Master's Degree in Advanced Studies in Art History
Barcelona, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
Spanish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 19 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026
Key Summary
About: This Masters degree targets holders of pre-EHEA undergraduate degrees in art history or related fields who want deeper research skills for a doctoral thesis or to work in art distribution and the art market. It has two specializations: historiography and research methodology; and art collecting, museums, foundations, galleries, trade fairs, auctions, publishing and media. Students take core compulsory and optional specialist courses and complete a final project that supports progression to doctoral studies and advanced research.
Career Outcomes: Teaching and research, museum curation, collections management, gallery and auction work, art publishing, criticism, cultural mediation and cultural policy roles.
This degree is aimed at holders of pre-EHEA undergraduate degrees in Art History or related fields who want to gain a deeper understanding of the research mechanisms needed to prepare a doctoral thesis or to apply their knowledge to art distribution and the art market.
The master's degree in Advanced Studies in Art History is structured around two specializations:
- The first addresses specific knowledge of historiography and the methodology required for the rigorous preparation of studies in art history.
- The second focuses on the explanation and experience of activities involved in art collecting (museums, foundations, educational institutions and private patrons), the art market (trade fairs, galleries, antiquarian dealers and auctions) and in the distribution and dissemination of art (education, publishing, criticism and the media).
Each of the specializations requires students to complete a range of core, compulsory subjects as well as the optional subjects unique to the specialized pathway. In addition, all students prepare a final project that will give them the opportunity to seek admission to doctoral studies.
A variety of career opportunities are linked to this area of knowledge: teaching and research are particularly strong options, but there are also growing opportunities to apply the knowledge acquired during the degree program to the field of social development.
In this program, students will learn to:
- Critically identify the diachronic and synchronic processes in different fields of art history, and the methodological options available for the scientific appreciation of art in different historical contexts, for the purpose of designing appropriate cognitive models.
- Determine and explain the relationship between artistic thought (theoretical, critical and aesthetic) and the process of artistic production throughout history.
- Understand the evolution of issues related to artistic heritage in its various manifestations (monuments, collections, museums, the market, curating and tourism) in order to compare and distinguish between qualitative historical changes.
- Classify and evaluate techniques and strategies in publications or specialized art history sections or supplements, to provide an overview of the artistic process and its phases.
- Appreciate the complexity of today's globalized and multicultural art world.
- Identify new artistic genres and the symbiosis and overlaps between all the arts (fine arts, performing and visual arts, cinema and audiovisual) through critical analysis.
The University of Barcelona consistently ranks among the top institutions nationally, in Europe, and worldwide. Its performance in the most prestigious international rankings reflects excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global engagement.
- Ranked 1st nationally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- Ranked 1st nationally in the THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 68th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 27th in Europe in the Best Global Universities Rankings
Studying at the University of Barcelona means joining a world-class academic community recognized for its innovation and impact.