MA History of Art admission stats

Download the prospectus:

UK qualifications: Students will normally have achieved a good 2. 1 in their Bachelor%E2%80%99s degree (typically in the Humanities or Social Sciences), considered to be an overall average 65% or above

Overseas qualification: Equivalent to a good 2. 1 in a UK first degree (e. g. US applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3. 5 or above).

Please be aware that invitations to interview are only extended in specific circumstances.

English language requirements: If English is not your first language, you must provide documentation of your English language proficiency.

Teaching and programme structure

A variety of instructional strategies and subject areas are combined in the Courtauld MA in History of Art. There are a total of eight tutorials and thirty classes for each Special Option, which typically take the form of small group seminars but may also include site or exhibition visits, as well as seminars and lectures focused on common interests that unite groups around historical or theoretical issues. In the first semester, weekly faculty-led methodology discussions are added to Special Options classes to allow all MA students to participate in a wide range of critical discussions about Art History as a field of study.

Students are assisted in their research and writing of the first Assessed Essay by tutorials with their Special Option tutor and feedback from a variety of writing and presentation tasks in the first semester. Additional tutorials in the second semester assist students in preparing a second Assessed Essay and a Virtual Exhibition, an activity that encourages them to conceptualize an (imaginary) exhibition, carefully choose the exhibits, and write, for instance, sample wall labels and catalogue entries. Students start researching and writing their 10,000 word dissertation in the second semester; it is submitted in the summer.

Customized individual support is provided to students in the form of one-on-one tutorials and feedback on dissertation drafts. The outcomes frequently represent highly original contributions to scholarship in a variety of fields, and external examiners frequently commend them for being of publishable quality. Past MA History of Art Dissertations are archived in our online library catalog and are available for consultation.

The following four criteria form the basis of the formal evaluation of MA Art History:

• A 4,000 word essay relating to the special option, valued at 15% of the overall degree classification (Semester 1)
• A second 4,000 word essay relating to the special option, valued at 20% of the overall degree classification (Semester 2)
• A virtual exhibition assignment, involving the selection and presentation of works of art to be included in an exhibition addressing a particular theme, valued at 15% of the overall degree classification (Semester 2)
• A 10,000 word dissertation that was completed in about three months with assistance from the special option leader in The dissertation is valued at 50% of the overall degree classification (Summer)

Fees are subject to change each academic year. You can find information about fees, including what counts as domestic, EU, and international fees, here.

Financial support for your studies:

Postgraduate Master’s Loan Please visit the Student Finance England website for further information and to apply online.

Scholarships at the Courtauld Institute of Art are given out based on academic ability and financial need. The average postgraduate scholarship is £6,000. Applications from domestic, EU, and international applicants as well as students are welcome. Find out more about our scholarships.

Any Courtauld Institute of Art alumnus accepted into a taught postgraduate program of study is eligible to participate in the alumni loyalty program. Recipients will receive a 10% loyalty discount off their tuition fee for the duration of the course

The MA program is created to create graduates with highly transferable skills, preparing you for a variety of employment opportunities or further academic study. Not only do our graduates possess in-depth knowledge and comprehension of the history of art, but they also learn how to:

• Create complex arguments in formal writing and oral presentations by analyzing imagery.
• Read critically and economically.
• Assimilate complex material.
• Formulate and express a broad range of different ideas.
• Present research to a varied audience.
• Develop independent research skills.
• Experience collaborative work in groups.

These abilities enable Courtauld graduates to pursue further education and find employment in a variety of fields, including:

Curators, conservators, art dealers, auction house specialists, attorneys, business owners, publishers, media experts, educators, banking and finance, journalists, and business/marketing professionals

You can access bespoke, one-to-one careers guidance throughout their studies. The Courtauld Careers Service provides guidance and assistance with exploring career and post-graduate study options, locating internships, improving employability, comprehending and navigating the labor market, and crafting effective applications. For a maximum of two years following graduation, this service is accessible to all graduates.

