Course summary
Do you want to pursue your love of art history, ready for a career in the arts and curating sectors? Conduct original research into art objects and discover how to curate historical and contemporary art. You’ll study in our internationally renowned on-campus art gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Classes are also taught at other galleries in Birmingham. (Please note due to essential building works the Barber Institute of Fine Arts will be closed Spring 2025-Spring 2026). You’ll complete a curatorial project working with our academic staff and museum professionals from our partner organisations. Recent partners include The Barber Institute of Fine Arts in a unique partnership with the V&A, and Grand Union, an Arts Council England portfolio organisation. Expand your understanding of different areas of museum and art gallery practice, such as art interpretation; modes of display; marketing; access and learning; and administration and finance. Contribute to the department’s official blog, ‘The Golovine’, and attend our regular research seminars. Prepare for your future by gaining practical skills by working on a curatorial project and pitching your own business ideas in our Enterprising Culture module. Our Barber Institute of Fine Arts boasts a specialist research library, containing books and catalogues about art history, visual culture, curating and collecting.
Modules
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Visit the course page on the University of Birmingham website for the most up-to-date module information.
Entry requirements
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in History of Art. We will also consider a different Humanities or Arts subject, provided you can demonstrate your interest in History of Art. This might be through relevant work experience or studying relevant modules during your Honours degree. If your Honours degree is a high 2:2 (57% or above, or equivalent GPA) and you have extensive professional experience, or you can document mitigating circumstances that affected your undergraduate studies, you should contact the Programme Lead before making an application. We recommend using the personal statement to outline your interest in History of Art and any previous or current experience you have in this area. If you’ve been out of education for several years, we will consider professional references in place of the standard two academic references. Please be aware: places on this programme are limited as we can only accommodate a limited number of students on our curatorial projects. Due to the competitive nature of the programme, we strongly advise you apply early. Applications received before January 2025 will get first priority. Applications will then be reviewed again in March 2025 and May 2025.
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT