Career in museums/heritage - which route do I take?

After dropping out of Year 13 twice due to mental health issues, I'm now 19 (20 in September), and am yet to complete my A2s. I've applied & got 5 offers for uni the past 2 years, but obviously as I didn't complete my A2s I cannot accept them.

I'm pretty sure I want a career of some sort in heritage/museum work (not sure which area/exact job), but I'm unsure what route to take to get into this.

At the moment I'm thinking of self-teaching my A2s starting this September, meanwhile getting a job and volunteer work in some local museum/heritage projects. I could then go to a uni and do a history or sociology course, then go on to get a full time job in a museum.

However, I've also thought about doing a distance learning degree with OU, meaning I could get more experience working in museums and such while learning from home (which might help my mental health issues as well as being better career wise).

I've also just realised you don't need to complete A2s to do an OU degree - but is this still important? Would future employers frown upon skipping year 13?

Basically I'm just looking for any advice on what would be the best course to take, if anyone has experience of anything I've mentioned your advice/opinion would be great ! :smile:

Reply 1

KindofGood

You don't really need a degree to tour in museums, just a strong knowledge. However, if you were to study a degree either History or English Literature would be advised.

Reply 2

Carnationlilyrose

http://search.ucas.com/search/providers?CountryCode=&RegionCode=&Lat=&Lng=&Feather=&Vac=1&AvailableIn=2015&Query=museum&ProviderQuery=&AcpId=&Location=&SubjectCode=

Reply 3

Chicken.M.

You can start volunteering in museums and there will 100% be some really helpful people there that can help you out tbh.

A lot of the people working in the Bristol Museums started off as volunteers.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 4

p.formanko

Can I suggest a degree in anthropology?
Seeing as it hasn't been mentioned yet and to me it would be a no-brainer if you want to work in museums :smile:

Reply 5

DH26

Original post by KindofGood

You don't really need a degree to tour in museums, just a strong knowledge. However, if you were to study a degree either History or English Literature would be advised.

Ok, thanks :smile:

Reply 6

DH26

Original post by ChickenMadness

You can start volunteering in museums and there will 100% be some really helpful people there that can help you out tbh.

A lot of the people working in the Bristol Museums started off as volunteers.

That's what I've heard too - the experience is key & you can work your way up through roles. Thanks :smile:

Reply 7

DH26

Original post by p.formanko

Can I suggest a degree in anthropology?
Seeing as it hasn't been mentioned yet and to me it would be a no-brainer if you want to work in museums :smile:

I have considered it but I don't think I'd enjoy the degree so much as the others, thanks for the advice though

Reply 8

ageshallnot

If you decide to study History at university, then you could look out for unis which offer modules directly related to working in museums. I know that Exeter's Cornwall campus does this: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees2014/history/bahistory/ and there might be others.

Reply 9

DH26

Original post by ageshallnot

Thanks, I'll have a look into museum degrees a bit more

Reply 10

bazinga123!

Some unis do history and heritage joint honours degrees which would be good

Reply 11

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by DH26

However, I've also thought about doing a distance learning degree with OU, meaning I could get more experience working in museums and such while learning from home (which might help my mental health issues as well as being better career wise).

I've also just realised you don't need to complete A2s to do an OU degree - but is this still important? Would future employers frown upon skipping year 13?

If you can do your A2s then do them. Unfortunately many jobs will require A levels / a certain number of UCAS points even if you have a degree. The museum industry is a competitive one to break into, you can't give them any reason not to hire you.

As for the OU, it is hard work, you have to be very self-motivated and driven to do an OU degree and pass with a good grade. If you are serious about it then watch these videos (click, click, click). I think they give a good idea on what doing an OU degree is like.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 12

DH26

Original post by Samual

Yeah I wouldn't want an employer to have reason to not hire me, so I think I'll definitely do my A2s either way. The OU videos were really helpful, thanks :smile:

Reply 13

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