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History of Art with Collections Management at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MA History of Art with Collections Management will absorb you in the rich and dynamic discipline of the history of art as well as preparing you for the museum workplace with an intensive collections management module that will equip you with essential skills and experience. Why choose this course?

  • You will study with internationally recognised experts. Our teaching staff are defining the field, conducting groundbreaking research in periods from medieval to contemporary.
  • You will meet experts in London museums and galleries to discuss their work, as well as engaging in hands-on activities relating to documentation, object handling and care.
  • As well as regular gallery and museum visits, talks by visiting speakers and screenings, you will have the opportunity to gain further experience by applying for a 10-week supervised work placement in a museum, gallery or archive.
What you will learn This course will train you in key art historical approaches so you can focus on areas and periods of particular interest. You will gain a solid grasp of the key issues and fundamental, professional skills involved in collections management and an insight into different working practices. You will develop an understanding of the core processes by which museums and galleries ascribe value and meaning to artworks and objects and master a range of methods and sources, including archives, collections, historical and contemporary texts, and a broad spectrum of artistic media from cathedrals to digital installations. How you will learn This course is available to study full- or part-time and you can study online as well as on campus. Classes are held in the evenings. These include lectures and seminars with an emphasis on debate. The Collections Management module is taught intensively in the daytime over a one-week period during the spring term. You will be able to choose from option modules and explore a range of media: painting, sculpture, print culture, architecture, digital art, photography and performance. You will also devise your own research project. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. The online option will not be available to you because it may affect the conditions of your visa. Highlights
  • You will have the opportunity to apply for a work placement in one of London's world-renowned museums, galleries or archives.
  • We offer an exciting study trip abroad every spring.
  • Birkbeck is one of the leading universities for the study of the history of art and was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • You can become involved in our lively research culture and attend events, including at our Peltz Gallery, Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Centre for Museum Cultures and Murray Group.
  • You will have access to resources and renowned art collections, monuments and study facilities in London.
  • We offer a number of bursaries and funds to support coursework research expenses.
Careers and employability On graduation you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:
  • highly developed visual skills
  • understanding and applying complex theories
  • use of analytical tools
  • the ability to research and write professional documents
  • collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented assignments and fluent critical arguments.
Graduates can pursue career paths in the museums and heritage sector, arts management, conservation and policy, education, marketing and publishing and research and academia. Possible professions include:
  • museum/gallery curator
  • museum registrar or collections manager
  • arts administrator
  • auctioneer
  • researcher
  • lecturer in higher education
  • advertising account executive.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Coursework only, consisting of essays of up to 5000 words, a work placement project and a 15,000-word dissertation.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above). For students with a degree in a subject outside the arts and humanities, the one-year part-time Graduate Certificate in History of Art and Architecture can be used as a conversion course. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate with Merit will normally be guaranteed a place on this course. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

To be confirmed
History of Art with Collections Management at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS