Graduate Diploma in the History of Art

Program Overview

The Graduate Diploma in the History of Art at The Courtauld Institute of Art is a 9-month program designed to equip graduates of other disciplines with the skills and knowledge to study art history. The program offers a broad overview of art and architecture from late antiquity to the present, across the globe, and prepares graduates for careers in the art world or other fields.

Program Outline

Graduate Diploma in the History of Art: A Detailed Extraction

Degree Overview:

Status:

Applications Open

Location:

Vernon Square Kings Cross, London WC1X 9EP (during The Courtauld Connects project)

Duration:

9 months (full-time)

Awarding body:

University of London

Intake:

30 students per year

Objectives:

• Equips graduates of other disciplines with skills to study Art History.
• Provides a broad overview of the possibilities of Art History.
• Prepares graduates for careers in the art world or other fields.
• Caters to individuals seeking personal development through art history.

Description:

• Concentrated form of the undergraduate degree.
• Opportunity to study art and architecture from late antiquity to the present, across the globe.
• Taught by researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.
• Modules change from year to year, reflecting the latest research.
• Prepares graduates for careers in the art world, education, publishing, and other fields.

Outline:

Structure:

• Two semesters.
• Mixture of lectures and seminars.
• "Foundations" modules offer a broad picture of art historical themes and methods.
• Two further core modules: Physical Histories and Exhibiting Art.
• Selection of modules across both semesters focusing on specific themes, periods, and approaches.
• 5,000-word assessed essay to explore a specific issue and develop research skills.

Modules:

• Foundations 1 & 2: A series of lectures covering major themes and issues from antiquity to the present day, supported by discussion classes.
• Physical Histories: A new module in semester 1 focusing on understanding and interpreting works of art through close examination of their material characteristics.
• Optional modules: Two modules chosen from a range of options exploring different art histories and critical methods.
Examples include:
• From Shiraz to Beijing: Persian Arts in the Global Fifteenth Century
• Cold War Cultures: Art in a Divided World 1945–1991
• Mapping Contemporary Asian Art
• Approaching Van Eyck: Problems and Perspectives
• From London to Namibia: Art, Travel and Imagination in the Middle Ages
• Writing on Sculpture: Making, Inscribing and Viewing
• Questions of Feminism
• Writing French Modernism from Mallarmé to Matisse
• Artists, Radicals, Mystics: European Art c. 1800
• Assessed Essay: 5,000-word essay on a subject of the student's choice, supported by a faculty supervisor.

Assessment:

• All elements of the course must be taken (120 credits total).
• Assessment breakdown:
• Foundations: 15 credits (12.5%) per semester
• Physical Histories: 15 credits (12.5%)
• Exhibiting Art: 15 credits (12.5%)
• Optional modules: 15 credits per semester (25%)
• 5,000-word essay: 30 credits (25%)

Teaching:

• Mixture of lectures and seminars with small group sizes for interactive learning.
• Diverse faculty with expertise in various fields of art history.
• Additional support available through a personal tutor, study sessions, and workshops.

Careers:

• Equips students with highly transferable skills for employment or further academic study.
• Graduates acquire knowledge and understanding of art history, research skills, and communication skills.
• Career paths include:
• Curators, Conservators, Art Dealers, Auction House experts, Lawyers, Entrepreneurs
• Publishers, Media professionals, Teachers, Banking and Finance, Journalists
• Business / Marketing & Communications, Fashion buyers, Civil servants
• Bespoke careers guidance and support available to all students throughout their studies and up to two years after graduation.

Other:

• The program attracts a diverse cohort of students, fostering a unique sense of community.
• Many graduates pursue further postgraduate work in art history.
• Some graduates pursue careers in the art world, education, publishing, and other fields.
• Others take the Diploma for personal development and satisfaction.