Program Overview

MA Art History and Theory

The MA Art History and Theory is a postgraduate course offered by the University of Essex. This program is ideal for individuals interested in working in academia, the art world, or any other field where visual, written, and analytical skills are essential.

Overview

The course is based in the School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies and is available on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students have the freedom to study what most interests them, with topics including Early Modern art and architecture, the history of photography, modern and contemporary art, curatorial practice and exhibition design, as well as more vernacular forms of visual culture.

Research-Based Teaching

The University of Essex is committed to research-based teaching, with a particular emphasis on bringing the approaches of art history into contact with other disciplines and discourses. This facilitates a critical engagement with artworks and forms of visual culture, both within and beyond the traditional canons of art history.

Specialist Facilities

The University boasts excellent facilities, including the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA), which is the most comprehensive Latin American art research resource in the UK. The Art Exchange, an on-site gallery, runs an ongoing program of contemporary art exhibitions, talks, and workshops. Additionally, the University's location allows for easy access to London's world-class museums and galleries.

Expert Staff

The staff at the University of Essex are a dynamic group of art historians who investigate the production and reception of images and built environments across cultures and media. Their research interests include activist art, modernist art and totalitarianism, the relationship between art and science, and the artistic status of body modification.

Course Structure

The course structure is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Components and Modules

• Dissertation - MA Schemes: A 20,000-word dissertation on a chosen area of research.
• Art History option(s): Students can choose from a range of art history modules.
• Seminar Series for Art History: A co-curricular module comprising a series of fortnightly lectures by academics and museum professionals.

Teaching

Postgraduate students usually attend a one-hour lecture and one-hour seminar for each module each week. The teaching approach includes:

• Full-time for one year or part-time over two years
• Two-hour seminars with discussion based on a program of reading
• Cutting-edge research-based teaching across the areas of staff expertise
• Frequent museum and gallery trips led by academic staff

Assessment

Assessment for the course is normally on the basis of coursework and the supervised dissertation.

Fees and Funding

• Home/UK fee: ｣11,025
• International fee: ｣23,875
• Scholarships and financial support may be available to help with the cost of the course.

What's Next

The University holds Open Days for all applicants throughout the year, providing an opportunity to tour the campus, find out more about the courses, and meet students and staff. Applications can be made online, and the University aims to respond to applications within two weeks.