MA Art History and Conservation of Buddhist Heritage

Affiliated with the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation at The Courtauld, the MA is focused on the study and preservation of cultural heritage created and connected to the beliefs, practices, and diverse traditions of Buddhism. Unique in its concept and content, this interdisciplinary programme—which harnesses the combined perspective of both art history and conservation—aims to expand the ways in which Buddhist material culture is researched, engaged with, and preserved, in order to build knowledge and critical thinking abilities in the next generation of heritage and museum professionals.

In this programme, you will gain an understanding of Buddhist heritage through the study of diverse objects and sites from the Buddhist world, in collections and in situ, spanning wide geographies, cultures, and temporal landscapes. Students will learn about current topics in the research, preservation, and protection of Buddhist heritage and the economic, socio-political, and environmental contexts in which they exist. You will also be introduced to the ethical and sustainable challenges of these pursuits from both a theoretical and practical vantage point.

The degree is taught by leading specialists in Conservation and Buddhist Art. Teaching in the first semester begins with foundational courses in Buddhist art history and conservation; in the second term, a jointly taught class integrates these disciplines through case studies and key themes; and finally, an independent research project is undertaken with the writing of a dissertation. Experiential learning is an important component of this program that exposes students to a rich body of Buddhist material culture through site visits to UK-based collections as well as a study trip abroad to develop appreciation for and to provide first-hand experience of conservation and management challenges.

Learning outcomes include providing students with a specialized knowledge of diverse Buddhist art worlds along with analytical and writing skills; approaches to conservation and an understanding of the ethical, technical, and administrative contexts, philosophical underpinnings, and decision-making processes in the preservation of Buddhist material culture. The broader learning outcomes for this course will provide transferable skills that have wider applicability beyond just the Buddhist context to other religious and spiritual cultures and traditions. The course also serves to prepare students for further specialist education in art history or conservation and for roles in museums or within the cultural heritage sector.

The Courtauld MA provides you with outstanding tailored support and supervision to help you to realise your full academic potential and to go on to flourish in your career. A graduate of The Courtauld recognizes art history, and conservation as inclusive, interdisciplinary, trans-historical, and global practices. Upon completion of the programme you will have obtained broad knowledge of the relationships between Buddhist art history and conservation enabling the pursuit of PhD education in art history, conservation, curating, or heritage studies. The programme prepares you for careers in arts, culture, and heritage roles, including in galleries, museums, archives, and sites.