USI Università della Svizzera italiana
Master of Arts in History and Theory of Arts and Architecture
Lugano, Switzerland
MSc
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English, Italian
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
CHF 4,000 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 30/04/26 for non-EU/EFTA; 30/06/26 for EU/EFTA
** applicants whose official residence was in Switzerland or Liechtenstein at the time of the final high school exam - Maturità - pay a reduced semester fee of CHF 2,000 per semester
Key Summary
About: The Master of Arts in History and Theory of Arts and Architecture (MSTAA) studies art and architectural history across medieval, modern, and contemporary periods. It blends theory, criticism, restoration practice, museology and digital humanities, linking to photography, cinema, theater and literature. Practical workshops and internships with affiliated institutions complement research and fieldwork in conservation, curation and heritage.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue doctoral studies or work in heritage administration, museums, curation, conservation, art and architecture criticism, art market, secondary or university teaching and tourism. Key career paths include doctoral researcher, museum curator, heritage officer, art critic, and conservation specialist.
The Master 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.
Awarded Degree
Master of Science in History and Theory of Arts and Architecture
Please check out the university website and find out more about our scholarships.
Career Prospects
By obtaining a Master of Arts 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)