
MA in History of Art
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
29 Aug 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,900 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 12 May 2025 for international students
** £10,900: full time | £5,450: part time
Introduction
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.
Study in our internationally renowned on-campus art gallery and library, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. You’ll also study in 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 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.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
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.
Explore scholarships and funding
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £4,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries and £5,000 scholarships to students joining us from India.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student you can take advantage of our wide range of University run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
Curriculum
Please visit the course webpage below for up-to-date information on modules.
Program Tuition Fee
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:
- Imperial War Museums
- Saatchi Gallery
- Secondary schools
Program delivery
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 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.