USI Università della Svizzera italiana
Master of Arts in History and Theory of Art and Architecture
- Lugano, Switzerland
- Mendrisio, Switzerland
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
Italian
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 30/04/26 for non-EU/EFTA; 30/06/26 for EU/EFTA
Key Summary
About: The Master of Arts in History and Theory of Art and Architecture (MSTAA) studies art and architectural history across medieval, modern and contemporary eras. It addresses architecture's marginalization in art history and integrates theory, criticism, artistic literature, restoration with field practice, museology and digital humanities. Workshops and internships complement training. Courses are in Italian and English; bilingual proficiency is required. USI's small, cosmopolitan campus and international faculty support interdisciplinary, interactive learning.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue doctoral studies; museum curatorship and education; heritage management and superintendence; art and architecture criticism; the art market; secondary and university teaching; journalism; tourism.
Master of Arts in History and Theory of Art and Architecture
The MA in History and Theory of Art and Architecture (MSTAA) includes the study of the history of both architecture and art. It is a complete Master which aims at counteracting the growing marginalisation of architecture in art history studies. At the same time, the study of the history of art and architecture in different eras (medieval, modern and contemporary) is complemented by in-depth studies on the theory and criticism of architecture, artistic literature, the history and practice of restoration (with moments of practice in the field), museology and digital humanities with an eye towards other artistic and cultural expressions like photography, cinema, theatre, and literature. Practical workshops and internships in affiliated institutions complete the Master's training offer.
The Master includes courses in Italian and English; a good understanding of both languages is assumed.
The Master aims to bring architecture at the heart of the critical debate in universities and society as a whole. The context offered by the Faculty of Architecture is congenial for the study of art history and especially for the history of architecture.
Students of the MA in History and Theory of Art and Architecture will study together with future architects, attend projects critiques and most of all, they can take advantage of a direct exchange with world-renowned architects during dedicated conferences. Last but not least, it is important to know that the USI Academy of Architecture has a strong vocation and an important tradition in the field of humanities. The study plan of the Master also contemplates practical work such as internships or workshops in archives or other institutions, as well as study trips during individual courses to observe buildings and gain experience on the field.
For the MA in History and Theory of Art and Architecture, students can choose between a course entirely focused on historical-artistic subjects (MSTAA 120 ECTS) and a course divided into subjects dealing with historical-artistic subjects and subjects related to the history of literature and related subjects (Maior MSTAA 90 ECTS, Minor MLLCI 30 ECTS).
Master of Arts in History and Theory of Art and Architecture
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By obtaining a MA in History and Theory of Art and Architecture, you will have access, after passing the relevant calls for applications (if any), to the following academic and/or work areas:
- Doctoral studies
- Superintendence, cultural heritage offices or equivalent institutions
- Museums
- Art and architecture criticism
- Art market
- Secondary and university education
- Information industry (journalist)
- Tourism sector (tourist guide)