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UCAS code: TV13

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Edinburgh College of Art

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA History of Art and Chinese Studies

This joint honours programme, permits you the opportunity to study the history of art and Chinese studies in equal depth. The programme takes advantage of the University of Edinburgh's long-standing tradition of studying Asian literary and visual culture, and draws on expertise across the university.

A knowledge of Chinese language and culture is increasingly important as China becomes a bigger global player, economically and politically. China currently has the largest population in the world and the world's second largest economy.

Studying Chinese will provide you with an insight into the development of China's rich history, culture and literature. You will learn Mandarin Chinese and learn to read and write Classical and Modern Standard Chinese.

You will spend Year 3 in China or Taiwan where you will develop your language skills and experience the countries' rich culture.

What you will study

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 (2018/19)

Where you will study

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.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

Learning and assessment

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 (2018/19)

Career opportunities

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

Entry requirements

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

SQA Highers: AAAA - ABBB.
A Levels: AAB - ABB.
IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

SQA Highers: ABBB.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6. National 5: English at Grade C and a language other than English at Grade A. (Revised 22/10/2018 to reflect that we no longer require Mathematics or an approved science.)
A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: English at Grade C or 4 and a language other than English at Grade A or 7. (Revised 22/10/2018 to reflect that we no longer require Mathematics or an approved science.)
IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects. SL: English at 5 and a language other than English at 6. (Revised 22/10/2018 to reflect that we no longer require Mathematics or an approved science.)

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

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

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

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

Mature applicant qualifications

English language requirements

You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

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
Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

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)

Unistats data

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 Unistats data available.

Fees, costs and funding

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.