University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law

MA in Art History and Curating

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 under tight deadlines, and strong verbal and written communication skills.

Our Art History, Curating and Visual Studies postgraduate students have gone on to work in careers such as 'Curator', 'Gallery Assistant' and 'Collections Manager' in organisations such as Ikon Gallery, National Trust and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in the History of Art.

Discover the research expertise that informs our teaching: from the ways art and architecture are received by the public, to critically examining the legacy of empire in art, to visual and material cultures of gender and sexuality.

• 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.

Autumn term

September - December (11 weeks)

Full-time students take four modules in the autumn term.

You will have two 2-hour seminars or workshops and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week. You will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.

You are also expected to attend additional meetings related to your curatorial project.

One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.

First Year Part-time students take three modules in the autumn term.

You will have one 2-hour seminar/workshop and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week; you will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.

Second Year Part-time students take one optional module in the autumn term (2 hours seminars per week).

Spring term

January - April (12 weeks)

Full-time students take four modules in the spring term. You will have two 2-hour seminars or workshops and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week; you will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.

You are assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic.

First Year Part-time students take three modules in the spring term.

You will have one 2-hour seminar/workshop and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week. You will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.

Second Year Part-time students take one optional module in the spring term (2 hours seminars per week).

Summer term

May – August

There are no taught modules during term three. If you're studying full-time, you'll continue your research and writing, ready to submit your dissertation at the end of August.

The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Each module involves a one- or two-hour weekly seminar, which you’ll need to attend.

• Top 2 We’re consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report)
• 8th Art History department in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021, based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education)
• Top 100 for Arts and Humanities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026).

Join a global community and discover a course that matches your interests and aspirations with our huge range of postgraduate programmes in the College of Arts and Law.

Study options

We offer full-time or part-time study for many of our courses. We're proud to offer many courses by distance learning so you can access our exceptional teaching and resources from anywhere in the world.

Looking to study for a shorter period? Some of our courses offer PGCert and PGDip qualifications.

Innovative postgraduate degrees

Benefit from our interdisciplinary approach with opportunities to develop your skills. Whichever programme you pick, you’ll expand your knowledge and be ready for your next career step.

2nd in the UK: The University of Birmingham is consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2026, High Fliers report.

Ways you can enhance your career prospects include:

• Placement opportunities on the MA Film and Television: Research and Production
• Optional public history placement module on our MA History courses
• Practice-based dissertation options on MA International Law, Ethics and Politics

First-class facilities

Take your learning to the next level at Birmingham. Benefit from our incredible facilities available to College of Arts and Law students, including:

• The Film Editing Suite: Access content creation and podcasting studios, professional cameras, and filming equipment with beginner-friendly training by media technicians.
• The Barber Institute of Fine Arts: Our on-campus art gallery with paintings spanning seven centuries, from Botticelli to Monet and Van Gogh. The History of Art and Art History and Curating programmes are taught in the Barber for direct access to artwork. [The galleries of the Barber Institute are currently closed due to essential building works. Teaching will recommence in the galleries from autumn 2027.]
• Bramall Music Building and our Music Hub offering state-of-the-art performance, concert and rehearsal spaces.
• Shakespeare Institute: Our Shakespeare Studies students access a wealth of resources and a dedicated library at our Shakespeare Institute, based in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology Museum including over 2,000 archaeological objects and an environmental archaeology collection.

Experts in distance learning

You don’t need to be in Birmingham to make the most of our outstanding teaching and research. Study from anywhere in the world through our range of distance learning options.

With over 25 years’ experience delivering distance learning courses, we’ll make sure you’re supported from day one.

You won’t be alone in your studies – on our taught programmes you’ll connect with your peers through our Virtual Learning Environment. If you choose a postgraduate research degree by distance learning, you’ll access remote research supervision meetings.

“I studied International Heritage Management as a distance learning student. My time at the University of Birmingham had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional.” – Josh, MA International Heritage Management by Distance Learning alumnus and Senior Operations and Events Executive at Historic Royal Palaces.

Birmingham Law School

For almost a century Birmingham Law School has led the way in legal education and research. Today, we continue to provide our students with innovative, challenging, and research-driven education.

We are a truly global, civic and diverse community reflected through our staff and students who have important impacts around the world through research, teaching and enterprise.

The Shakespeare Institute

An internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of Shakespeare's beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. Established in 1951 to push the boundaries of knowledge about Shakespeare studies and Renaissance drama. Study in Stratford-upon-Avon or online.