Global Premodern Art: History, Heritage and Curation MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: History of Art

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | 2 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme website
Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

This programme invites you to join one of the largest and most diverse concentrations of medieval, renaissance and early modern art historical expertise in the UK. Together, we will uncover neglected narratives and scrutinise assumptions that have often served as the foundations of art historical scholarship.

This programme aims to:

  • diversify art history
  • reveal meaningful connections and shared concerns
  • embrace a breadth of theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches to objects from across the world.

You will cover a period from the third to the eighteenth century, with a far-reaching geographical scope, including:

  • the British Empire
  • Europe
  • the Mediterranean
  • Latin America
  • the Middle East and North Africa
  • India, China and Japan.

You will also study cultures from Christian to Islamic and Hindu to Buddhist.

The programme will allow you to conduct in-depth research projects in Edinburgh’s rich collection of archives and libraries, with behind-the-scenes access to world-leading galleries and museums.

You will also have the opportunity to spend a week in a place of global importance during the premodern period, such as Rome or Paris, working closely with members of the programme team.

Thinking about studying MSc Global Premodern Art: History, Heritage and Curation  at Edinburgh College of Art? Discover the programme, how you'll be taught, and hear from our students about their study experiences with us.

Study options

Part-time study

If you choose to study part-time, you will take half the usual number of courses. 

Typically this will mean you study four courses in your first year (for example, one core course and three option courses), and then two courses (for example, one core course plus an option course), plus the Dissertation in your second year.

Programme benefits

  • Embrace cultural perspectives from across the globe to reassess a range of judgement values attached to medieval, renaissance and early modern art that have often been taken as universal.
  • Draw on the expertise of internationally renowned global premodern art experts.  
  • Opportunity to spend an optional working week in Rome, experiencing first-hand the city as a global hub.  
  • With access to Edinburgh’s world-class galleries, museums and libraries, you will explore rare visual, material and archival collections.  
  • Gain hands-on experience through our internship programme and graduate ready to begin PhD research or a career in the cultural and heritage sectors.

My experience in the Global Premodern Art: History, Heritage and Curation master's degree programme was nothing short of extraordinary! I highly recommend the programme to prospective students because of its unique global perspective on art history, which is essential for the field's future. Our course selection is thoughtfully curated to offer a wide variety of interconnected topics including various cultures across premodern history. In our classes, such as 'Approaching World Objects' and 'Global Rome', our instructors presented a different object from diverse cultures each week. This creative approach allowed us to broaden our understanding of art history and curation in an engaging way.  

This is the programme for you if you are seeking hands-on learning experiences in class and through a variety of engaging workshops, museum tours, and archive visits. A highlight of our programme is the week-long study trip to Rome, guided by our tutors. We had an itinerary packed with valuable visits to sites like the Venerable English College, the Villa Farnesina, Santa Maria Maggiore, and the catacombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica. I had the opportunity to experience artefacts firsthand and conduct research for my own project in the Eternal City.  

Through internship opportunities, lectures, and resources made available to us, I feel that my educators have prepared me to enter the workforce. Our Virtual Reality group curation project enabled us to collaborate with peers and develop practical teamwork skills. Throughout my time in the programme, I have been challenged to enhance my research and writing skills by our accomplished faculty of educators. Additionally, the supportive community of faculty and fellow students has enriched my experience living in the remarkable city of Edinburgh. My time in the programme has enabled me to grow both academically and personally. These are invaluable lessons, experiences, and friendships that I will carry with me as I move forward. 

Julia Kopits MSc Global Premodern Art: History, Heritage and Curation, graduated 2025

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

This programme has no compulsory additional costs, but to fully participate in this programme we recommend you budget a minimum of £300 on top of the tuition fee for the optional study trip and other travel.

The optional study trip is not included in the programme tuition fees. You will need to cover travel, meals and incidentals for the trip, which typically runs for four days, at an average cost of £250.

You may also need to pay the cost of local or national travel to local monuments and institutions via public transport for seminars and research.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

You will study three compulsory courses:

  • Approaching World Objects: focuses on global material culture and heritage, exhibition design and interpretation (Semester 1)
  • Global Premodern Cities: This course examines premodern cities as global hubs of cultural transmission, connectivity and exchange and incorporates. This course includes an optional study week in a place of global importance during the premodern period, such as Rome or Paris (Semester 2)
  • Dissertation: on a premodern art subject of your choice (Summer).

You will also choose four option courses, from a range reflecting the expertise of our staff, as well as relevant courses in:

  • music
  • literature
  • history
  • languages
  • architectural history

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Field trips

Most option courses will include local visits to museums, galleries, archives and auction houses.

Students will also have the opportunity to spend a week in a place of global importance during the premodern period, such as Rome or Paris, working closely with members of the programme team.

Placements

You will have the option to gain hands-on experience through our internship opportunities at national and local institutions that specialise in the display, documentation and social relevance of art and culture. 

These placements are competitively awarded, and not all applicants can be guaranteed a place. Typically we award around 40 placements per year.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of:

  • small-group teaching
  • individual tutorials
  • research seminars
  • lectures.

Tutorials are discussion-based, and you will be asked to join in with discussion of key texts, images and objects which are relevant to the course.