To support you through the degree, we offer:

Health: Our team is committed to your wellbeing and includes counselors and advisors.

Academic Skills: The academic skills tutor provides both group and individualized assistance to help you acquire the knowledge and self-assurance you need to be successful in your degree program. Additionally, two Royal Literary Fund fellows will assist you with your writing, focusing on how to organize and enhance your writing.

The Research Forum offers a robust schedule of talks, conferences, workshops, and seminars to support cutting-edge research in the history of art, conservation, and curating. Each year, we host about 150 events, ranging from lecture series to research group seminars for a wider audience. Our diverse calendar of events explores various eras and topics in visual culture and its history. Explore upcoming events, and watching recordings of previous events, here.

One of the largest art collections in the UK is found at The Courtauld Gallery. The gallery exhibits significant paintings, drawings, and decorative arts from the Renaissance through the 20th century but is best known for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergere. Student admission to The Courtauld Gallery’s primary exhibit is free. You can book your ticket here. You can also explore the Gallery virtually here.

Meet our students and alumni

Yu: Studying at The Courtauld is demanding but also productive. During my undergraduate studies, I focused on and saw the world from very different perspectives. I’ve started learning Latin and Dutch at the Courtauld, and I’ve learned entirely new ways to explore art, history, and culture. I now understand that the interpretation of artworks should be based on the reconstruction of each piece’s unique social, political, and historical context because art is a very complex concept that is intertwined with many others. Unexpectedly, learning about Dutch art has provided me with fresh perspectives on my own culture. The Courtauld has made exciting discoveries out of things that were previously invisible to me; I’d say this has changed my life.

Nina: Although you specialize in your period, one of my favorite aspects of the course is that there are evening talks that cover a variety of topics. I found the careers programme particularly useful. We had the chance to speak with accomplished Courtauld graduates at the alumni networking event and discuss the next phase of our careers. The study trip to Rome in January was a personal highlight as I look back on the year. Everyone could go on the trip thanks to a university travel fund.

Naomi Beckwith (MA 1999) – Public Museums

The Guggenheim Museum in New York’s Deputy Director and Chief Curator is Naomi Beckwith. She previously served as Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA), and in 2020, Chicago Magazine named her one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Chicago.” Additionally, Naomi has worked at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. Her curatorial work focuses on cultural diversity in the age of globalization, multi-disciplinary art practices, and the lack of women and people of color in the canon of Western art history.

Ashitha Nagesh (MA 2013) – Journalism

Ashitha Nagesh is an award-winning journalist at BBC News. She has also created content for BBC World Service Radio and BBC Radio 4, and she has spoken about her work on various radio programs, including BBC Outside Source on World Service Radio, the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2, BBC Scotland’s Podlitical, and BBC Asian Network. For several years, she was a freelance art journalist who wrote articles for Apollo, Artforum, Art Press, and numerous other arts publications. She was formerly a Senior News Reporter for Metro.

MA History of Art Virtual Open Day event

Please be aware that Special Options change every year and are dependent on demand. If changes are necessary, The Courtauld reserves the right to amend or withdraw the options and will always directly notify applicants.

Dr Charlotte de Mille

Professor Alixe Bovey and Dr Lydia Hansell

Dr Scott Nethersole and Dr Guido Rebecchini

Professor David Peters Corbett

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FAQ

Is Courtauld hard to get into?

At the undergraduate level, The Courtauld receives over 300 applications; typically, 100 of these are accepted.

Is The Courtauld a good school?

In London, United Kingdom, one of the top universities is the Courtauld Institute of Art. It is ranked #151-200 in QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2022.

How do you get into Courtauld?

Applications are submitted directly to The Courtauld, and one other academic staff member and the head of conservation and technology will review them. No offers of a position will be made without an interview with the shortlisted candidates, who will be invited to an on-site interview.