History of Art MA (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: History of Art Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code V350 Award MA (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Central Area Start date September 2026 School Edinburgh College of Art College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Study abroad Available Placement Available Open days and events Overview About the degree programme If you're interested in art and visual culture, and the histories and ideas that they embody, MA (Hons) History of Art is the programme for you.You do not need to have studied art history before, but you should be curious to learn about new ideas, places and times that will challenge how you see the world. As a history of art student, you will gain an informed and nuanced understanding of the artistic practice and visual and material culture in different historical periods.You will be taught by experts in specialist subjects. Many of our academic staff curate, or exhibit in, major international art exhibitions. On this programme, you will:learn how, and for whom, works of art were made and whyunderstand the place of artworks within visual and material culture more broadlyexplore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpretedEdinburgh is a culturally rich and active international city. We enjoy world-class museum and gallery collections and a busy contemporary arts scene.As a student, you will have the chance to make the most of the art and culture that is on offer, and if you choose a work placement in your third year, you may experience life behind the scenes in one of the city’s collections.Within the University, history of art is part of Edinburgh College of Art so you will study alongside practising artists, designers, architects and musicians. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is usually studied over 4 years, however, some students may be eligible to enter in the second year and complete the programme in 3 years. Programme rankings 8th in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design in the Complete University Guide 202513th in the UK for History of Art in the Guardian University Guide 2025 Programme benefits As a University of Edinburgh History of Art student, you will gain an informed and nuanced understanding of the artistic practice and visual and material culture in different historical periods. Our graduates have extensive knowledge and understanding of art history and its methods of study, and the necessary skills to demonstrate this. You will be taught by experts in specialist subjects. Many of our academic staff curate major international art exhibitions. You will also have access to Edinburgh's renowned art galleries and museums as well as specialist archives and cultural events. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for MA (Hons) History of Art View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) History of Art. Additional costs You will pay for the costs of printing.There may also be small costs associated with travel to visit exhibitions. These are usually limited to £10 to £20 per visit. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study In Years 1 and 2 you will study a mixture of core and optional courses. This offers you the flexibility to study courses that reflect your interests and enhance your studies. In Years 3 and 4 you will have the opportunity to specialise in particular aspects of the field. You will also develop independent research projects and a dissertation. Additionally, in Year 3 you will have the opportunity to study abroad or to undertake a work placement with one of our industry partners in the creative and cultural sector. Year 1 In Year 1 you will:study History of Art 1, covering the period from the fall of the Roman Empire until the end of the 17th century, including the unique focus on non-Western materialchoose up to four option courses, subject to availability and discussion with relevant course organisersYou will also practise the core skills of an art historian and humanities scholar, including:visual analysiscritical readinginformation literacycommunicating complex ideas clearly and accurately Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 In Year 2 you will:study History of Art 2, which covers the period from the year 1700 to the present daychoose up to four option courses from related fields such as architectural history and classical art, or from other subjects across the University Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 In Year 3 you will start to develop your independence as a scholar.You will take a core course on methods and approaches to art history. You will also have a choice of specialist options, including courses from architectural history.You will largely be taught in groups of 15 students with a focus on discussion and debate.You will have the opportunity to complete a work placement in a local cultural organisation, or study abroad. Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 DissertationThe main focus of Year 4 is a dissertation.This is a 10,000-word piece of original research on a topic of your choice. With guidance from a teaching staff member, you can use your dissertation:to refine interests you develop from Years 1 to 3or, as a springboard for something completely newCoursesIn your final year you will also take more optional courses. These further your area of specialisation and develop your skills.Similar to Year 3, your courses are taught in small groups. These offer opportunities to take your writing and debating skills to a very high level. Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Study abroad You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.Your study abroad options Placements In Year 3, if you do not study abroad, you will have the opportunity to complete a supervised work placement in a local cultural organisation.This involves a supervised position in one of Edinburgh's:museumsgalleriesspecial collectionsheritage management institutionsEntry to the work placement is competitive and is based on your CV and an interview with the host institution.All students have the opportunity to apply and benefit from training workshops on how to write applications and CVs, and how to approach interviews. Field trips Many of the specialist courses in Years 3 and 4 include field trips to local galleries, museums and archives with an emphasis on learning with artworks and objects. Teaching and assessment Teaching Pre-honoursIn Years 1 and 2 learning and teaching involves:lecturestutorialsindependent study, with a focus on reading in preparation for lectures and tutorialsLecturesLectures are delivered by experts in the field and provide an overview of key themes, concepts and questions relating to the week's topic.TutorialsIn tutorials, the emphasis is on student discussion in small groups. Some courses also incorporate small student study groups, which help you learn from each other in preparation for tutorials.HonoursYears 3 and 4 involve more seminars and independent study, with individual supervision of the final year dissertation. Assessment Our courses use a variety of assessment methods, including:examsessaysprimary source analysesoral presentationspodcastsonline discussion forumsparticipation in tutorials and seminars Sample timetable Tuesday10am to 11am History of Art 1 lectureThursday10am to 11am History of Art 1 lecture2pm to 3pm History of Art 1 tutorialFriday10am to 11am History of Art 1 lectureIn addition to this, you will also have lectures and tutorials for two elective courses. Support for your studies 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 supportqueries related to your programme, such as course enrolments, programme transfers and academic progressionapplying for extensions and special circumstancesadvice about how to take a break from your studiesregistering with the Disability and Learning Support ServiceIf you’re unsure who to ask, you can contact your Student Adviser as a first point of contact.Support for your studies Our academic staff You will be taught by experts in specialist subjects. Many of our academic staff curate, or exhibit in, major international art exhibitions.You can learn more about the staff who will teach you on ECA's people directory.ECA people directory 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 seminar rooms within ECA's Lauriston Campus and across the University's Central Area.Our courses also involve visits to the city's museums and art galleries. Academic facilities You will have access to:specialist facilities at ECA and the wider Universitya range of study spaces and specialist classroomscomputing facilities and creator labslibraries and special collectionsInvesting in our learning environmentEdinburgh College of Art is excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next three 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 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 paths and further study Career paths As a University of Edinburgh history of art student, you will gain an informed and nuanced understanding of the artistic practice and visual and material culture at different historical periods.You will gain extensive knowledge and understanding of art history plus its methods of study, and the necessary skills to demonstrate this.This programme prepares you for a range of careers in the art world, including:curatorships in galleries and museumsart journalismpublishingart dealingtourismgraphicsadvertisingheritage managementauctioneeringSome graduates use their skills and experience for careers in management or teaching, while some choose to go on to further study. 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Postgraduate degrees you might be interested in could include: Contemporary Art Theory MAGlobal Premodern Art: History, Heritage and CurationHistory of Art, Theory and Display MScModern and Contemporary Art: History, Curating and Criticism MScCollections and Curating Practices MScRHistory of Art MScRHistory of Art PhD, MPhil Graduate profiles Our 2023 MA History of Art graduate Prune Engerant recently won the Association for Art History's Undergraduate Dissertation Prize. Discover more updates like this and hear from our graduates on the ECA website.Association for Art History Undergraduate Dissertation Prize goes to ECA graduateAlumni profiles - Edinburgh College of Art Applying How to apply You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.Guidance on applying through UCAS What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)a reference How we select If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.How we select applicants When to apply 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.Search degrees that are open on the UCAS websiteKey application dates and deadlines After you apply After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at university Applying as an international student As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS. Find out more about applying through UCAS Visas and immigration If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. Applying for a visa Agents An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. Find contact details for an education agent Life at Edinburgh 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 Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf 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 There are several societies related to history of art at The University of Edinburgh. These include:History of Art Society Contemporary Art Society Edinburgh Gallery Society Arts & Heritage Society Our societies are not only subject-specific. You could join a society based on your interests, a charity or cause, or a hobby.Our societies and sports clubs will help you meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubs The city of Edinburgh Our vibrant capital is a blend of culture, history, nature and modern city life. A fantastic place to live, it is also the perfect location to study history of art. Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland.The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:the Talbot Rice GalleryCentre for Research CollectionsSt. Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music MuseumEdinburgh 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 FringeFilm FestivalArt FestivalBook FestivalJazz & Blues FestivalSome of our students even participate in our annual festivals. Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) 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 servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