This programme is heavily based in reading academic texts, writing essays, and class discussion of ideas. Courses require students to read and prepare notes on up to 12 academic articles or book chapters per week, and we expect a high level of personal and group participation in class discussion.

Approximately half of the working week involves independent study and research.

The option courses are taught by individual staff members and student numbers are capped to ensure a small group learning environment.

The dissertation is supervised by a staff member with relevant expertise, while dissertation workshops are also offered before you start your dissertation research.

Besides the teaching that forms part of our curriculum, you are expected to attend the History of Art Research Seminars that take place weekly during term time. These seminars are given by researchers in the field and are important for introducing you to new material and approaches beyond our own expertise.

Your cohort leader may organise additional educational events with invited researchers that you are also expected to attend. Overall, you should prepare for an intellectually intense year with opportunities to meet people in the field and expand your role as a researcher.

Assessment

Formal assessment is by means of essays, project work, presentations, and a dissertation.

Course assessment is typically through a mix of 4,000 word essays, presentations, and other academic tasks such as exhibition catalogue entries, exhibition proposals or reflective reports.

Overall, students are required to write 12,000 words for their assessment each semester, as well as the 15,000 word dissertation in the summer.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this programme will be able to:

  • critically analyse, evaluate, and synthesise the study of global art histories informed by developments at the forefront of research
  • scrutinise the setting and display of art historical objects, taking account of their physical, institutional, cultural, and historical context
  • plan and execute a significant project of research, including defining research questions or problems and testing them against evidence and existing research
  • deploy a wide range of media to present art history to a broad public
  • pursue professional careers in art history and the cultural and heritage sectors.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

ECA’s Student and Academic Support Service (SASS) supports students throughout their studies in all degree programmes at ECA.

You will have a dedicated Student Adviser, based within SASS, who is specially trained to support you during your studies. Your Student Adviser will be your first point of contact for any support, including questions about your studies or your well-being. Your Student Adviser can support you with:

  • personal or wellbeing issues that you are facing, including how to access specialist support 
  • queries related to your programme, such as course enrolments, programme transfers and academic progression 
  • applying for extensions and special circumstances 
  • advice about how to take a break from your studies 
  • registering with the Disability and Learning Support Service

Our academic staff

At ECA, you'll join a community of practising curators, artists, illustrators, writers, critics and designers working across visual, and material culture.

Staff on the programme include:

  • Dr Caroline McCaffrey-Howarth, Programme Director
  • Dr Amelia Hope Jones, Course Organiser, Approaching World Objects
  • Dr Jess Bailey, Course Organiser, Global Premodern Cities

Where you will study

Study location

Edinburgh College of Art is based in the heart of Edinburgh, within the University's Central Area. 

You will be taught in lecture theatres and our purpose-built History of Art classrooms within ECA's Lauriston Campus and across the University's Central Area. 

Some of our courses also involve visits to the city's museums and art galleries.

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston Campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus | Edinburgh College of Art

Academic facilities

You will have access to:

  • specialist facilities at ECA and the wider University
  • a range of study spaces and specialist classrooms
  • computing facilities and creator labs
  • libraries and special collections

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the Edinburgh College of Art and explore our facilities and campus with our virtual tour.

Take a virtual tour of Edinburgh College of Art

Career opportunities

The wide-ranging nature of this programme will equip you for further, more specialised, study and potentially a future academic career.

The vocational element is the ideal stepping-stone to a career in art history, whether in the public or private heritage sectors, including:

  • museums
  • galleries
  • libraries
  • archives
  • auction houses
  • the media.

Transferable skills

You will gain an array of highly transferable skills that employers look for in graduates. These include:

  • communication
  • project management
  • problem-solving.

More specifically, our approach means you will gain confidence in employing analytic skills especially attuned to the nuances of cultural exchange and a global outlook.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 29 June 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

What is it really like to study here? Our students share their experiences on our social media. 

You can find out what a day in the life is like for an Edinburgh College of Art student, from late nights in the library to their favourite walks around the city! 

Instagram: Edinburgh College of Art

Our community

At Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) we bring together creative practices that shape the world around us. 

 

We deliver innovative teaching, research and public engagement in an inclusive and sustainable environment with outstanding services and facilities to support your ambitions.  

With degrees in Art, History of Art, Music, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and Design, you’ll be joining a diverse community of artists, art historians, designers, academics, researchers, architects, landscape architects and musicians.  

ECA is a rich, textured, and inclusive learning environment. Diverse practices co-exist as the embodiments of an individual and collective pursuit of knowledge, for the betterment of humankind and our planet.   

Our approach is explicitly inclusive, future facing and interdisciplinary, embracing of bold innovation and continuous enhancement.  

Find out more about the Edinburgh College of Art community

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland, making it the perfect location to study History of Art.

The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:

  • the Talbot Rice Gallery
  • the Centre for Research Collections
  • St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum

Edinburgh is home to several major annual festivals, each bringing talent from around the world to our streets and stages, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. These include the:

  • Festival Fringe
  • Film Festival
  • Art Festival
  • Book Festival
  • Jazz and Blues Festival

Some of our students even participate in our annual festivals.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office

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