MA in Art History
Online, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 7,440 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost
Key Summary
About: MA in Art History at The Open University draws on the department's research and teaching. You'll deepen understanding of art, architecture and visual culture, build analytical skills, and learn research methods. You explore core concepts from Renaissance Italy to the contemporary Caribbean, study architecture, art and design, and complete a dissertation. Distance-learning programme with tutor support; completes in two years.
Career Outcomes: MA develops visual analysis, critical thinking, research and writing skills transferable to heritage, museums, curating, galleries, education and cultural management. Roles include curator, art critic, museum educator, archives and gallery professional, and preparation for an academic career/PhD.
The MA in Art History draws upon the exciting research and outstanding teaching expertise of the department. Studying art history at the postgraduate level will deepen your understanding of art, architecture and visual culture, build your analytical and critical skills, and develop the skills needed for independent study and research.
You will start by exploring the core concepts and recent developments that have shaped art history from Renaissance Italy to the contemporary Caribbean, before building on these foundations to expand your understanding of visual and material objects, incorporating architecture, art and design. You will complete this degree by researching and writing a dissertation on an agreed topic of your own devising.
Key features
- Engages critically with key theories and approaches developed to interpret and explain works of art and architecture
- Examines critical debates in the academic discipline of art history and the 'real world' contexts of heritage, curating and museums
- Prepares and inspires you to confidently develop and articulate your own standpoint within the discipline
- Concludes with a substantial piece of independent research and a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
How long it takes
You will be able to complete this master's qualification within two years by studying one module each year.
To gain the 180 credits you require for this qualification, you must study the modules in the order shown below and pass part 1 before progressing to part 2:
- MA Art History part 1 (A843)
- MA Art History part 2 (A844)
Or 180 credits from the discontinued modules A840, A841 and A847 if you started before 2014.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Knowledge and understanding are gained and developed through the study of online materials in both Part I (A843) and Part II (A844) of the MA. Teaching materials supporting the modules include online study guides, set online readings, and access to a large number of online resources through the Art History MA website. There are also guest seminars and online forums that allow you to discuss the module materials with fellow students and faculty members.
The programme provides you with opportunities to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas.
Knowledge and understanding
When you have completed this degree, you will have a sound knowledge and understanding of:
- Art history as a critical discipline producing knowledge through scholarly debate.
- Core concepts and current issues in the discipline of art history, concerning a range of historical periods and geographical areas.
- The intellectual, institutional and other contexts that have contributed to the formation of art history and dissemination of art-historical knowledge.
- A range of methods and approaches for investigating, interpreting and explaining works of art.
Cognitive skills
When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:
- Analyse and compare works of art and architecture
- Analyse and evaluate different types of written source material.
- Analyse and evaluate approaches and debates in art history and associated fields of enquiry.
- Use sources, ideas and approaches to analyse, interpret and explain works of art and architecture.
- Frame appropriate research questions for art-historical investigation.
Practical and/or professional skills
When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:
- Use research libraries, archives, and art collections effectively to locate visual and textual sources.
- Use specialist online databases and other online resources
- Apply visual distinction to the analysis and interpretation of images.
- Demonstrate an awareness of art history’s professional contexts, including the wider arts and heritage sector.
Key skills
When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:
- Develop structured arguments based on independent research and critical thinking in extended pieces of prose
- Use online and other resources to find visual and textual sources to support these arguments.
- Use scholarly conventions for presenting and referencing written work correctly
- Develop independent study skills, including planning and organising of own learning
- Communicate and interact with fellow students and tutors in an online environment
An MA in Art History will provide you with a wide range of skills, including visual and textual analysis and critical thinking and writing, which can be successfully transferred to a variety of careers in the professional and educational sectors. The MA in Art History will teach you to think critically about historical and contemporary cultural debates around works of art and will provide you with an awareness of art history’s professional contexts.
The MA is an excellent starting point for a career in the heritage and cultural sectors, from educator to curator to art critic. If you’re interested in an academic career, the MA is an essential step towards embarking on a PhD.