Enquire to study in the UK 
How artists express themselves throughout time gives us a visual history of the past. The study of art history explores the days of old through an aesthetic lens, examining different cultures and the techniques they used to form works of art. If you hope to work in museums and galleries or dedicate your life to studying art history, a master’s at The Courtauld Institute of Art is the way to go.
Ranked as one of the top three universities worldwide for History of Art by QS World University Rankings 2023, The Courtauld is located in the heart of London with its own institute and gallery. In fact, The Courtauld Gallery has one of the greatest art collections in the UK, with iconic works such as Van Gogh’s “Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergere.” It’s close to other galleries, where teaching often takes place.
The MA History of Art has an intake of about 200 to 250 students each year. Source: The Courtauld Institute of Art
“Studying at The Courtauld is an exciting journey of discovery,” says Yu, MA History of Art student. “It is my first time living in the centre of art institutions and libraries, and I had enjoyed spending all weekends exploring the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and V&A nicely and slowly before they closed due to the pandemic.”
The nine-month MA History of Art combines both breadth and depth. “The balanced MA programme at The Courtauld offers invaluable hands-on experience and independent study, with its courses driven by current research trends,” says student Flora. “I have attended conferences and seminars at the Research Forum and benefitted from an invaluable study trip to Berlin, where I visited Bauhaus Centenary exhibitions and participated in private gallery tours led by experts in Modernist design.”
The MA is one of the largest graduate Art History programmes anywhere in the world and offers the best in research-led teaching by world-class faculty members. With its own specialised institute, this programme will help you develop into a well-rounded and intellectually astute art historian or museum professional ready to make key contributions to public life. In fact, The Courtauld’s MA programme is known for offering training in specialised analytical and communications skills to gear you up for further research or employment in the arts sector (which covers a wide range of careers). With an intake of 200 to 250 students per year, all of whom learn together in the “Methodologies in Conversation” sessions, you are exposed to a variety of voices and perspectives on the issues of current art historical concern.
Another class of note is the “Special Options” class, which stretches across two semesters and is considered the most focused. Taught in small groups of eight to 10, these sessions are related to the research and specialisms of your teachers. Each year, these classes change and include over 20 choices ranging from the early Middle Ages to the present and from Britain, Europe and North America to Iran, China and Latin America. This gives you great insight into the research being conducted, and you get front-row seats to fascinating findings.
“The MA course has challenged me to persevere with lines of research in specific topics and given me the experience to make a more practical, visual response to themes and artworks studied in the Special Options through the Virtual Exhibition project,” says Flora. “With its focus on inventive design and audience engagement techniques, the project enabled me to develop new curatorial skills and respond directly to the vibrant collections I visited throughout the year at London’s Tate Britain, V&A and Design Museums.”
The Courtauld’s close-knit community of alumni and students helps you tap into more opportunities. Source: The Courtauld Institute of Art
As an MA student, you will be invited to join “Foundations” lectures which explore art history across the spectrum of time and place. Offered across The Courtauld, these lectures will let you explore a broader range of topics. There are also “Shared Interest” classes for those who would like to deep dive into one area and a “Research Forum” which hosts a daily series of seminars and conferences on new art history findings. The latter has over 150 events every year
Between your main courses and these additional sessions, you will build transferable skills that prepare you for a variety of job opportunities. With the help of bespoke, one-on-one career guidance, you can explore careers, further study options, internships and more opportunities that will propel you forward in the job and self-employed market. This service is also available to graduates for up to two years after graduation.
Being part of a close network of graduates, students and academics has been as invigorating as it’s been useful. “I have enjoyed becoming part of The Courtauld community and working closely with students across year groups whilst writing and editing articles for The Courtauldian,” she says. “As well as compiling reviews for the bi-annual publication, I have been able to liaise with institutions such as the Migration Museum and Tate Britain to conduct interviews and write exhibition reviews.”
Join The Courtauld Institute of Art’s MA History of Art.
Follow The Courtauld Institute of Art on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
