It does happen in the UK but usually in  conjunction with an HE institution. Can think of at least two current PhDs at Leicester, for example (with Tate and Statens Museum for Kunst). 

museumsandstuff:

Should more PhDs study at Museums?

Video from the New York Times which looks at students studying for their PhDs at the Natural History Museum, rather than typical universities. I’ve never heard of this happening in the UK or in Austria (feel free to correct me!), but this sounds like a fantastic way for museums to expand their collections research and make the most of the collections that aren’t on display.

From my own personal experience too, this could help overcome some of the problems of access that researchers have in accessing collections. If people were given desk space, or became a regular fixture, there is more freedom and less constraints in allowing them to access the stores. There is no reason why instead of teaching obligations in other universities (not Austria), students could also hold seminars and public lectures for lifelong learners and help in the creation of exhibitions, as well as the more traditional conferences and publications. If anything, I think for many students in this field, the museum would be a much better fit than universities, who in turn could have links to academics at nearby universities for support and academic input, in addition to the expertise on site. 

It would also provide the both the academic rigour required of this level of research and qualification, whilst also helping would-be curators who often leave univeristy with fantastic qualifications but struggle for concrete, non-voluntary experience on their CV.

Thoughts everyone?

Source: museumsandstuff