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A member of the public visiting the Another Crossing exhibition at The Box Plymouth in collaboration with Arts University Plymouth and Fuller Craft 2022
Explore our Postgraduate courses

MA Museum Studies

At Arts University Plymouth we continue to invest heavily in new studios and workshops that redefine the relationship between media, fine art, digital technology and handcrafted traditions.

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Library</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The <strong>Arts University Plymouth Library</strong> has over 28,000 art and design specific books and the library team are also consistently adding new titles to their collection. It currently subscribes to 90 printed journals, and the library retains long runs of past journals. See more information about the library below. <br /></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Archives</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">All students are provided with an introduction session to the Arts University Plymouth library as well as more in-depth information literacy sessions during the academic year. One-to-one sessions with the library can be booked online at any point during their study. Additionally, MA Museum Studies students have access to The Box’s Cottonian Research Room, The Foulston Room (seminar space), Conference Room and Mammoth meeting rooms with AV and capacity for groups up to 20. The Box has a large specialist library used by curators plus a local studies library on the Active Archives gallery available to students. A conservation studio is available for studying larger objects/textiles under the guidance of their conservator.<br /></p> <p dir="ltr">In addition to the Arts University Plymouth Libraries and archives, students on the course have access to <strong>The Box's archives catalogue</strong> which includes the <a href="https://web.plymouth.gov.uk/archivescatalogue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archives Catalogue</a>, <a href="http://museumcatalogue.plymouth.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Box Museum Catalogue</a> and <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/collections/archives-and-local-studies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Archive in the Sky' (2D archives)</a><br /><br />Students will have privileged access to its numerous collections through lectures, demonstrations and seminars given on site at The Box by museum staff and curators. Museum staff responsible for museum outreach and engagement programmes, including those held within their DesignLab sponsored by the V&amp;A Museum in London, will present current topics and techniques for building public facing events and conducting audience research.<br /></p> <p><strong>Equipment &amp; Resources</strong><br /><br />Purpose-designed by multi award-winning architects Fielden Clegg Bradley and formally opened by Sir John Sorrell in November 2014, AUP’s £8 million craft, design and fabrication facilities are world-class, industry-standard spaces. Housing small metals studios, natural dye labs, glassblowing studio, ceramics facilities, biomaterials lab, two floors of specialist printmaking studios, triple height drawing studios with north-facing windows, and combined with Plymouth Fab Lab housed on campus, are available to enrolled postgraduate students.<br /><br />The<strong> Fab Lab</strong> is home to a suite of high-spec digital fabrication machines and services which students can utilise in practical research. Machines and devices include AR headsets and software, an architecture scale 3D scanner, polymer and multi-material 3D printer, clay 3D printer, laser cutter, water jet cutter, CNC router and professional CAD software.<br /><br />The <strong>Equipment Resource Centre (ERC)</strong> provides specialist cameras, video and sound recording equipment, lighting kits and other supplies that can be taken out on loan. The Wood and Plastics Workshop provides access and technical support for building structures for display. The University’s Material Lab, Imprint Lab/Digital Print Bureau and Multimedia Lab provide ongoing or scheduled opportunities to learn specialist techniques or develop skills related to student practice and research.<br /><br />Students have access to all specialist equipment available at Arts University Plymouth through our ‘SmartHub’ scheduling system. Teaching and learning utilises the University’s VLE and related integrated software and tools for file sharing and content dissemination. The University maintains dedicated computer suites containing both Mac and Windows-based machines and laptops are available for loan from our <strong>Equipment Resource Centre (ERC</strong>). Students will have access to the full Adobe Creative Suite and other subject-specific creative software during their study.<br /></p>
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Fab Lab South West
Our ‘fabrication laboratory’ is kitted-out with the latest in digital design technologies – from 3D printers to 3D scanners, a vinyl cutter, CNC milling machine, CNC router and laser cutter. It adds a whole new level of opportunity for students across all creative walks of life.
Multimedia Lab
Multimedia Lab & Equipment Resource Centre
Our Multimedia Lab offers you the kit and expertise to become skilled in a wide range of processes and techniques across the fields of photomedia, moving image and sound.
Learning Lab
Library & Academic Skills
We deliver activities, resources and workshops to support the academic and professional development of all HE students. Find out about the Library, Careers, Academic Skills & IT Support teams here.