Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 History of Art (MA) Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF MA History of Art Discover new ways of thinking about art across different periods and geographies. Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time School/department Department of History of Art Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Why study history of art at York? Explore art history in both geographical and historical depth. Over the course of a full year, you will develop key research and analytical skills through rigorous critical approaches. This will enable you to shape and investigate a wide range of topics.
Key Program Features
Why study history of art at York?
Explore art history in both geographical and historical depth. Over the course of a full year, you will develop key research and analytical skills through rigorous critical approaches. This will enable you to shape and investigate a wide range of topics. You can choose from modules spanning the ancient world to the present day, tailoring the programme to reflect your own research interests. Small-group teaching is central to the course, fostering discussion and collaboration and supporting engagement with current debates shaping the discipline.
Join one of the largest and most vibrant art history departments in the UK. You will learn from leading researchers with global expertise, many of whom also bring professional experience from the wider cultural sector, including curating major international exhibitions. We have established relationships with museums and galleries across the UK, which inform our teaching and research culture. You may also have the opportunity to pursue placements or work-experience activities. We arrange these on an individual, ad hoc basis. Discover our collaborations .
Be part of an interdisciplinary research culture within York's Faculty of Arts and Humanities. This includes links with the Centre for Medieval Studies, Centre for Eighteenth-Century Studies, and Centre for Modern Studies. As part of this community, you can take elective modules and attend research seminars across disciplines. You will also benefit from dedicated teaching spaces. This includes exhibition space in Heslington Hall and access to the University of York Art Collection.
Invest in your future. This course prepares you for careers in museums, galleries, and heritage organisations, as well as publishing, arts education, cultural policy and the wider creative industries. It also provides strong preparation for further academic research and doctoral study.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
You'll gain the skills needed for a range of careers and to pursue a research degree. Our staff are experts in art history, meaning that you'll learn directly from professionals in the field. We also have a dedicated careers officer to support you when you need it.
Career opportunities
- teacher
- heritage manager
- copywriter
- conservationist
- art administrator
- gallery assistant
Transferable skills
- the ability to analyse and interpret information from different sources
- intellectual independence and autonomy
- excellent communication skills
- applying and adapting methodologies appropriate to your own research
- delivering projects to meet time constraints
Program Curriculum
Course content
This course can be tailored to your interests. You'll gain the skills to prepare you for independent research through a core module. You can then choose from option modules that span a broad range of topics. We'll support you to develop specialisms, pursue interests and explore areas that matter to you and your future career.
You'll acquire expertise in visual analysis through object-focused study. You will develop advanced skills in verbal and written communication. This will prepare you for your dissertation, the culmination of your degree.
Modules Dissertation Modules You’ll study one core module, four option modules and complete a dissertation. Core modules Art History in Practice Option modules Examples of our option modules can be found below. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Some option module combinations may not be possible. Making Fashion Doing Things with Photographs Art and Imagery in York Minster Medieval Art and Medievalisms Who Owns Antiquities? The Politics of Museology and Archaeology American Carnage: Politics, Violence and Subjectivity in Art, 1990-Now Painting on Light: Stained Glass in the Medieval Tradition Contemporary Art and Social Justice JMW Turner: Revolutions in British Art Monument, Object, Fetish, Artefact: Contesting 'Modern' Sculpture Art, Magic and the Miraculous in Medieval and Renaissance Italy Fashion: Theories, Materials and Images Interdisciplinary option modules You can also choose a limited number of modules from those offered by other humanities departments at York and by our centres. Centre for Medieval Studies (CMS) Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (CREMS) Centre for Eighteenth-Century Studies (CECS) Centre for Modern Studies (CModS) Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Dissertation You'll complete your dissertation with the support of your academic supervisor. The dissertation will be 10,000-12,000 words. Recent dissertation topics have included: Negotiating holy boundaries: why does the Renaissance painted Madonna wear illegible tiraz? The possibility of a distinct street art world: a case for street art festivals The Victorian Venus "Battle Between Styles" or "Between-Styles": Arts and Crafts, Aestheticism and Art Nouveau Rembrandt's Lucretia The art of legitimization: the coronation roll of Edward IV (1461-1483) Empty space in early modern historical tables Exploring dynamic tendencies through Roger van der Weyden's Descent From the Cross Monks, manuscripts and Muiredach: inspiring the high crosses of Ireland
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent |
| Other qualifications and experience | We will consider applications from mature students or applicants without formal academic qualifications if you have substantial related experience. We may ask you for an interview in this instance. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Additional requirements
You will need to submit an example of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work . English language If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications: Qualification Minimum requirement IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 6 in each component Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, minimum 126 in each component Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component Kaplan Test of English Language 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component TOEFL 87, minimum of 21 in each component Trinity ISE III Merit in all requirements For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements . If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 15,680/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)