Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 2 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
- Campus
-
Paddington
- Codes
- Program code 9318
- CRICOS code 082201A
-
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2026 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $11,500*
-
2026 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree
- $22,500*
-
2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $48,500*
-
2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $101,500*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
-
Industry experience
-
Leading academics
-
International experiences
Admissions update for international students
Some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and new applications are closed to New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC). Applications to all 2027 intakes are open.
Click to find our latest updates for international student admissions.
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- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Play a leading role in shaping the future of the creative and cultural sectors with the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership at UNSW. Led by the UNSW School of Art & Design, ranked #5 in Australia for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026) this postgraduate degree will prepare you to lead, curate and innovate across the arts.
Developed in close partnership with industry, the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership is delivered in collaboration a wide network of Australian and international cultural partners. You’ll explore how creative and cultural practices connect to social, political and economic contexts, while building strong foundations in curatorial theory and cultural leadership.
Graduate ready to shape cultural conversations, lead creative change and influence what comes next. You’ll have the skills and confidence to step into leading roles in museums, galleries, festivals, public programs and cultural policy in Australia and globally.
Key features
Industry-engaged learning experiences
Gain hands-on experience through curatorial studios and industry-engaged courses. Previous partners include the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, City of Sydney, Biennale of Sydney, Campbelltown Arts Centre and Sydney Contemporary.
Tailored capstone project
In your final year, complete a capstone project designed to consolidate your learning and strengthen your professional identity. Compliment your major project proposal with a focused internship or research paper aligned with your career goals and creative interests.
Global perspectives and connections
Broaden your ideas through international engagement opportunities. Learn from the International Visiting Curators Program run by UNSW Galleries or join the World Biennales course, which includes a two-week intensive international study tour visiting two to three major exhibitions in Europe or Asia.
Why study at UNSW?
Earn a globally recognised qualification
Study at a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026), and join the UNSW School of Art & Design – ranked #5 in Australia for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026). Graduate with a qualification recognised worldwide in curating and cultural leadership.
Learn in partnership with industry
This program is shaped by extensive industry engagement and delivered in close collaboration with a wide network of Australian and international partners. You'll graduate with real-world skills, a strong individual practice and professional connections across the creative and cultural sectors.
Join a vibrant creative community
Study at our dedicated Art & Design Campus in Paddington – a dynamic hub of cultural activity and collaboration. With access to cutting-edge facilities, public galleries, exhibitions, performances and events, you’ll be part of a thriving artistic and academic community.
Entry requirements
Depending on the level and nature of your prior qualifications, admission to the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership has three entry points with different duration and units of credit (UOC) required for completion:
- 2 year program (96 UOC)
If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree in any field (related or unrelated) with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%), you’re eligible for admission into the full 2 year program. The 2 year program includes a foundational course component in Curating and Cultural Leadership. - 1.7 year program (72 UOC)
If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a related field* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%) you’ll be granted admission into the 1.7 year program. - 1 year program (48 UOC)
If you have completed an Honours degree in a related field*, you'll be granted admission into the 1 year advanced disciplinary component of the program.
If you’re applying without a Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree completed more than 10 years ago, you can be admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership through a request for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you complete the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma with a record of achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%) you're then eligible for admission into the Master’s program with full credit for courses already completed.
Entry score calculator
If you’re uncertain whether you have the equivalent to a UNSW credit average, you can use the UNSW postgraduate entry score calculator to convert and scale other types of grading schemes into a percentage relatable to UNSW entry requirements.
*Related Bachelor’s degree programs include: Curatorial Studies, Librarianship and Information Management (FOE 0913), the Creative Arts (FOE 10, such as Fine Arts, Art History, Art Theory, Museum Studies, Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Graphic and Design Studies, Communication and Media Studies), Studies in Human Society (FOE 0903, such as Sociology, Anthropology, History, Archaeology, Human Geography, Indigenous Studies, Gender Specific Studies), Political Science and Policy Studies (FOE 0901), Literature (FOE 091523), and Philosophy (FOE 091701).
Admission pathways
Our suite of programs is designed to build a pathway that increases your capabilities and expands upon your hard-earned experience. We offer the following options to optimise your time while undertaking postgraduate study and provide alternative entry into further qualifications:
- Entry into the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership with a bachelor’s degree in any field. Applicants without a bachelor's degree but experience in an art related field may be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
- Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Cultural Leadership with a bachelor's degree in any field or a Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership with at least credit average grade.
You can enter the Master of Curating & Cultural Leadership after completing the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership with at least a credit average grade.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Depending on the level and nature of your prior qualifications, admission to the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership has three entry points with different duration and units of credit (UOC) required for completion:
- 2 year program (96 UOC)
If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree in any field (related or unrelated) with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%), you’re eligible for admission into the full 2 year program. The 2 year program includes a foundational course component in Curating and Cultural Leadership. - 1.5 year program (72 UOC)
If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree in a related field* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%) you’ll be granted admission into the 1.5 year program. - 1 year program (48 UOC)
If you have completed an Honours degree in a related field*, you'll be granted admission into the 1 year advanced disciplinary component of the program.
If you’re applying without a Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree completed more than 10 years ago, you can be admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership through a request for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you complete the requirements for the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma with a record of achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average (65%) you're then eligible for admission into the Master’s program with full credit for courses already completed.
Entry score calculator
If you’re uncertain whether you have the equivalent to a UNSW credit average, you can use the UNSW postgraduate entry score calculator to convert and scale other types of grading schemes into a percentage relatable to UNSW entry requirements.
