History of Art

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The MSc by Research programme is for students with a good general knowledge of the subject area, who wish to focus their interests and deepen their knowledge of a specific topic.

To complete the programme you would normally submit two, 5,000-word, independent research essays, on topics chosen in consultation with your supervisor. You are also required to complete the History of Art core course, Research Theories and Methods (which is assessed via a 3,000-word essay) plus one further course (which may be chosen from a broad range of taught postgraduate option courses, assessed by a 4,000-word essay, or a credit-bearing language course or other suitable option), over semesters 1 and 2. At the end of the summer, you are required to submit a 15,000-word dissertation.

The MPhil and PhD degrees are both major pieces of independent research, preparing you for a future in academic scholarship. These degrees are obtained by research and presentation of a thesis of up to 60,000 words (MPhil) or 80,000–100,000 words (PhD). The first year of a PhD is probationary, meaning that you must pass a first year review before you are permitted to continue to the second year of the PhD. At your review, you will be required to discuss with a review board a presentation comprising an overview of your thesis and proposed chapter plan, with a bibliography, and a draft chapter of at least 10,000 words.