Kingston University London

Name: Feng Sun (Sino-British Fellowship Trust Scholarship holder)
Course: MA Curating Contemporary Design

"As a Sino-British Scholarship holder, I have found the Curating Contemporary Design MA a wonderful experience. I am enjoying working in a team; learning more about art and culture administration; visiting the splendid museums, galleries, art and cultural institutions in London; and developing future cooperation opportunities between the UK and China.

"I am very grateful for the Sino-British Scholarship, which has given me an amazing opportunity to acquire new ideas, improve my professional practice, enhance my curating skills and develop the career that I have always wanted.

"There is an unprecedented enthusiasm in both China and the UK at the moment to develop contemporary culture and reinforce collaborations with the rest of the world. Everyone who has experienced the history and culture of these two great countries would feel a responsibility to enhance it. With the platform established by the Sino-British Trust, I believe that communication between our cultures will be strengthened."

To find out more about the Sino-British Fellowship Trust scholarship, whether you might be eligible, and how to apply for it, please see the Fees and bursaries section on the left-hand side.

Name: Keyan Lai (Sino-British Fellowship Trust Scholarship 2008)
Course: MA Curating Contemporary Design

"After spending five months at Kingston University, I've realised that this one-year experience will definitely change my life and career path. The MA in Curating Contemporary Design is an extremely good course. It is very well tailored and particularly suitable for those who want to be engaged in the art scene and become a curator.

"Many successful curators and museum professionals are also invited to give lectures for the class. This means that we can not only listen to and learn from vivid, first-hand accounts of the subject, but also make contacts and connections with these key people, who might be our partners and friends in the future.

"Over the past few months, I have enjoyed making many new friends – whether my classmates, flatmates, lecturers or others I've met during my study and life here at Kingston. Different cultural, educational and working backgrounds mean that we can communicate, exchange ideas and learn from each other, which is really fantastic."

Name: Raphael Chikukwa (Zimbabwean curator and Chevening scholar)
Course: MA Curating Contemporary Design

"As an African curator, I see the experience as a new chapter for our two communities – to link up the international community. Art and artists from Africa are sorely under represented and marginalised in the UK, a situation that Kingston University is working to change. I hope to develop on-going projects with the staff to strengthen the relationship between our two countries to enrich the future for both.

"In my experience, Kingston University gives you the opportunity to interact with many talented creatives from around the world. I have met so many new friends and colleagues in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture and in other faculties across the University."

Name: Cloudia Bi Yun Chen
Course: Curating Contemporary Design MA

“My background is in sales and marketing, with a few years of work experience in business development and sales and marketing departments in Hong Kong. However, I’ve always had an interest in art exhibitions and travelling so having gained a first degree in Marketing and some backpacking experience in Europe and Southeast Asia, I took a part time diploma in Event and Exhibition Management. I realised that this career path wasn't for me as I found myself interested more in art interpretation and contemporary curating. To move into this area I chose to take the MA course at Kingston University.

“The course has been absolutely brilliant. It’s been intensive and very hands-on because of the way we learn. We go to the Design Museum every Tuesday and have opportunities to see first-hand views of exhibitions and to meet leading artists and designers as well as high profile curators in London.  Being taught by experts who are respected in the art and design world and guest lecturers from the industry has been a real highlight of the course and we have also been set group projects in conjunction with the British Council, Science Museum, London Transport Museum and the V&A Museum. The course also enabled me to gain an internship in a commercial gallery which has provided me with invaluable experience and it's been useful and motivating applying what I've learnt on the course to a working environment. Also, both the internship and course has given me numerous contacts that will remain a part of my professional network after graduating.

“My plan after the course is to find employment in London for one or two years before heading back to China. With some more solid experiences in London, I’m optimistic that I’ll be fully prepared to gain and excel in a curating role in China.”

Name: Marion Friedmann
Course: MA Curating Contemporary Design 2008

“For me, it was important to bring design knowledge and passion acquired over 15 years onto a professional and curatorial level. There is intense work on practical and real projects, delivered from experts in the field. This, in addition to the group work, guidance and feedback from tutors and professionals, offers a deep insight and a steep learning curve.

“The course offers extensive contact with museums and many other organisations and curating professionals. The MA helped me to open up my mind and think broadly about curating and its different forms and scopes. An important fact is that the MA relates mainly to design but addresses other areas too - this secures flexibility and adaptability for a future career in curating on a multidisciplinary level.”