Course summary
The Department of History of Art offers a broad-based master's programme, which enables you to study a range of periods and approaches before specialising for your dissertation. The MA draws on the research strengths of all members of the department, which includes specialists in medieval, renaissance and modern art. We aim to help you develop an informed understanding of the main strands of art history, as practised globally. We also offer curatorial units in collaboration with external museum partners, through which you will learn to research and catalogue museum collections and to mount exhibitions. Our students are drawn from a variety of backgrounds. Some have undergraduate degrees in art history, others do not, and some are working artists. Studying for this MA is a chance to become part of a thriving academic community, with a sizeable and close-knit student body and a lively programme of research and social events.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/ma-history-of-art.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any subject. For students of Fine Art, please be aware that this programme is rooted in history, not the study of Art as a discipline. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: - evidence of significant, relevant work experience - a minimum of one year in Creative industries - Journalism, Teaching, Curating, Museums, Art-related fields, Cultural sector. - a relevant postgraduate qualification If this is the case, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £14600 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £14600 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £14600 | Year 1 |
Wales | £14600 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £14600 | Year 1 |
EU | £29300 | Year 1 |
International | £29300 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Funding and studentship opportunities are listed on the Faculty of Arts funding pages. (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/study/postgraduate/funding/)
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU