Behind the Scenes at the 21st Century Museum (FutureLearn)

Behind the Scenes at the 21st Century Museum (FutureLearn)

Get an introduction to museum studies with this free online course. Learn about the people and ideas that shape museums today. How can we understand museums today? Who makes the decisions about what to put in them and whose stories they tell? Who are museums for and why are they working to engage new audiences? How do we respond emotionally to museum objects and spaces? And how can museums play a role in the pursuit of social justice, human rights, or health and wellbeing?

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

On this course you will explore these questions through a range of inspirational case studies and thought-provoking ideas. Discover how modern museums seek to impact our contemporary world, learning with National Museums Liverpool, one of the UK’s leading museum services, and the University of Leicester, pioneers of museum studies for over 50 years.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity (FutureLearn)

Interested in starting a business? This course will help you define your vision and discover opportunities to make it happen. A successful business starts with a clear vision and a thorough understanding of the opportunities available to turn that vision into a reality. Whether you have an idea for a future venture or you already have a side-line business whilst studying, this course will help you consider your vision and explore the opportunities available.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Starting a Business 4: Business Processes (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Starting a Business 4: Business Processes (FutureLearn)

Understand how business works and performance can be improved so that you can take your business forward and manage growth. A successful business relies on processes and information systems; it is important that an entrepreneur pays close attention to how their business works and how performance can be improved so that they are in a position to take it forward and manage growth.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You (edX)

Gain an understanding of history, museum studies, and curation by looking at, organizing, and interpreting art, artifacts, scientific curiosities, and the stuff of everyday life. Have you ever wondered about how museum, library, and other kinds of historical or scientific collections all come together? Or how and why curators, historians, archivists, and preservationists do what they do?

Self Paced
Self-Paced
What Is Contemporary Art? (Coursera) Coursera
The Museum of Modern Art

What Is Contemporary Art? (Coursera)

What is contemporary art? In this course, you’ll consider this question through more than 70 works of art made between 1980 and the present, with a focus on art from the past decade. You’ll hear directly from artists, architects, and designers from around the globe about their creative processes, materials, and inspiration.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Seeing Through Photographs (Coursera) Coursera
The Museum of Modern Art

Seeing Through Photographs (Coursera)

Although taking, sharing, and viewing photographs has become second nature for many of us, our regular engagement with images does not necessarily make us visually literate. This course aims to address the gap between seeing and truly understanding photographs by introducing a diversity of ideas, approaches, and technologies that inform their making. In this course you will look closely at 100 photographs from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, going behind the scenes of the Museum and into artist studios through original films and audio interviews.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Contract Management: Building Relationships in Business (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Southampton

Contract Management: Building Relationships in Business (FutureLearn)

Learn to build relationships and manage contracts successfully with this free online course backed by UK government and IACCM. Contracts are fundamental to all business activities and relationships are fundamental to all contracts. This free online course will help you understand contract management processes; give you the confidence to develop new contracts; and help you build successful relationships to implement contracts effectively.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
What Is Leadership? (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Deakin University

What Is Leadership? (FutureLearn)

Leadership is often misunderstood due to its complex nature. Learn what being a leader means and how you can practice leadership. Investigate leaders and leadership to improve your effectiveness as a leader. In this course, we look to answer the question: ‘What is leadership?’ In the first week we explore two fundamental perspectives on leadership: leader as a person and leadership as a practice. In the second week we examine the difference between leadership and management so you can determine whether you are a leader in a management role, a leader without a management role, or a manager who needs to become a leader.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
The Secret Power of Brands (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of East Anglia

The Secret Power of Brands (FutureLearn)

Understand the role of brands and brand management in the modern world, and start developing your career in the sector. Brands are the most potent commercial and cultural force on the planet. Think McDonald’s, Apple, Manchester United, Tate, Google or Harry Potter. Get under the skin of such brands, and ask how and why they become so powerful.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Investigating Innovation (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Deakin University,Coventry University

Investigating Innovation (FutureLearn)

What is innovation and why is being innovative important in your personal and professional life? Find out with this online course. Discover different types, processes, and outcomes of innovation. Innovation is a key element of entrepreneurial success and growth for any organisation. Being innovative gives a business a competitive advantage and helps shape a positive future.

Self Paced
2 Weeks