As a postgraduate student in History of Art at Birmingham, you will study in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, our acclaimed public gallery on-campus in which the Department is based. Taught modules and research topics are varied, reflecting the range of expertise of our academic staff.
The Department offers two taught Masters programmes, MA History of Art and MA Art History and Curating, as well as two research masters programmes, the MRes and the MA by Research. The Department also offers a PhD programme in History of Art.
As part of the MA Art History and Curating, postgraduate students have the opportunity to be involved in a curatorial project such as a public exhibition (see previous student projects). Students choosing the MA History of Art have the option to select the British Art Pathway, which provides a specialist training with network links with institutions and journals concentrating on British Art.
We have a thriving postgraduate community, in a stimulating university and gallery environment with an internationally recognised research culture. The Department hosts public lectures, research seminars and annual symposia that postgraduate students are encouraged to actively participate in. It is also home to the online Journal of Art Historiography. Each year a postgraduate student is invited to become the editorial assistant and oversee two online editions of the journal.
Postgraduate scholarships available
The College of Arts and Law is offering a range of scholarships for our postgraduate taught and research programmes to ensure that the very best talent is nurtured and supported.
Learn more about our scholarships
The University stresses the need to develop transferable skills that will help you succeed in a variety of fields. I have learned how to interact, speak to and teach people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I have learned how to plan and deliver a public presentation and seminars for undergraduate students. I also gained experience in time management, prioritising my workload, multitasking and concise communication in speaking and writing.”
Cosmin (Read Cosmin's story)