Study Details: MA 1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
The vast chronological and geographical range of medieval cultures has been constantly rethought, reinterpreted and reinvented in subsequent epochs.
You’ll explore the extraordinarily rich material legacy of the period, including urban structures, places of worship, sites of government, and universities. At York you’ll be able to study in one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Our flexible course enables you to learn about art geographically across much of Europe and the Islamic world. You can investigate a wide variety of art objects and their related visual practices, and take modules from related disciplines.
We have developed successful partnerships with museums, churches and galleries that will enrich your studies, and may offer you placement opportunities and privileged access to collections of medieval art.
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 York Minster, the York Museums Trust, the National Gallery, Tate, and the V&A. We have excellent relationships with regional museums, galleries, churches 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 through modules jointly designed with the partnership institution, and with 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.
The MA will introduce you to some key aspects of studying medieval art and architecture, such as issues in conservation or the political appropriations of medieval monuments to construct nationalisms. You will have choice of a wide range of modules giving you the opportunity to study medieval art chronologically, to focus on one or more media, or to pursue a particular methodological perspective.
Two of your option modules must be from those designated to medieval art and medievalisms, and your dissertation must be on a medieval art and medievalisms theme.
Core modules
Research Skills in History of Art
Option modules
You will also study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Medieval option modules
Art and Imagery in York Minster
South Asian Renaissance: Indian Court Painting, c.1526-1857
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
Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology
Other option modules
American Carnage: Politics, Violence and Subjectivity in Art, 1990-Now
JMW Turner
Makers, Making, and Modes of Fashion Production since 1765
Rethinking Aestheticism
The Modern Woman: Fashion and Global Modernities 1780-1940
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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