MA History of Art with Curating

The MA History of Art with Curating at Birkbeck University of London provides a unique blend of art historical and curatorial studies. The course explores the historical development of art and its relationship to social, cultural, and political contexts. Students will learn how to analyze, interpret, and present art through various curatorial strategies, gaining hands-on experience in the Birkbeck Art Library and Museum. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to pursue careers as curators, museum professionals, or art historians.

Additional Information

The course is designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of the history of art and its role in shaping contemporary culture. It offers a flexible structure that allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, such as modern and contemporary art, museum studies, or critical curating. The program also provides opportunities for collaboration with external partners, including galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.

Unlocking the Secrets of Art History: Why Choose Birkbeck University of London

Birkbeck University of London is a world-renowned institution for the study of history of art and curating. Our faculty consists of internationally recognized scholars and curators who are experts in their fields. The university's location in central London provides access to a rich cultural landscape, with numerous museums, galleries, and cultural institutions nearby. Birkbeck's strong reputation for interdisciplinary research and teaching prepares students for diverse careers in the arts.

The MA History of Art with Curating is ideal if you wish to combine learning the practical skills required in the museum workplace with the study of the rich and dynamic discipline of the history of art. It will give you a solid grasp of the key issues and skills involved in curating practice and an insight into the different working practices of various museums and galleries.

During an intensive week studying current issues and practices in curating you will meet curators and collections managers in London's thriving museum, galleries, and archives sector, and engage in hands-on activities including documentation, cataloging, and issuing loan requests.

You will also have the opportunity to apply for a 10-week supervised work placement in a museum, gallery, or archive. Previous work placements have been offered at the Tate, British Museum, Whitechapel Gallery, and Horniman Museum. Past students have documented collections that were previously uncatalogued, helped design and run school programs, conducted visitor research, and assisted curators in producing exhibitions.

Graduates can pursue career paths in the creative arts, media, and education. Possible professions include:

• museum/gallery curator

• arts administrator

• advertising account executive

• community arts worker

• multimedia specialist

• higher education lecturer.

Read how undertaking our MA in History of Art helped one student secure her dream job at Tate Britain.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service - Birkbeck Futures - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education, and future ambitions.

A second-class honors degree (2:2 or above).

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.