Overview

The Department of History of Art offers a broad-based master's programme, which enables you to study a range of periods and approaches before specialising for your dissertation. The MA draws on the research strengths of all members of the department, which includes specialists in medieval, renaissance and modern art.

We aim to help you develop an informed understanding of the main strands of art history, as practised in Europe and North America. We also offer curatorial units in collaboration with external museum partners, through which you will learn to research and catalogue museum collections and to mount exhibitions.

Our students are drawn from a variety of backgrounds. Some have undergraduate degrees in art history, others do not, and some are working artists. Studying for this MA is a chance to become part of a thriving academic community, with a sizeable and close-knit student body and a lively programme of research and social events.

Programme structure

You will study two core units and then select four optional units. Part-time students study the core units in the first year and stagger their optional units across the two years of the degree.

The research component of the programme is written over the summer and is submitted in September.

Three-hour optional units are delivered in two sessions that are frequently scheduled on multiple weekdays.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in History of Art.

Entry requirements

Degrees outside this list must include a 2:1 or equivalent in at least four modules which demonstrate theoretical understanding and written analysis of either Literature, Film & Television or Art at undergraduate level.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£14,100 per year
UK: part-time (two years)
£7,050 per year
Overseas: full-time
£28,200 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Funding and studentship opportunities are listed on the Faculty of Arts funding pages.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Students who have graduated from the MA in History of Art have gone on to careers in a variety of fields, including journalism, art consultancy, buying and marketing, galleries and more.