*Related Bachelor’s degree programs include: Curatorial Studies, Librarianship and Information Management (FOE 0913), the Creative Arts (FOE 10, such as Fine Arts, Art History, Art Theory, Museum Studies, Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Graphic and Design Studies, Communication and Media Studies), Studies in Human Society (FOE 0903, such as Sociology, Anthropology, History, Archaeology, Human Geography, Indigenous Studies, Gender Specific Studies), Political Science and Policy Studies (FOE 0901), Literature (FOE 091523), and Philosophy (FOE 091701).
Admission pathways
Our suite of programs is designed to build a pathway that increases your capabilities and expands upon your hard-earned experience. We offer the following options to optimise your time while undertaking postgraduate study and provide alternative entry into further qualifications:
- Entry into the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership with a bachelor’s degree in any field. Applicants without a bachelor's degree but experience in an art related field may be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
- Entry into the Graduate Diploma in Cultural Leadership with a bachelor's degree in any field or a Graduate Certificate in Cultural Leadership with at least credit average grade.
You can enter the Master of Design after completing the Graduate Certificate in Design with at least a credit average grade.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
What will I study?
Program structure
The Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership is a two-year full-time program. The degree focuses on two key areas of study: curation and cultural leadership. The curatorial courses emphasise experimentation and developing a strong independent practice through a range of curatorial studios and opportunities to mount live public projects. Cultural leadership courses include Museum Engagement, Public Programming and Engagement Policy, Critical Writing, Promotion, Production and New Emerging Roles.
Through core courses and a range of electives, you’ll explore topics such as curatorial practice, exhibiting and visual culture, museum studies and histories of art in First Nations Australia and the Asia Pacific region, professional communication, art writing and more.
Full program structure
Students must complete 96 units of credit (UOC) when taking the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership as a standalone program. All core courses and prescribed electives are worth 6 UOC each.
Core courses - 66 UOC
- Communication Skills for Creative Disciplines
- Research Foundations in Art and Design
- Leadership in the Cultural and Creative Industries
- Australian Arts Ecology
- Art Writing and Publishing
- Cultural Heritage, Ethics & the Law
- Contemporary Curating: Theories and Practices
- Capstone Project
- Cultural Management and Policy
- Exhibiting Cultures
One of the following:
- Global Contemporary Art
- Histories of Contemporary Art
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
Prescribed electives - 30 UOC
- Work Integrated Learning
- Research Paper
- Designing the Experience: Exhibitions and Beyond
- Creative Experimentation
- Major Exhibitions and Events
- World Biennales: Field Trip
- Audience Engagement
- Visual and Museum Cultures of the Asia Pacific
- Global Visual Cultures
- Global Contemporary Art
- Conservation, Registration and Handling
- Histories of Contemporary Art
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
- Curatorial Studio: Social Space
- Curatorial Studio: Site and Situation
- Curatorial Studio: Collections and Archives
For more information on the program structure of the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership, please visit the Handbook.
Future careers
Graduates of the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership are prepared to lead, innovate and influence across a wide range of curatorial, exhibition, policy and arts management contexts. You’ll be equipped to work independently and collaboratively in institutional, private and public settings, from major cultural organisations to grassroots initiatives.
Jobs in curating are projected to grow by 2.1% over the next five years, with museum curator salaries in Australia averaging $110,000 per year (Seek, 2026). Our graduates are sought-after for their vision, creativity and professional readiness – with many securing roles at leading cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian, Carriageworks and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS).
Potential careers
- Arts program manager
- Artistic director
- Curator
- Curatorial assistant
- Cultural policy advisor
- Cultural producer
- Director of exhibitions
- Education and public programs officer
- Event and festival coordinator
- Exhibition designer
- Gallery manager
- Heritage officer
- Museum director
- Museum educator
- Program producer
- Public engagement coordinator
- Research officer
- Strategic partnerships manager
- Visual arts consultant
- Writer/editor
How to apply
Apply for this degree through the UNSW Applicant Portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Please note that some high-demand programs have limited places and may have earlier application deadlines or commencement dates than others.
For a step-by-step guide to the application process, visit our How to Apply page.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our UNSW Applicant Portal service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Offers to international students are issued through offer rounds. You can find the offer release schedules, application deadlines and frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the international admissions information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this degree/program. Your eligibility to receive a CSP will be automatically assessed when you apply, please ensure you preference the CSP code in UAC to be considered. Start your postgraduate application today with our guide on how to apply.
Please note that eligibility for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) is competitive, with places awarded based on academic merit. To find out more about Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Austudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some master’s degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the degree/program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average using historical student enrolment patterns for each program, which may change every year. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year you enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative first year fees are for tuition only. Indicative fees to complete the degree/program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year and have been calculated based on percentage increase for every year of the degree/program, noting that actual fee increase may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Other fees and charges are not included. To find out more about other costs for international students, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Featured scholarships
The following scholarships have been established to support Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership students:
- The Nick Waterlow Curatorial Scholarship
Established to support one exceptional student each year to undertake the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership program. - Freedman Curatorial Scholarship
Established to encourage and support current students enrolled in a UNSW Art & Design coursework degree program.
Featured scholarships
The following scholarships have been established to support Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership students:
- The UNSW Art & Design International Scholarship - Coursework
This scholarship was established to encourage international practising artists and designers to study at UNSW Art & Design. - Freedman Curatorial Scholarship
Established to encourage and support current students enrolled in a UNSW Art & Design coursework degree program.
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