Study Details: MA 1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
In contemporary society, with innovative technologies for visual research and communication, the ability to analyse images, art and architecture is more valuable than ever.
Our flexible course has exceptional historical and geographical breadth and depth, encompassing architecture, art objects and their related visual practices from the antique to the contemporary.
You'll study a core module and choose four option modules. You'll also have the ability to later focus your academic interests with your dissertation topic choice.
The course caters for generalists with broad interests, and those who are coming to art history from another discipline. If you take the general route through the course, you can choose from all the available options, and you can devise a programme that meets your specific interests. This will give you the flexibility to study art by time period, to focus on a specific medium, or to pursue a specific methodological perspective.
Alternatively, you can take one of four pathway routes through the programme, in Architectural History and Theory, Curating, Fashion History and Islamic Arts and Cultures. This will allow a degree of specialism in your module option choices and dissertation topic.
We are one of the largest History of Art departments in the UK. We have developed successful partnerships with museums, galleries and country houses that will enrich your studies and may offer you placement opportunities and privileged access to collections.
2:2 or equivalent.
We will consider applications from mature students or applicants without formal academic qualifications if you have substantial related experience. We may ask you for an interview in this instance.
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
We offer amazing partnerships and placements with numerous museums and galleries that will help you in your future career. We work with the architectural and design department of the V&A, the National Gallery, Tate, and York Museums Trust. We have excellent relationships with regional museums, galleries and country houses— including the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Castle Howard, the Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and The Henry Moore Institute. Our collaborations will support your learning and research, with the opportunities for exclusive partnership studentships, work experience and privileged access to collections. The course prepares you for higher research degrees and a range of possible careers. Read about some of our alumni and where their degree has taken them.
As well as your core module, you will study four option modules and complete a dissertation. If you're on a pathway, at least two of these option modules must be in your chosen pathway area and your dissertation must be on a related topic.
Core modules
Research Skills in History of Art
Option modules
You'll choose four options. If you're taking the general route through the programme, these can be in any subject area. If you take one of the pathways, you'll choose two or more in your chosen area. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information, please get in touch.
All option modules
American Carnage: Politics, Violence and Subjectivity in Art, 1990-Now
Art and Imagery in York Minster
South Asian Renaissance: Early Modern Indian Court Painting, 1526-1857
JMW Turner
Makers, Making, and Modes of Fashion Production Since 1765
Art, Magic and the Miraculous in Renaissance Italy
Ceramic Arts of the Islamic World: Curating Histories
Painting on Light: Stained Glass in the Medieval Tradition
Rethinking Aestheticism
The Modern Woman: Fashion and Global Modernities Since 1780
Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology
We've split relevant modules from the above list into their pathway topics:
Curating pathway
Gain the practical skills needed to lead curatorial projects and engage with pressing ethical issues in the field.
Ceramic Arts of the Islamic World: Curating Histories
JMW Turner
Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology
Fashion history pathway
Apply dress and textile research to answer novel questions about the modern world. You'll develop global and local connections through engaging with mediums from public history to academic writing.
Makers, Making, and Modes of Fashion Production Since 1765
The Modern Woman: Fashion and Global Modernities Since 1780
Islamic art and cultures pathway
Develop a deep understanding of the material culture of the Islamic world, from the seventh century to today.
South Asian Renaissance: Early Modern Indian Court Painting, 1526-1857
Ceramic Arts of the Islamic World: Curating Histories
Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology
Interdisciplinary option modules
You can also choose a limited number of modules from those offered by other humanities departments at York and by our centres.
Centre for Medieval Studies (CMS)
Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (CREMS)
Centre for Eighteenth-Century Studies (CECS)
Centre for Modern Studies (CModS)
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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