Master in History of Art and Museum Studies
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The Master in History of Art and Museum Studies degree is awarded from Sorbonne University in Paris and delivered by world-class academics at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. The programme offers diverse approaches to the theory and history of museums, their missions and functions.
Students will study the evolution of museums and their relevance in education. They will learn about collections management, exhibition planning and design, communication and education, acquisitions, loans and collaborations with galleries and cultural organisations.
Students will study the history of museums by exploring their missions and functions on a national and global scale. They will use their analytical proficiency to objectively critique works of art and confidently discuss art movements which will improve visual and critical thinking capabilities. They will learn about the properties of various materials and techniques used by artists throughout history. This degree highlights various art movements from different cultures and encourages students to explore the role of art in relation to other disciplines as well as to examine how art connects cultures, societies and media
Programme highlights
Aligning individual & national development
Within the next decade, the UAE will be the scene for the development of a strong artistic legacy in the region. In Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island aims to be a multi-faceted cultural destination and will host some of the most compelling museums in the world, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim museums. Dubai has emerged as a regional art hub with its numerous galleries and Sharjah boasts a wide range of Art museums and exhibitions.
Networking
Each class will have a limited number of students from different countries. A strict entry selection procedure will guarantee the quality of the degree and will allow you to expand your personal network with high-potential peers.
International Recognition
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi offers the combined experience of the world-renowned Department of Art History and Archaeology at Sorbonne University along with an exclusive collaboration with the École du Louvre. Both these French institutions are internationally acclaimed as two of the best places to study Art History, Archaeology and Museum Studies. This rich heritage of joint excellence is now available in Abu Dhabi under the Ministry of Education and is recognised worldwide.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships are available for this programme*:
- 20% alumni discount
- 25% academic excellence scholarship
- 25% discount upon enrolment on a second master’s degree
- 5%-15% corporate offer
Visit our website for more information.
Curriculum
Year 1 – Semester 1
Art History and Archaeology I
- Oriental Archaeology
- Antique Art (Greek or Roman)
- Modern Art (XVth-XVIIIth c.)
- History of Techniques
Heritage, Museums and Collections
- History of Heritage
- History and Contemporary Issues of Collections
- Museums' History and Contemporary Issues
- Archaeological Sites and Museums
Art History and Archaeology II
- Islamic Art
- Medieval Art
- Asian Art
- Iconography
Language
- French or English for Art Historians
Year 1 – Semester 2
Art History and Archaeology III
- Egyptology or Extra European: Prehispanic Art/African Art
- Western Contemporary Art
- Contemporary Art in the Arab World
- Aesthetics and Historiography
Museums Administration and Management
- Economical and Political Issues
- Scientific and Cultural Program of the Museum
- Museum Acquisition, Policy and Strategy
- International Law Applied to Museums and Artworks
Museum Missions and Issues
- Conservation in Museum
- The Basics of Museography
- Documentation
- Audiences and Museum
- Tools of Cultural Mediation and Education
Language
- French or English for Art Historians
Year 2 – Semester 3
Museum’s Collection Management
- The Basics of Collection Management and Registration
- Registration (including registration applied to contemporary art)
- Preventive Conservation and Restoration
- Documentation and New Technologies
Exhibitions
- Temporary Exhibitions
- Scenography and Exhibition Design
- Exhibition Production
- Contemporary Issues
Museum Programming, Communication and Diffusion
- Temporary Programming in Museums
- Graphic Design and Publications (from labels to print catalogs and web design)
- Communication and Museum (actors and networks)
- Digital Tools and Digital Humanities
Language
- French or English for Art Historians
Year 2 – Semester 4
Application Seminar and Dissertation
- Application Seminar (Internship in Paris) and Dissertation (discussion in Abu Dhabi)
Internship
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has integrated a mandatory internship in the second year.
The internship will encourage critical thinking and improve students’ reasoning abilities by blending academic theory with real life work experience. Students will benefit from a greater depth of experience working in a professional environment.
Students will spend 12 weeks at a French museum in Paris to discover French cultural heritage, meet professionals and build their network to further develop the relations between French and Emirati museums.
Master’s thesis
Students will be required to submit an extended essay based on their internship.
Career Opportunities
There are abundant rewarding career opportunities on a regional and global scale in museums, galleries, heritage centres, cultural institutions and auction houses with varied areas of expertise ranging from collections, exhibitions and art fairs, education, art publishing, art conservation, interpretation and art journalism.
Graduates can look forward to interesting positions such as Production Managers, Cultural Programmers, Curators, Literature Reviewers, Collection Supervisors, Registrars, Educational Managers, Editorial and Multimedia Managers, Public Policy Advisors and Communication Officers amongst others.