University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
MA In Art History and CuratingBirmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
29 Aug 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,900 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 4 July 2025 for international students
** £10,900: full time | £5,450: part time | international: £26,180 full-time
Key Summary
Visit our Postgraduate Open Day - Saturday 28 June 2025
Discover why we are the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers ('Graduate Market in 2024' High Fliers report) at our on-campus Postgraduate Open Day.
Introduction
Do you want to pursue your love of art history, ready for a career in the arts and curating sectors? Conduct original research into art objects and discover how to curate historical and contemporary art.
You’ll also establish important professional networks and gain vital practical skills, invaluable to museum and commercial sectors.
We also offer a distance learning programme over 18 months. Find out more about the PGCert Art History and Curating by distance learning.
You’ll study in our internationally renowned on-campus art gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Classes are also taught at other galleries in Birmingham.
(Please note due to essential building works the Barber Institute of Fine Arts will be closed Spring 2025-Spring 2026).
You’ll complete a curatorial project working with our academic staff and museum professionals from our partner organisations. Recent partners include The Barber Institute of Fine Arts in a unique partnership with the V&A, and Grand Union, an Arts Council England portfolio organisation.
- Expand your understanding of different areas of museum and art gallery practice, such as art interpretation; modes of display; marketing; access and learning; and administration and finance.
- Contribute to the department’s official blog, ‘The Golovine’, and attend our regular research seminars.
- Prepare for your future by gaining practical skills by working on a curatorial project and pitching your own business ideas in our Enterprising Culture module.
- Our Barber Institute of Fine Arts boasts a specialist research library, containing books and catalogues about art history, visual culture, curating and collecting.
Career Opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Art History, Curating and Visual Studies at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to research and analyse information, write to tight deadlines, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
Our Art History, Curating and Visual Studies graduates enter many roles, including:
- Gallery managers and curators
- Exhibition curator
- Secondary School Teacher
Employers our Art History, Curating and Visual Studies graduates have worked for include:
- Imperial War Museums
- Saatchi Gallery
- Secondary schools
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Gallery
Curriculum
Please visit the course webpage below for up-to-date information on modules.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £5,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student, you can take advantage of our wide range of University-run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
Facilities
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History of Art.
- Taught modules - each 20-credit module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 15,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.