Program Overview

Art History Master's Degree Program

The Art History Master's Degree Program at the University of Basel aims to identify, investigate, and convey the historical, social, political, and aesthetic dimensions of artistic and cultural heritage. The program focuses on linking contemporary questions with historical research by promoting analytical engagement with visual and artistic media combined with historical reflection.

Focal Areas of Teaching and Research

The Department of Art History focuses on the art of the Middle Ages, Byzantine art, the reception of the Middle Ages, the art and architecture of the Renaissance, nineteenth- and twentieth-century art in Europe and areas influenced by Europe, contemporary art, and art and image theory. The department is divided into the following fields, each represented by one professor:

• Medieval Art History (late antiquity, the early to late Middle Ages including Byzantine art until around 1500, reception of the Middle Ages)
• Early Modern Art History (Renaissance and baroque, fifteenth to nineteenth centuries)
• Modern Art History (modern and contemporary art, late eighteenth century to present day)
• Theory of Art (Schaulager Professor)
• Contemporary Art (Laurenz Assistant Professor)

Program Structure

The master's program is organized into three modules:

1. Art Theory and Methodology: devoted to art theory and the history of the discipline
2. Work and Context: focuses on the work itself, both visually and analytically
3. Practice and Research: combines textual and practical approaches with the art history knowledge students have acquired

Short Profile

• Degree: MA in Art History
• Type: Degree subject
• Start date: February, September
• Credit points: 120
• Study structure: The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree and comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). In addition to Art History, students choose a second, independent subject, whereby both subjects are studied for 35 CP each. The subject in which the master's thesis (30 CP) is written becomes a major, the other a minor. In addition, there are free electives (20 CP).
• Subject combination: Students may choose a subject from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or an extra-faculty subject as their second Master's degree subject.
• Language of instruction: German
• Subject area: Art History

Master's Admission Requirements

Admission to master's programs is regulated by the university student regulations and the stipulations of the individual degree program descriptions. For students to be admitted with no additional requirements, they must hold a bachelor's degree worth 180 CP from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel.

Career Opportunities

The day-to-day work of an art historian involves investigating, preserving, cataloguing, securing, documenting, analyzing, and interpreting works and objects from all genres of art history. Art history graduates are traditionally employed by museums and galleries, pursue academic careers, and work in the fields of historic preservation, art education, publishing, journalism, cultural management, and the art market.

Master's Thesis and Examinations

The master's program includes the submission of a master's thesis and participation in master's examinations. The specific dates for thesis submission and examination sessions are provided by the university and are subject to change.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of the master's program, students are awarded a Master's degree in Art History. Graduation ceremonies are held at specified times during the year, and students must apply for their degree within a given timeframe.