History of Art MA

The course covers an extensive range of artists, movements and historical periods. You’ll explore the breadth of art history, taught by renowned expert academics who teach in exciting and innovative ways to make sure your studies are engaging and transformative.

Gain practical skills on our optional Enterprising Cultures module, exploring how arts organisations operate commercially and pitch your own business ideas in the arts sector. 

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

(Please note due to essential building works the Barber Institute of Fine Arts will be closed Spring 2025-Spring 2026).

You’ll discover artistic inspiration across campus, with our art, heritage and sculpture collections, including work by famed sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi.

The city of Birmingham also boasts a dynamic portfolio of established and emerging art galleries and installations, including the internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue Ikon and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, particularly famed for specialising in the Pre-Raphaelites.

• Our study options include a British Art pathway plus a wide range of optional modules.
• Become part of a thriving postgraduate community. Contribute to the department’s official blog, The Golovine, and attend regular research seminars.
• Our alumni work for renowned organisations such as the National Portrait Gallery, the National Trust, the Royal Academy, Imperial War Museum and the V&A.

Explore the British Art Pathway

This optional pathway examines how art has shaped national identities. You’ll explore British art from the eighteenth century to the present day, considering postcolonial and decolonisation perspectives. You’ll also uncover the rich art history here in Birmingham and the West Midlands, discovering the effect of international trends on local works of art. You’ll benefit from the Department’s connections with regional and national galleries, including Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery with a vast collection of Pre-Raphaelite art, and Wolverhampton Art Gallery with their BLK Art Group collection.

Equally, you’ll benefit from the Department’s close relationship with national institutions concentrating on British Art. Colleagues from The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, part of Yale University based in London, have delivered guest seminars as part of the course since 2021; and a series of Research Seminars will introduce students to cutting-edge research from across the country.

• Taught modules - each 20-credit 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 books and catalogues about art history, visual culture, curating and collecting. 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 for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any 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:

MA History of Art (British Art) Pathway:

If students wish to undertake the British Art pathway, the following modules must be taken alongside the above compulsory modules:

MA History of Art:

Students must take 4 x 20 credit optional modules chosen from a list of Special Subjects and other options provided by the department each year. Students studying under the British Art Pathway will need to select 2x20 credit options.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

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.

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.

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.