“This was the best work experience I could have ever asked for, thank you!” Year 10 student (July 2024 cohort)

“The week in the museum was amazing. I got the chance to speak to so many new people, which allowed me to learn continuously every day. I didn’t just learn about one subject, I was involved in every gallery.” Year 12 student (July 2024 cohort)

Our July 2025 cohort includes Year 10 students from Abraham Moss Community School, Cedar Mount Academy and Trinity High, and Year 12 students from Ashton Sixth Form College, Xaverian College, Trinity Sixth Form and Loreto Sixth Form.

This is the second year we have run our new Work Experience programme at Manchester Museum. The aim is to offer students the opportunity to find out more about working in the museum sector, and to develop their research and communication skills through a packed week of activities.

Throughout the week students work together and with members of our visitor team and curatorial staff to research, develop and deliver part of a tour, focusing on their chosen gallery. Y10 students can choose to focus on Fossils & Dinosaurs, Natural History or our Egypt & Archaeology Galleries. Y12 students are also offered the opportunity to focus on our South Asia, Chinese Culture and Belonging Galleries.

Students spend time shadowing our visitor team; engaging with visitors on the galleries and welcoming visitors at the front desk. During the week they work together to develop content for their tours with support from visitor team mentors and time to meet the relevant curator for their chosen galleries. We also arrange a behind the scenes tour, an informal tea for all staff to meet the students, a workshop on job applications and CVs, as well as time with our Learning Programme Assistant on how to learn from objects. At the end of the week, the students collectively deliver their work as part of a Work Experience Edition Public Highlights Tour.

Applications for July 2026 will open in September. Find out more here.