Program Overview

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Master of Arts in Art History (Critical Curatorial Studies) (MA)

The Master of Arts in Art History (Critical Curatorial Studies) (MA) is a graduate program that focuses on the emerging field of Critical and Curatorial Studies (CCST). This field of scholarship and training examines the roles and responsibilities of curators and critics as mediators between objects, institutions, experiences, individuals, and groups.

Overview

Critical and Curatorial Studies (CCST) involves investigating and negotiating various disciplinary fields, including ethnography, aesthetics, organizational behavior, and cultural studies. The main focus is on contemporary conditions of display and understanding. The program aims to address the growing need for curators and critics who have theoretical knowledge and practical experience in analyzing institutions, preparing displays, and communicating about contemporary art.

Program Structure

CCST students take three required graduate seminars that engage with historical frameworks and contemporary contextual issues within curatorial practice, and case studies in exhibitions and institutions. These seminars are open to other graduate students and foster interesting dialogues on issues surrounding curation. CCST students supplement their knowledge with Art History courses and are given the opportunity to take additional credits outside the department. They are also challenged to achieve reading knowledge of a language other than English for their language requirement.

Quick Facts

• Faculty: Faculty of Arts
• Academic Unit: Department of Art History, Visual Art & Theory
• Specialization: Art History (Critical Curatorial Studies)
• Mode of delivery: In person at UBC Vancouver
• Program Components: Coursework + Major Project/Essay required
• Tuition (First Year):
  • Domestic: $5,626.02
  • International: $9,883.98

Admission Information & Requirements

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program may have additional requirements.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of the application.

• TOEFL:
  • Overall score requirement: 100
  • Reading: 22
  • Writing: 21
  • Speaking: 21
  • Listening: 22
• IELTS:
  • Overall score requirement: 7.0
  • Reading: 6.5
  • Writing: 6.5
  • Speaking: 6.5
  • Listening: 6.5

Prior Degree Requirements

Students admitted to the M.A. degree program must normally have preparation in the discipline equivalent to the undergraduate major in Art History at UBC.

Deadlines

• Canadian Applicant Deadline: January 9, 2026 (for September 2026 intake)
• International Applicant Deadline: January 9, 2026 (for September 2026 intake)

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Application Fee: $118.50 (Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat), $168.25 (International)
• Tuition per year:
  • Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat: $5,626.02
  • International: $9,883.98
• International Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible): $3,200.00
• Other Fees and Costs:
  • Student Fees (yearly): $1,144.10 (approx.)
  • Costs of living: Estimate your costs of living with our interactive tool to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including employer support, scholarships & awards, financial aid, foreign government scholarships, and working while studying.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

• Applications: 26 (2023), 18 (2022), 25 (2021), 25 (2020), 17 (2019)
• Offers: 5 (2023), 4 (2022), 4 (2021), 4 (2020), 4 (2019)
• New Enrolment: 4 (2023), 4 (2022), 4 (2021), 2 (2020), 3 (2019)
• Total Enrolment: 10 (2023), 10 (2022), 9 (2021), 9 (2020), 7 (2019)
• Graduation rate: 89% based on 9 students admitted between 2015-2018
• Minimum time to completion: 2.05 years
• Maximum time to completion: 5.47 years
• Average time to completion: 2.56 years

Related Programs

• Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD)
• Master of Arts in Art History (MA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art (MFA)

Further Information

• Specialization: Art History (Critical Curatorial Studies)
• Faculty: Faculty of Arts
• Academic Unit: Department of Art History, Visual Art & Theory
• Program Identifier: VGMMAA-DJ
• Classification: Humanities and the arts » Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music), architecture and design » Curatorial and related studies