Program Overview
The History of Art at The University of Edinburgh is a MSc programme in Humanities over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the History of Art programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Tuition: GBP 17,400 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 7,000 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the History of Art programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
The programme is underpinned by two compulsory courses over the academic year, called:
- Research Theories and Methods
- The Cultures and Politics of Display.
You will also take option courses ranging across Chinese and Islamic art, European art from Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Modern times, right up to the most recent art being made in the UK and abroad today.
In the end, you will have developed strong research abilities, a wide knowledge of art in its many contexts, an ability to communicate your ideas clearly, and, for those who study the work placement, first-hand experience of some of the practices and concepts of museology and contemporary curating.
Find courses for this programme
Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.
The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.
Part-time
Full-time
We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Field trips
Beyond the classroom: Scotland's cultural landscapes
As a student on this programme, you will benefit from a number of organised visits and field trips to cultural institutions in Scotland. These trips will give you:
- privileged, behind the scenes experience of Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector
- an introduction to the work of curators and other professionals working in the arts and heritage
- valuable insight into the work of staging exhibitions, caring for collections and engaging the public
We see field trips as a fundamental learning tool, as well as an important opportunity to strengthen the sense of community within the programme.
There is no additional cost for these visits.
Many courses include a trip to a local museum, gallery or archive to discuss objects and displays on a theme relevant to the course.
Placements
All students have the opportunity to apply for a work placement in a local museum, gallery or achieve. These placements are competively awarded, and not all applicants can be guaranteed a place. Typically we award around 40 placements per year.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
You need the following GPA score:
Applicants for graduate programs must have the equivalent of a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree with a minimum GPA equivalent to Upper Second Class on the UK Honour scale. Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of or better on the UK Honour scale. No exam grade should be lower than 4.5 (European grade scale) or D (American grade scale).
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated using the grades that you received in each course, and is determined by the points assigned to each grade (e.g. for the US grading scale from A-F).
Normally a 2:1 honours degree or its equivalent if outside the UK, in a relevant subject.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:
IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)
PTE(A): total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)
CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
If you completed a CAE or CPE before January 2015 please contact the Admissions Office for the accepted grades.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 17,400 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 7,000 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 17,400 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 7,000 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 7
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact The University of Edinburgh directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh (Universitas Academica Edinburgensis) is a historic and globally respected public research university in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, founded in 1583, making it one of the...
University Profile- Application Deadline 14 September 2026
- Start Date 2017-09-18
- Language English
- Duration 12 months