Learn
Young people and students
Start shaping your future in the museums sector. Build confidence, develop practical skills and work alongside professionals who can help you understand what matters to you and where you want to go next.
Our placement opportunities are designed to help you understand how museums work and what roles might suit your skills and interests. We prioritise requests where a placement forms part of a credited course, and applications are reviewed quarterly so your enquiry will be considered at the right time. To submit your enquiry we’ll ask you to complete a short form asking about your studies, interests and availability. This helps us understand what you hope to gain and which teams may be able to support you. While we can’t offer paid placements, you may be able to access funding through your school, college or university.
Applying for a placement at Manchester Museum
Who can apply?
Anyone aged 18+ who is looking for museum experience. Priority is given to credited course placements.
What we look for
We hope to match placements based on your interests, your availability and how the placement supports your learning or career pathway. Please note that we will be particularly interested in the skills and experience you are looking to gain: the more information you provide, the better we will be able to consider your application.
How it works
We review requests four times a year. Deadlines for the submission of applications are:
End of February for placements taking place from May to July
End of May for placements taking place from August to October
End of August for placements taking place from November to January
End of November for placements taking place for February to April
We will be in touch within 4 weeks of the deadline to notify you of the outcome.
Practical details
Placements can be part-time or full-time, depending on your needs. Opportunities are unpaid, but you may be eligible for support from your school, college or university.
Please note that we will prioritise students where a placement contributes to a credited part of their course. We are currently reviewing and responding to requests on a quarterly basis.
How to apply
To ensure that we can fully consider your request, please complete the form below. As well as providing some general information about your studies and context, you will be asked the following questions:
How does this placement / internship fit with your studies?
Why Manchester Museum? What has drawn you to seek a placement specifically at Manchester Museum?
What skills / experience do you hope to gain from a placement? If you are unsure what skills you are looking to develop, we encourage you to look at relevant job descriptions and think about the areas you’d need to develop to meet their criteria.
What area of the museum’s work / collections are you interested in? You can find out more about us online, such as Collections, Galleries, the Museum, our Mission and Values, and our Learning and Engagement programmes.
What are your preferred / specific dates / availability for the placement?
Get in touch
Please contact hannah-lee.chalk@manchester.ac.uk if you have any further questions or need help with the form.
Facilities for you
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The café on the ground floor can be accessed through the Main Hall or from Oxford Road. It serves delicious vegetarian food and drink all day so you can work, chat or have some quality alone time in comfort. There is also a coffee bar in the Main Hall and a picnic area with plenty of seating.
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This is a space for people to come together to learn, share ideas, build communities and make plans. You’ll meet education groups, charities, artists, writers, social enterprises, staff and students working collaboratively with a shared commitment to environmental and social justice. It is usually open to visitors 2-4pm Tuesday-Saturday.
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There are spaces throughout the museum to gather and connect. At the heart of the South Asia Gallery, floor 1, is a room for small-scale performances, filmic experiences and participatory activities. In the Chinese Culture Gallery, floor 1, beneath a night-sky constellation, is a space for people to meet for conversations and performances. The museum is also a unique, inspiring place to hold an event and you can find out more here.