Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Arts in Art History

The Master of Arts in Art History is a unique program that delivers research-based teaching by world-class scholars. It is designed to empower students to acquire specialized knowledge and skills for further academic study, professional careers in the arts, or other related creative industries.

What is Art History?

Art history is the academic discipline that teaches students to understand the significance of works of art in their historical contexts. It should not be equated with art appreciation or art criticism, which mainly evaluate and explain the relative "beauty" or "value" of an artwork through discussion of form and subjective experience. Rather, art historians engage in critical, historical inquiry into the meaning and function of visual media. Art history teaches visual literacy, which helps practitioners recognize the ways in which images communicate and shape human perceptions about history, society, politics, religion, and culture.

Programme Structure

• Students enroll and participate in seven courses, including the dissertation, and explore various themes, time periods, and subjects in art history.
  • For each class, students engage in reading and analyzing advanced scholarly texts and contribute to lively class discussions.
  • Students will be asked to write analytical essays of various lengths on the history of art and museum practices.
  • In addition to classroom-related assignments, students spend a significant amount of time conducting independent research for term papers as well as for their dissertation projects.
  • By the end of the program, students focus on a chosen research topic and write a dissertation of 10,000 words, under the supervision of a recognized authority in the chosen field of inquiry.

Programme Expectations

The workload, which is heavy on reading and writing, should be understood as commensurate with that of a full-time job.

Application and Admission

• The 2026/2027 application will open on 2 Oct 2025.
• Application deadlines:
  • Round 1: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), December 31, 2025
  • Round 2: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), March 02, 2026
  • Round 3: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), May 04, 2026
• Requirements for admission:
  • We prefer applicants with an undergraduate CGPA of 3.0/4.0.
  • For English language requirements, please refer to the specific guidelines.
  • Under certain circumstances, students who do not meet these requirements may still be considered if the application addresses any inconsistencies in the undergraduate record or presents a reasonable argument for exception.

MA vs. MPhil Programme

• The MA is a taught master’s degree, requiring students to complete six courses and write a capstone dissertation of 10,000 words.
• The MPhil, in contrast, is a two-year research-focused degree, where students take only a few short courses and complete a much longer dissertation under the supervision of their primary supervisor.
• The MAAH qualifies students to apply for our 4-year PhD programme; the MPhil qualifies students to apply for our 3-year PhD programme.

Type of MA Candidates

We are looking for applicants with a background in art history and professionals who are already working in art-related fields. However, we will also consider applicants with a strong academic foundation and significant art-related experience, even if they are coming from another field of study or work.

Part-time MA Option

At the moment, we only offer a full-time option, and all our classes are held on weekdays during the daytime.

Academic Writing Sample

Please submit a piece of no more than 5,000 words (including footnotes and bibliography). Ideally, the piece should be in the format of a research essay, and the topic should relate to some aspects of art history (if not, in the field of humanities).

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a critical component of your application because it allows us to better understand you, your interest in art history, and your understanding of the program. Be as specific as possible, explaining why and how certain experiences inspired you or were transformative. Use the personal statement to impress us about your knowledge of the discipline of art history or to explain what you don’t know but wish to learn. If you don’t have a background in art history, explain why you still think you would make a good candidate.