Art History and CuratingMA
- RankingTop 100QS World Rankings 2024
- Delivery formatIn person
- Duration1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
- AwardMaster of Arts
- Entry requirementsA 2:1 Honours Degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject
- Fees£10,900 (full-time) / £5,450 (part-time)
Page contents
Course overview
Do you want to pursue your love of art history, ready for a career in the arts and curating sectors? Conduct original research into art objects and discover how to curate historical and contemporary art.
You’ll also establish important professional networks and gain vital practical skills, invaluable to museum and commercial sectors.
We also offer a distance learning programme over 18 months. Find out more about the PGCert Art History and Curating by distance learning.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
Course highlights
You’ll study in our internationally renowned on-campus art gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Classes are also taught at other galleries in Birmingham.
(Please note due to essential building works the Barber Institute of Fine Arts will be closed Spring 2025-Spring 2026).
You’ll complete a curatorial project working with our academic staff and museum professionals from our partner organisations. Recent partners include The Barber Institute of Fine Arts in a unique partnership with the Royal Collection Trust and Grand Union, an Arts Council England portfolio organisation.
- Expand your understanding of different areas of museum and art gallery practice, such as art interpretation; modes of display; marketing; access and learning; administration and finance; and art handling.
- Contribute to the department’s official blog, ‘The Golovine’ and the annual History of Art symposium.
- Prepare for your future by gaining practical skills curating your own exhibition and pitching your own business ideas in our Enterprising Culture module.
Work on the curation of an exciting public exhibition.
Be inspired in our world-class on-campus art gallery.
Expand your knowledge in areas such as art handling and modes of display.
Industry connections at your ingertips
Our Barber Institute of Fine Arts boasts a specialist, research-level library, containing books and catalogues on Western art. These cover the major European schools of painting from the early Renaissance to the 21st century and the history of collecting.
What’s more, the Department’s partnership with the Barber Institute of Fine Arts offers you opportunities to take part in curatorial projects. Previous curatorial projects by students have led to public programmes, an art collective, publications and exhibitions. On these curatorial projects you’ll benefit from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts’ unique collaborations with major national institutions such as the Royal Collection, Wobourn Abbey, and the V&A.
We expect to offer you educational opportunities with our current external museum and gallery partners as part of this programme. However, we review our partnerships regularly and the opportunities available may change before your programme begins, or during your programme. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Programme Lead.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History of Art.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 15,000 word dissertation in an area that interests you.
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.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LM Postgraduate Research Training and Methods A | 10 | Semester 1 |
LM Postgraduate Research Training and Methods B | 10 | Semester 2 |
LM Approaches in Curating | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Criticism and Methods in the History of Art and Visual Culture | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Curatorial Project | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Dissertation (MA History of Art) | 60 | Full Term |
Students must take 2 x 20 credit optional modules chosen from a list provided by the department each year.
The following is an indicative list:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LM Enterprising Culture | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Exhibition Cultures | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Made in Birmingham. Art and Urban Space | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Queer Art From Britain Since 1957 | 20 | |
LM What is British Art? | 20 | Semester 1 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2.1 Honours degree
in History of Art
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in History of Art. We will also consider a different Humanities or Arts subject, provided you can demonstrate your interest in History of Art. This might be through relevant work experience or studying relevant modules during your Honours degree.
If your Honours degree is a high 2:2 (57% or above, or equivalent GPA) and you have extensive professional experience, or you can document mitigating circumstances that affected your undergraduate studies, you should contact the Programme Lead before making an application.
We recommend using the personal statement to outline your interest in History of Art and any previous or current experience you have in this area.
If you’ve been out of education for several years, we will consider professional references in place of the standard two academic references.
Please be aware: places on this programme are limited as we can only accommodate a limited number of students on our curatorial projects.
Due to the competitive nature of the programme, we strongly advise you apply early.
Applications received before January 2025 will get first priority. Applications will then be reviewed again in March 2025 and May 2025.
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.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
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.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 31 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Art History, Curating and Visual Studies at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to research and analyse information, write to tight deadlines, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
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:
- Artisan Alchemy Gallery
- Wolverhampton Art Gallery
- Secondary Schools
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
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.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.