Fast Track AMA

The Fast Track AMA programme lasts for 12 months, with the expectation that you will participate in a professional review (the end-point assessment) within that 12-month period.

The programme starts with registration in month 1 and you’ll submit the paperwork for your professional review in month 12, with the professional review itself undertaken in month 13. If you’re ready, your professional review can be brought forward before month 13.

The AMA usually takes three years to complete, and as such participating in the Fast Track AMA means you will have a much shorter timeframe in which to work on any gaps in your professional competence, undertake your project and prepare for your professional review.

Unlike other AMA candidates who only need to have 12 months of experience in or with museums, Fast Track AMA participants need to have been active and contributing to the sector for five years. This means you should have developed your professional practice to an enhanced level and as such should be able to progress effectively within the 12-month period.

The Fast Track requires candidates to work in a more focused way to develop expertise, manage a project and prepare paperwork to a tighter timescale. We have established a formal expression of interest process to ensure Fast Track AMA candidates are embarking on the right programme.

It is expected that you will participate in your AMA journey for 12 months. At the end of that time you will participate in the end-point assessment, your professional review, and you will be awarded your AMA.

Your AMA journey is supported by an AMA mentor, participation in AMA support groups, and dedicated AMA workshops exploring the MA’s strategic priorities and campaign areas as they relate to the Competency Framework.

To be eligible to participate in the end-point assessment you must have completed 36 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) as a minimum, and be approved as ready for assessment by your AMA mentor and the MA.

Not at all. You can choose the AMA pathway which best suits your needs.

The reasons for participating in the AMA programme are varied – for example, Fast Track AMA candidates may put more emphasis on the validation and recognition of existing competence, whereas a regular AMA candidate may focus on deeper professional development around new areas of competence and expertise.

Candidates may also have different starting points and different capacities to immerse themselves in the programme.

If you feel that the Fast Track is not for you, our workforce development lead Tamsin can talk you through other options.

Should you take longer than 12 months to complete your AMA or if you are unsuccessful at the end-point assessment (the professional review), you can continue with your AMA into a second year, and the next annual fee of £120 will be applied.

If you find the Fast Track to be too fast-paced, we can easily transfer you onto the regular AMA programme, giving you greater flexibility over the timeframe within which you complete your award. You can also pause your AMA journey.

For the years that you are actively working towards your AMA, an annual fee of £120 will be applied.

Your AMA is assessed through the submission of a final review document and a 1.5-hour end-point conversation with two sector professionals, known as a professional review.

If you have met the competency requirements, you will be awarded your AMA. If you’ve been unsuccessful, you will continue your journey until you are ready to participate in another professional review.