About this program
MA Art History
The one-year Master's track in Art History is one of the five tracks within the Master's degree program in Arts and Cultural Sciences.
In this program you study the history and social functioning of ancient, modern and contemporary art.You analyze and interpret works of art and you study them in their broader, often museum context.Furthermore, during the internship you will learn to apply your acquired knowledge in institutions other than museums.Think, for example, of the art trade and lending, art auctions and in the media.It is at least as important that you immerse yourself in the theory and historiography of the profession and learn to reflect on them critically.
The master's track in Groningen has two main focuses.On the one hand, the focus is on Italian and Dutch visual art from the period 1400-1700.On the other hand, you can specialize in the field of twentieth-century and contemporary art and art criticism.Materials and applied techniques are a recurring theme.During the program you can participate in an excursion abroad, to Rome or Berlin.
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Admission requirements
Dutch diploma
language test number - Additional English language requirement: a VWO diploma or a VWO certificate in English (grade 6 or higher), minimum TOEFL requirement iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 for all components), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 for all components). If you have a VWO diploma, you do not need to submit a language test.
preliminary education -
Bachelor's degree in History
Students with a WO or HBO bachelor's degree in a related field (eg BA Arts, Culture and Media or HBO art education or broad minor package Art History) can be admitted. To do so, they should contact the Art History Admissions Committee.
International diploma
language test number - Students with a WO or HBO bachelor's degree in a related field (eg BA Arts, Culture and Media or HBO art education or broad minor package Art History) can be admitted. To do so, they should contact the Art History Admissions Committee.
Does this course require proof of English proficiency?
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Learn moreProgram content
1st year
- Art History Now: Theory, Method, Historiography (10 EC)
- Collections & Artefacts (10 EC, optional)
- Media, Materials, Makers: Arts and/as Research (10 EC, facultatief)
- Museums: The Making-Of (10 EC, optional)
- Excursion (5 EC)
- Master Thesis: Curatorial & Museum studies (20 EC, facultatief)
- Master Thesis: Early Modern European Art / Modern & Contemporary Art (15 EC, facultatief)
- Research Internship (10 EC, optional)
- Tutorial: Research expertise (5 EC, optional)
- Museum Internship: Curatorial & Museum studies (30 EC, optional)
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Tuition
- Tuition fees for EU/EEA Students: € 2,209 per year
- Tuition fees for Non-EU/EEA Students: € 14,750 per year
Qualification
Credits: 60 ECTS
MA in Arts & Cultural Science
Career paths
Art is of great importance to society. There are many career opportunities, depending on your specialization, master degree and personal interests.
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About this institute

University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, founded in 1614 and it ranks amongst the top 100 universities in the world. We are a research-intensive institution offering a wide range of highly regarded bachelor, master...
Why study at University of Groningen
We're a Top 100 University
Study at one of the world’s leading universities. Learn from the best and take advantage of exciting research opportunities. Live in a vibrant city where over a quarter of the population are students. Whatever you’re seeking from your university experience, you’ll find it in Groningen. With over 45 world-class Bachelor’s programmes and 160 highly-ranked Master’s programmes, we have a field of study for you.
Our groundbreaking research
As a student, you will be actively involved in research at one of Europe’s top research institutions from the get-go. The University of Groningen carries out ground-breaking and socially-relevant research that builds bridges between disciplines and closes the gap between science and society.
400 years of reputation
The University of Groningen is the second oldest university in the Netherlands and has built a reputation for excellence. Many talented people have passed through the university during its rich 400-year history, including Nobel Prize winners like Ben Feringa (Chemistry, 2016) and Frits Zernike (Physics, 1953). Some have been pioneers in their respective fields, such as the first female University student and the first female lecturer in the Netherlands, the first Dutch astronaut and the first president of the European Bank.
Vibrant Student Life
While its history can be traced back to 300 BC, today Groningen is a vibrant student city with the youngest population in the Netherlands – one in four people here is a student! That means there’s always something to do, with various art and music festivals, theatres, cinemas and performance venues catering to all tastes, whether you prefer to watch or want to join in. In Groningen, you’ll see students everywhere: studying in the pretty Noorderplantsoen park, working various part-time jobs and partying the night away.
Global Community
The University of Groningen attracts a large international community! Our Erasmus Student Network (ESN) conveniently facilitates all international students in Groningen and organizes over 150 activities a year. The University of Groningen has strong international connections which means that you can easily spend part of your degree studying abroad. The University also offers several unique international Master’s degree programmes in cooperation with other large European universities.
Contact info
University of Groningen
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