History of ArtMRes

Develop the skills for both doctoral study and a future career. You'll broaden your knowledge of the History of Art through taught modules to become a confident independent researcher and you’ll complete a major individual research project supervised by a specialist in the field.

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time on campus. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

Our academics offer expertise in a range of areas from the medieval period to contemporary art and are excited to hear about research proposals exploring art from across the world.                                

• Contribute to the Department's research blog ‘The Golovine’ sharing life in the Department for our students and researchers.        
• Enhance your studies at our on-campus art gallery, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts. There's also a range of art galleries across Birmingham and the West Midlands for you to explore. 
• Benefit from one of the best resourced departments of History of Art in the country with the Barber Institute research library, the University Main Library and the Special Collections of the Cadbury Research Library at your fingertips.      
• Study in the 8th Art History department in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average, according to Times Higher Education. 
• An MRes combines the best of postgraduate taught study with in-depth independent research.

Midlands Art Papers

At Birmingham, we use our research expertise to support the crucial work Midlands arts and cultural organisations do to champion, develop and protect our artistic culture and heritage. Our Midlands Arts Papers is an open-access online journal and collaborative curatorial programme between the University of Birmingham and 13 cultural partners. Each journal has a specific theme and showcases the outstanding works of art and design in public collections across the Midlands. 

An MRes is a programme that helps you develop the skills for doctoral study and a future career.

You’ll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and produce a 20,000-word thesis in an area that interests you. You’ll also complete a taught component that develops research and analytical skills.

Facilities

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is our on-campus art gallery, which is open to students, staff and the wider public.

The galleries contain artwork by artists such as Botticelli, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Renoir.

There's a wealth of resources for you to use during your studies, from the Barber Fine Art Library to The Prints and Drawings Study Room.

The Fine Art Library contains specialist research-level books, exhibition catalogues and sale catalogues on Western art covering many major European schools of painting from the early Renaissance to the 21st century. The Prints and Drawings Study Room houses a collection of prints, drawings and watercolours including works by Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt van Rijn, and JMW Turner.

 We want to make you aware that The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is currently undergoing a two-phase £10 million improvement programme. Phase One took place in 2023-2024 and Phase Two will include temporarily closing the Barber Institute's building from February 2025, reopening early 2026. This is so we can make essential repairs and upgrades to enhance your future experience. Find out more about the renovations.

It’s important to remember that our academic excellence is not confined to a single building or gallery. Our university boasts award-winning art installations across the campus and the wider city of Birmingham, providing you with countless opportunities for artistic inspiration and academic growth. Our expert academics, renowned in their fields, will guide you through your learning in exciting and innovative ways, ensuring that your studies continue to be engaging and transformative.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students must choose a 20 credit optional module:

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant area.

Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. Before you submit your application, we ask that you contact the programme director in the first instance via the ‘Ask us a question’ button above, to discuss your research proposal. 

If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal, and potential supervisors, before you make a formal application.

When contacting a member of our staff, it would be helpful to include the following:

• A draft research proposal or a summary of your research ideas
• Details of university-level qualifications and any relevant professional experience
• Details on how you propose to fund your research

Please contact only one member of staff in the first instance.

Find a supervisor

View our list of research supervisors in Art History, Curating and Visual Studies.

Research proposal

The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department. 

The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. 

Submitting your application 

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.

Our Art History, Curating and Visual Studies graduates enter many roles, including:

• Gallery managers and curators
• Exhibition curator
• Secondary School Teacher

Employers our Art History, Curating and Visual Studies graduates have worked for include:

• Imperial War Museums
• Saatchi Gallery
• Secondary schools

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.