Course Overview
Status
Applications for September 2027 entry are now open - apply by 11 January
Location
Vernon Square Kings Cross, London WC1X 9EP
Duration
Nine-months, full-time
Awarding body
University of London
Intake
240 students per year. Special Option group size: 10 - 12 students
Join our Virtual Open Day on Thursday 3 December.
Are you interested in joining one of the world’s most ambitious and extensive graduate art history programmes? Are you eager to break new ground in the understanding and appreciation of art through time?
The Courtauld Institute’s MA History of Art is one of the largest graduate art history programmes in the world. Providing the best research-led teaching in a single-subject setting, the Courtauld Institute is ranked as the world’s top institution for the study of History of Art according to QS World University Rankings 2026.
The programme is unique in its breadth and depth. Special Option modules allow students to focus on a specific period, region, theme, or methodology, working closely with a member of faculty and drawing on their research to offer new perspectives on visual and material cultures. Two group modules address key art historical and curatorial concerns through a combination of lectures and discussion classes. The final module is the Dissertation, which allows you to develop an independent research project, supported by a series of workshops and seminars to build a range of research skills that are relevant beyond academic study. Lecturers take full advantage of the Courtauld Institute’s location in the heart of London with regular exhibition and site visits. Trips may also take students throughout the UK and beyond, with costs covered by travel grants, to expand their professional network and horizons.
Students are invited to expand their engagement with new art historical research by attending the almost daily series of seminars and conferences organised by the Courtauld’s Research Forum, as well as those hosted by other institutions across London.
MA History of Art offers a context and foundation of highly transferable skills. Our alumni community spans more than 80 countries, shaping the arts and cultural sectors worldwide. Many leading museums and galleries are led by Courtauld Institute alumni. MA History of Art graduates also go on to become leaders in tech, law, journalism, marketing, politics and finance. Wherever their career paths lead, Courtauld Institute graduates apply the core skills they learnt here – to think critically, challenge conventional thinking, and make a difference to the world around them.
Teaching and Programme Structure
The Courtauld Institute’s MA History of Art is a nine-month programme taught across two semesters, Autumn and Spring. With a teaching staff of more than 40 world-class scholars, the programme combines a range of modules and teaching methods underpinned by internationally renowned teaching and research.
Special Options
Special Options are advanced, research-led modules within the MA History of Art. They focus on specific periods, regions, themes, or methodologies, drawing on our faculty’s individual research expertise, and often extend into adjacent studies such as history, anthropology, politics, philosophy, literature and religion.
Special Options are taught across both semesters. Teaching typically takes place in small group discussion seminars, with exhibition and site visits, and often includes trips in or beyond London or the UK.
In some cases, Special Option groups cluster together in the Autumn semester for joint sessions on issues of common concern, before dividing into more specialised groups in the Spring semester. One-to-one tutorials with course leads ensure that students get tailored feedback on their ideas for assessments.
Explore faculty pages to discover more about a course leader’s research interests and approaches to art history. Please note Special Options vary from year to year as we seek to refresh and expand our offer.
Critical Debates
In the Autumn semester, students from different Special Option groups come together for ‘Critical Debates’. These interrogate themes or problems of relevance to their Special Options – the idea of ‘The Middle Ages’, for example, or examining the migration of people, objects and ideas since the 19th century.
Taught through a combination of lectures and discussion seminars, Critical Debates provides opportunities for students to engage with issues of broad concern in their chosen art-historical subfield. MA History of Art students will be taught alongside those from the MA Curating and MA Contemporary Art and the Moving Image, expanding their peer network.
