Program Overview

Master of Arts (Visual Arts)

The Master of Arts (Visual Arts) program focuses on the study of visual arts and culture, encompassing art history, heritage and cultural studies, as well as practice research. This interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers in education, museums, curatorial practices, public engaged scholarship, publishing, heritage practice, artistic research, and arts administration, as well as for further study at the PhD level.

Program Description

The program helps students develop visual and aesthetic literacy, as well as evidence-based critical thinking and interpretive skills. Whether students are thinking of a career in the growing heritage, museum, gallery, and culture industry, or improving their writing skills when engaging with visual forms/images, or simply pursuing a life-long dream of independent research and learning, the MA program provides a foundation for academic research and deepens understanding of a chosen topic by completing a research thesis.

Career Opportunities

• Art writer/Critic/Journalist
• Art Teacher
• Cultural Programmer
• Marketing Executive
• Art Manager
• Independent Researcher
• Art Historian
• Curator
• Copywriter
• Lecturer
• Conservator
• Gallerist
• Public Relations Executive
• Education Officer
• Consultant
• Policy Adviser

Course Structure

Component | Type | Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Total

• Coursework (Part I)
  • Core Courses
    • ROD7001 | Research Methodology in Visual Arts | 3 | 6
    • ROD7002 | Visual Arts Theory | 3
  • Elective Courses (Choose 2)
    • ROD7003 | Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia | 3 | 6
    • ROD7004 | Malaysian Art | 3
    • ROD7005 | Southeast Asian Modern Art | 3
    • ROD7010 | Malaysian Screen Studies | 3
    • ROD7011 | Museum Studies, Critical Heritage and Curatorial Practices | 3
    • ROD7012 | Art Education | 3
• Research (Part II)
  • Dissertation
    • ROD7009 | Dissertation | 30 | 30

Total Credits: 42

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

• Possessed a Bachelor's Degree (Honours) in Arts, Fine Arts, Applied Arts, Painting and Design, Art History, Visual Culture, Museum Studies, or Liberal Arts with a minimum CGPA of 3.00.
• OR
• Possessed a Bachelor's Degree with CGPA of 2.50 - 2.99 and meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • UM graduate
  • At least one year working experience in a related field
  • Publication in a related field
  • A scholarship holder
  • A Government servant
  • Pass an interview by PTj
  • Pass a Special Assessment by PTj

Related Area

• Fine Arts
• Applied Arts
• Art and Design
• Art History
• Visual Culture Studies
• Museum Studies
• Liberal Arts

Language Requirement

• MUET: B4.0
• IELTS: 6.0
• TOEFL iBT (Centre-based): 60
• TOEFL Essentials (Online): 8.5
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 59
• B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: 169

Intake Schedule

• Semester I of the academic year commences in September.
• Semester II commences in February.
• Application Deadline: May for Semester I intake and October for Semester II intake.

Notes

• The list of courses offered each semester is subject to the availability of staff.
• Candidates are required to pass at least 'B' for each Core Course.
• Candidates are required to complete the coursework component (Part I) with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 prior to registering for the research component (Part II).
• Candidates are required to determine their research area and select a supervisor prior to embarking on the dissertation. The nomination of supervisor(s) shall be done by filling in the appropriate form at the Postgraduate Office.