MA History of Art and Architectural History

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 Architectural History 1, which is a survey from antiquity to the present day. You will also choose an option course from another subject area.

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 Architectural History 2A, Order in the City, and Architectural History 2B, Culture and the City.

As with Year 1, you will be able to choose an option course from another subject area.

Year 3

Text and Theories in Western Architecture will be studied, and you will also choose from a selection of History of Art and Architectural History courses. You will undertake an independent research project for History of art. Study abroad is possible in Year 3.

Year 4

You will select courses that build on your subject choices in Year 3. You will also write a dissertation in either History of Art or Architectural History.

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 (2020/21)

Our facilities

Most of our teaching takes place in the University's Central Area, in Minto House, on Chambers Street, or within Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).

Placements

There is a work placement option in Year 3.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Europe and North America via international exchange schemes. For details see the information available at ‘Student Exchanges’ on the Edinburgh Global webpage.

Student Exchanges

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

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

In Year 3, you will have the opportunity to pursue supervised independent projects that aim to develop pragmatic skills and experience directly relevant to careers in areas such as galleries, museums, heritage management, auction houses and art journalism.

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 and a longer dissertation.

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 (2020/21)

Studying History of Art and Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a range of careers in the art world, architectural/conservation firms and the public sector.

Careers include curatorships in galleries and museums, art journalism, publishing, art dealing, tourism, graphics, advertising, heritage management and auctioneering.

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-AABB by the end of S5 or AAAA-AAAB by the end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.(Revised 09/04/2020 from AAAA-AAAB and to include alternate grades to be achieved by end of S6.)
• A Levels: AAB - ABB.
• IB: 43 points with 776 at HL - 37 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

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 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 at A
• SQA Intermediate 2 at C
• GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level at 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 (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
• 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 degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

*(Revised 27 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition.)

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 Architectural History

Additional costs

You will bear the costs of printing.

There may be small costs associated with travel to visit exhibitions, but these are usually limited to £10-£20 per visit.

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

• Enquiry Management Team
• Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
• International enquiries