Museums Commission and SOAS University of London Launch Joint Master’s in Museum Studies

The Museums Commission and SOAS University of London — a globally recognized center for the arts and humanities and social sciences — have announced the launch of a joint Master of Arts in Museum Studies, now offered at two of the Kingdom’s leading universities for the 2026/27 academic year.

 The program builds on SOAS’s established postgraduate partnership with Effat University in Jeddah and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam, and introduces a new direct-entry Master of Arts at both institutions.

 The program brings together the academic expertise of SOAS University of London, Effat University and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, combining international and locally rooted perspectives. Students are based in Saudi Arabia and undertake a study component at the SOAS campus in Bloomsbury, London.

 The initiative supports the development of Saudi Arabia’s museum sector by strengthening local expertise and expanding access to academic study in museum practice and related disciplines.

 CEO of the Museums Commission Eng. Abdullah Al-Hammad, said: “Building a world-class museum sector begins with investing in Saudi talent. Through our collaboration with SOAS University of London, Effat University, and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, we are creating a long-term pathway for Saudis to shape the future of our museums.”

 Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Joanna Newman said: "This partnership is about supporting the next generation of museum professionals in Saudi Arabia. SOAS’s internationally recognized expertise in museum, heritage and cultural studies combined with the opportunities created by the Kingdom’s growing cultural sector, offers a distinctive educational experience through a program that integrates academic excellence, diverse perspectives, practical experience and research-led teaching.”

 The program combines academic study with applied learning in curatorship and museology, preparing graduates for roles across curation, collections management, archives, exhibition design and cultural programming. It places particular emphasis on research, digital practice and audience engagement.

 The Master’s is delivered across two partner universities: Effat University, Jeddah, with teaching beginning August 30, 2026, and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, with teaching beginning September 6, 2026. Applications are open and will close on July 10, 2026.