Supporting PhD and Masters learning
The University of Reading offers students an unparalleled learning environment in which to undertake original scholarly research and develop skills for their future careers, through our outstanding and wide-ranging collections.
Below, read more about the opportunities for all PG students, as well as how we support University of Reading courses with collections-based teaching.
If you are a prospective undergraduate student, please see our Museum Studies undergraduate courses, where you can combine Museum Studies with Archaeology or Classical Studies for your BA.
We also offer collections-based teaching sessions for undergraduate students in a wide range of subject areas: from geography to fine art, and anthropology to law.
Collections research skills workshops
Open to MA, PhD, and early career researchers, our programme of collections research skills workshops cover everything from navigating catalogues to developing approaches to digital humanities . Led by academics and collections professionals, the workshops take place online and in-person and are free of charge for all attendees.
Supporting MA programmes
University of Reading MA students in History, English Literature, and Fine Art benefit from exceptional access to primary sources and material culture, and the associated professional expertise of a university museums service.
Each year, MA Fine Art students create work in response to a brief set by curators from The Museum of English Rural Life and the University’s Art Collections, mirroring how professional artists collaborate with cultural institutions. Their artistic output, inspired by our collections, is displayed publicly in the museum galleries.
The MA English Literature’s Materiality and Textuality module focuses on developing research techniques through archival materials. In weekly seminars, students are immersed in literary history such as our internationally recognised Samuel Beckett Collection and accredited Archive of British Publishing and Printing.
Our MA Historians delve into the world of primary sources, through behind the scenes tours of the stores and collections-based seminars led by our archivists and academics. With Special Collections ranging from the medieval to the 20th century, students can explore their specialisms and build their confidence conducting independent scholarly research.
Prospective PhD candidates
If you are a prospective PhD candidate interested in using our collections to shape your project, please get in touch with us (via the collections enquiries service on The MERL website). Our Reading Room, Art Study Room, and The MERL mezzanine study space are open to students, as well as academics and members of the public. We would love to hear from you.
Student placements
Across the University’s Museums and Collections, we host placements for students to enhance their employability and research skills. Recent examples include a PhD researcher from the Centre for Book Cultures and Publishing working with publishers’ archives, and a University of Leicester MA Museum Studies student curating the new display in The MERL’s Ladybird gallery.
Join our opportunities newsletter
Our team curate an email newsletter for postgraduate and undergraduate students interested in careers in GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums), heritage, research posts, and the information and cultural sectors.
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