  Research Project in Global Gallery Studies' requires the submission of a 15,000 word written project or dissertation.

Why Choose This Course

This programme offers students an exceptional opportunity to deeply engage with the core elements of global gallery studies: theory, research, practice and professional networking. Our curriculum has a genuine global emphasis, embracing diverse gallery cultures and practices worldwide. This scope is solidified through online fieldwork that features galleries from across many countries and continents. Furthermore, students are provided with a valuable CV building opportunity to undertake a project-led internship with a prominent fine art gallery either in Ireland or internationally. This structure ensures a comprehensive, practical and globally aware educational experience.

Our faculty are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as art, cultures, technology and languages. MAGGS faculty include:

• Dr Mary Kelly, Programme Director, History of Art, UCC
• Dr Carlos Garrido Castellano, Senior Lecturer, Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies, UCC
• Dr Orla Murphy, Senior Lecturer and Head of, Digital Humanities, UCC

MAGGS also includes numerous guest seminars and workshops delivered by national and international gallery practitioners including curators of exhibitions, curators of engagement and learning, curators of gallery talks and public programmes, artist representatives, artists, art critics, art collectors, and/or gallery directors.

Student Testimonials

Having a keen interest in art history and also the gallery space the MA in Global Gallery Studies was at the top of my list for postgraduate studies. The course has been everything I imagined it to be and even more. The course is structured to perfection ensuring that as a student I get maximum exposure to both art, the gallery space and other disciplines that supplement these studies. I have been able to apply philosophy, psychology, etymology, iconography, geography, history, digital humanities and archaeology, and many other humanities subjects to my essays, presentations, and general discussions, making this MA a fantastic choice for Arts students in general. The MA prepares you for the workplace and the highly practical nature of the course is a delight as I get the opportunity to participate in the curation of a project in a dedicated gallery space. This MA is by far the most forward-thinking and ground-breaking education I have experienced.
Lucy Dubert, MA Global Gallery Studies, Graduate & PhD Candidate, UCC

As a current student of the MA in Global Gallery Studies, I have found the course a fantastic mix of both theory and practical work including regular seminars from people in the industry as well as lectures in Digital Arts and Humanities. The lecturers are always willing and able to meet with students and work with them on their own individual strengths so that they can get as much out of the programme as possible.  What appealed to me the most about this programme was that there was an opportunity to do a field trip as well as an internship during your time. Both opportunities allow us as students, to use the theory we have learned in the classroom and apply it in a working gallery space.
Kayleigh Falvey, MA Global Gallery Studies, Graduate

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Project-Led Gallery Internship (HA6029) information:
Students undertake 1 x project-led gallery internship of four weeks duration (year 2), where they will learn aspects of gallery practice as well as the opportunity to work on a particular project. The module comprises taught workshops in Semesters 1 & 2, and internships commence towards the end of Semester 2 (March/April). History of Art arranges all internships for our MAGGS students. Under mitigating circumstances, an online internship may be offered. Please see course practicalities for internship details.

MAGGS also features numerous guest seminars and workshops presented by gallery practitioners from around the world.

Skills and Careers Information

We support the gallery profession through entry-level training and continuing professional development of existing staff. Career pathways include:

• Administrator/Gallery Assistant
• Archive Digitisation (Gallery website content creation, maintenance, and development, including social media integration).
• Artist Advisor
• Creative Industries
• Critical Writing
• Cultural Tourism
• Curator of Online Collections
• Development Officer
• Editorial Departments
• Exhibitions Curator
• Gallery/Art Consultancy
• Global Outreach Officer
• Heritage and the Arts
• Programmes and Education Curator/Officer
• Research in the Arts

Requirements

Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Arts and Humanities.   

Applicants with a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8), in Arts and Humanities, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with a primary degree other than Second Class Honours who demonstrate a high level of significant and relevant experience, may also apply under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

As part of the application process, all applicants must submit a motivation statement (500 words) detailing their interest in the programme, their particular research interests and methodologies to date, and their future professional goals. 

All applicants may be subject to an interview as part of the selection process. 

Garda Vetting:  All students on this programme will require Garda Vetting.  Garda Vetting is compulsory for participation in the core Gallery Internship module and other practice-based workshops. Please see Vetting Procedure | University College Cork for further details on the vetting application process.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is Part-time: €5,400.

The Non-EU fee for this course is Part-time: €7,400.

Additional costs:
Internship module: internships are unpaid and the costs of participation in terms of travel and accommodation expenses are borne by the student and will vary depending on the location of the gallery concerned.

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• Please detail your research interests

• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

• Please submit a copy of a short analytical/critical/report writing sample or essay (1,000 words approx.)   The essay should be an example of your writing related to art or the gallery spaces. 
• After the online application is submitted, applicants will be required to add the name and email address of 2 referees and send Reference requests via the Application Portal.  One should be a previous supervisor of studies.

All candidates are subject to an interview and must satisfy a selection committee.

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this programme

The closing date for non-EU applications is Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.

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