Virtual Exhibition
The Spring semester group module focuses more heavily on questions of display, curation and exhibition. It takes advantage of London’s museums and galleries including the Courtauld Gallery. Taught through lectures and discussion groups, it culminates in a ‘Virtual Exhibition’, an exercise that encourages students to conceive an (imaginary) exhibition or display, judiciously selecting exhibits and writing, for example, a sample label and catalogue entry. The Virtual Exhibition complements assessed essays, as a visually-led exercise that allows students to develop arguments through the selection and juxtaposition of artworks. The Virtual Exhibition often produces some of our students’ most original and inventive work, and has served for many as a stepping stone into issues of museology and curating.
Dissertation
The final component of the MA is the 10,000-word dissertation submitted in May. A series of classes and workshops help you to prepare for this independently researched assessment, complemented by one-to-one tutorials with a lecturer who specialises in your chosen field (typically your Special Option tutor). Courtauld MA dissertations are often highly original contributions to scholarship across a wide field, regularly commended by external examiners for being of publishable quality.
Assessment
The formal assessment of the MA History of Art is based on the following components:
- 2 x 4,000-word Special Option essays submitted in the Autumn and Spring
- A ‘Critical Debates’ portfolio of short written exercises submitted in the Autumn
- A Virtual Exhibition assignment submitted in the Spring
- A 10,000-word dissertation submitted in May
Support
We have a dedicated Wellbeing team of counsellors and advisors. Our academic skills tutor offers group and one-to-one classes to help you to develop your skills and confidence. Two Royal Literary Fund fellows are on hand to help you structure and improve your writing. You can also access bespoke, one-to-one career guidance throughout your studies with our Careers Service.
Entry Requirements
Students will normally have achieved a good 2.1 in their Bachelor’s degree (typically in the Humanities or Social Sciences). Overseas qualifications should be equivalent, for example US applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above. Explore country-specific qualifications here. Applicants are occasionally invited to interview on a case-by-case basis.
English Language Requirements
If your first language is not English, we require proof of English language proficiency. See our English Language Requirements page.
Applications
See How to Apply for information on entry requirements and a link to the application portal and Application Guidance for information on required supporting documents and FAQs.
Careers and Employability
The programme addresses a wide range of interests and equips students with the expertise, research, and professional skills for an equally wide range of career paths. This course will ideally suit students interested in pursuing a career in art museums, galleries, the commercial art sector, heritage, publishing, marketing and communications, production, educational organisations, and other cultural institutions, and more.
You can access bespoke, one-to-one career guidance throughout your studies. The Courtauld Careers Service offers advice and support on exploring career and further study options, finding internships, enhancing employability, understanding and navigating the jobs and self-employment market, and making successful applications. This service is available to all graduates for up to two years after graduation.
Programme outcomes
- A sophisticated and in-depth grasp of a specific period or field of art history and the intellectual issues raised by its study
- A sophisticated set of skills learnt from a wide range of leading art history professionals
- An invaluable expertise in art history, visual culture and literary skills required for success in the art world
- Competency in the methodological skills, research techniques and sophisticated understanding necessary for participation in a range of employment opportunities and preparation for further academic study
- A broad-ranging view and understanding of the careers available in the cultural and heritage sector
- An extensive professional network
Students will join an international network of Courtauld alumni who work across the cultural sector and benefit from the friendships, support, and mentorship available within that community.
Fees and Funding
Fees are subject to change each academic year. See tuition fees for 2026/27 here. For information on Postgraduate Master’s Loans and to apply online, visit Student Finance England.
Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of an international group of committed donors, the Courtauld Institute is pleased to offer a number of scholarships for postgraduate students. Please read the criteria and application instructions for each scholarship as they may vary. You may be eligible to hold more than one scholarship simultaneously, and you are encouraged to apply to all scholarships for which you are eligible.
Alumni Loyalty Scheme
This scheme is open to any graduate of the Courtauld Institute admitted to any postgraduate programme of study. Recipients will receive a 10% loyalty discount off their tuition fee for the duration of the course.
Associated Programme Costs
Special Options may offer local, UK or international study trips. Costs will be covered by a travel grant and students will be informed of international travel as soon as practical.
