MA History of Art and Chinese Studies

Year 1

You will study History of Art 1, covering the period from the fall of the Roman Empire until the end of the Counter-Reformation. This will include non-Western material. You will also study Chinese 1, a foundation course in modern spoken Mandarin and written Chinese. The third course is Modern East Asian History, a political, social and cultural history of East Asia from 1600 to the present day.

Year 2

You will study History of Art 2, which begins with the 18th century and continues to the present day. You will also study Chinese 2A ( a continuation of Chinese 1) and either Chinese 2B, Pre-modern East Asia to 1600, or an option course.

Year 3

Year 3 is spent in China, to acquire language and written skills. You will also write either one or two independent projects for history of art, or you may elect to write the first part of your dissertation preparation for Chinese.

Year 4

You will select courses from both History of Art and Chinese. You will also write a dissertation in either history of art or Chinese.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2019/20)

Our facilities

Most history of art teaching takes place in the University's Central Area or within Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).

Most Chinese Studies teaching takes place at the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, in the University's Central Area, and you will have access to the School's language labs.

You will have access to the University's libraries and computing facilities and can take advantage of Edinburgh's galleries and museums, many of which are located near the University.

Study abroad

All students spend Year 3 studying in China.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, individual supervisions, language tuition and museum and gallery visits.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by coursework and exams. In Years 3 and 4, you will complete at least one independent project in history of art, and a longer dissertation, in either history of art or Chinese studies

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2019/20)

History of Art & Chinese Studies at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a range of careers in the art world such as curatorships in galleries and museums, art journalism, publishing, art dealing, tourism, graphics, advertising, heritage management and auctioneering.

This particular degree benefits from a growing global market and interest in Asian art.

Some graduates use their skills and experience for careers in management or teaching, while some choose to go on to further study

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAA - ABBB by end of S5. If you haven't achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 18/10/2019 from 'AAAA - AABB'.)
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5: English at grade C and a language other than English at grade A.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at grade C or 4 and a language other than English at grade A or 7.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at grade 5 and a language other than English at grade 6.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C

• SQA Standard Grade 3

• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A

• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C

• GCSE Grade C or 4

• Level 2 Certificate Grade C

• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component

• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section

• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component

• PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section

• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA History of Art and Chinese Studies

Additional costs

You will bear the costs of printing your work, for example, the final year dissertation, which must be submitted on paper. In addition, there may be small costs associated with travel to visit exhibitions, but these are usually limited to c£10-£20 per visit. During your year in China, you will be responsible for accommodation and maintenance costs.

You will spend September to July of Year 3 at a university in Taiwan or China. This is a compulsory part of your programme. Costs will vary according to the location. Some scholarship money may be available from external sources, on a competitive basis, for students studying in China.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Web: Contact CAHSS Undergraduate Admissions Office
• International enquiries