Adult learning

The British Museum stands for the promotion of diversity and the preservation of human achievement, knowledge, curiosity and sheer fun.

Enjoy learning in one of the world’s greatest museums. There is something for everyone, from absolute beginners to the more experienced. Events take place in the galleries, the Great Court or the Clore Education Centre.

• A daily programme of free introductory tours in the galleries
• Hands On. Handle genuine objects from the Museum’s collection with our trained volunteers
• Meet the curators. Daily free lunchtime gallery talks. Some are sign interpreted.
• Practical workshops from drawing and stone carving to calligraphy
• Occasional films on subjects relevant to permanent or temporary displays
• Learn English with our special ESOL tours
• Courses and study days on everything from archaeology to Buddhist art and from Chinese brush painting to Native American culture.
• Lectures and debates every Thursday night

More information in What’s on

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)

The British Museum runs a programme of free 90 minute tours for ESOL students. These may be general tours covering parts of the permanent collection or tours of special exhibitions.

More information about ESOL

Study and research facilities

The Museum collection is available for researchers of all different levels, through permanent and temporary displays, as well as libraries and study rooms.

The Paul Hamlyn library is the Museum's main public library and holds around 18,000 books on subjects relating to the Museum collection and the cultures it represents. It also holds journals and publications on relevant subjects.

More information on Museum libraries

Department study rooms and libraries

Members of the public can also conduct research in each of the Museum's curatorial and research departments where study rooms and libraries provide access to the collection.

Africa, Oceania and the Americas

Ancient Egypt and Sudan

Asia

Coins and Medals

Conservation, Documentation and Science

Greek and Roman Antiquities

Middle East

Prehistory and Europe

Prints and Drawings

Online

Browse information about more than 250,000 objects using the Collection database online.

The database currently includes the Museum’s collection of two-dimensional pictorial art

Search the collection

Access highlights from the collection online in the Explore section of this website, which contains detailed information about more than 4,000 objects.

Explore highlights of the collection

For more information on all the Museum's adult learning facilities, contact the Learning and Audiences Department:

email: learning@britishmuseum.org
telephone: +44 (0)20 7323 8850
fax: +44 (0)20 7323 8855