University of Queensland plans to phase out Museum Studies programs from 2025 prompting sector-wide workforce fears

The University of Queensland plans to discontinue some programs next year, prompting grave concerns that certain institutions could become a thing of the past.

University of Queensland’s main St Lucia campus in Brisbane (Facebook image)

The future of Queensland’s history is under threat, with the final state-based tertiary course for those wanting to work in or volunteer at art galleries, museums, archives, libraries, or historical societies, set to become a thing of the past.

The University of Queensland is proposing to phase out its 18-month full-time Master of Museum Studies and six-month full-time Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies from 2025.

Professor Lynda Cheshire, head of UQ School of Social Science, told current students, staff and industry partners that semester two this year will be the final intake for these programs.

“We will continue to support our currently enrolled students to complete their studies and join a very strong alumni of Museum Studies graduates from UQ,” Professor Cheshire wrote.

“The proposal will be subject to an internal review process before a final decision is made.”

Professor Cheshire said the Museum Studies program has experienced enrolments, staffing, and market differentiation challenges since 2018.

“The university has invested significantly in the program, including initiatives to reinvigorate the curriculum, appoint additional staff and strengthen connections with industry,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately, student numbers remain low and have continued to decline, impacting the program’s ongoing viability.

“Many other universities that offer Museum Studies have experienced a decline in their market, apart from one university which offers an online program, and another which attracts a larger number of international students.”

Museums and Galleries Queensland executive director Rebekah Butler represents Queensland’s more than 400 museums and galleries, and their 1600 paid staff and over 15,000 volunteers.

She said if UQ’s proposal went ahead, there would be no tertiary qualifications offered in Queensland in this specialised field.

“This is really significant,” Ms Butler said.

“This will affect art galleries, museums, archives, libraries, and historical societies.

“Within the sector, there are people who have recently retired and taken these courses to become a volunteer in one of these museums and galleries.

“We also have a huge number of graduates working across Queensland in these organisations. Part of this UQ program and what makes it unique is that students do an internship or placement, which is really important for getting that hands-on experience.”

Ms Butler said the only options left to Queensland-based volunteers and aspiring employees would be to do a similar course online, or move interstate to study.

“If we don’t have this pathway here, these students will develop these networks interstate and there is a huge likelihood they won’t return to work in the Queensland sector,” she said.

“The sector we have is still very vibrant and dynamic across the state, those positions and needs are still there and most positions require that you have tertiary qualifications.

“This decision has been made without industry or sector consultation, there was no communication from UQ prior to this notification.”

A UQ spokeswoman said that after careful consideration, the university notified students, staff and industry partners of proposed plans to phase out the Museum Studies programs.

“We will continue to support currently enrolled students to complete their studies, with core courses in the programs continuing until the end of 2026,” the university said.

“The university will continue to promote the arts and build on our deep connections to industry through partnerships and student placements with a range of the state’s key arts and cultural organisations, many regional galleries, through university museums, and the UQ Arts initiatives.”

Museums & Galleries Queensland has established an online petition calling for UQ to abandon its proposal. It has more than 2200 signatures in little more than two weeks.