History of Art and Architectural History MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: History of Art

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

V360

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

About the degree programme

This is the programme for you if you're interested in art and visual culture, the histories and ideas they embody, and what the built environment can tell us about wider social cultural and political themes in history.

MA (Hons) History of Art and Architectural History will introduce you to art and architecture from different periods and world cultures.

You will take courses learning about art from the fall of the Roman Empire to the present day, as well as courses on architectural history. 

In history of art you will: 

  • learn how, and for whom, works of art were made 
  • explore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpreted

In architectural history you will:

  • explore the history of the built environment using a wide range of sources
  • consider issues in contemporary architectural heritage
  • learn about heritage conservation practices

As a student in Edinburgh College of Art, you will also study alongside art historians, 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.

How a joint degree programme works

A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.

Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.

You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.

Programme rankings

  • 8th in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design in the Complete University Guide 2025
  • 13th in the UK for History of Art in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Programme benefits

  • Our graduates have extensive knowledge and understanding of architectural history and art history plus its methods of study, and the necessary skills to demonstrate this.
  • This degree is highly distinctive as an undergraduate programme focused on architectural history and heritage, which also makes links to other subjects such as history of art. 
  • You will be taught by one of the largest concentrations of history of art, and architectural history specialists at any UK university, drawing on the latest research.
  • Teaching makes use of the exceptional libraries and archives at the University of Edinburgh as well as the resources of the wider city, a World Heritage Site. 
  • The degree is ideally suited for those with interests in history and architecture and may be a gateway to careers and further study in heritage and conservation, or a wide range of other professions. 

There’s an unprecedented number of professors who are experts, which really makes it special. 

Matty MA Architectural History and Heritage, graduated 2024. 

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) History of Art and Architectural History

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) History of Art and Architectural History.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

You will pay for the costs of printing.

There may be other 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 £1,023 to £2,043 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See 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

What you will study

In Years 1 and 2 you will study a mixture of core and option 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 take a work placement with one of our industry partners in the creative and cultural sector.

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 Counter-Reformation, including non-Western material
  • study Architectural History 1a and Architectural History 1b, covering the periods from antiquity to the 18th century and from 1800 to the present day 
  • choose option courses from another subject area
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 2 you will study: 

  • History of Art 2, which covers the 18th century to the present day 
  • Urbanism and the City: Past to Present, which examines the city as a social and cultural phenomenon 
  • Architectural History and Heritage in Practice, which introduces heritage management and conservation techniques and practices

As with Year 1, you can choose option courses from another subject area.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 3 you will: 

  • study Text and Theories in Western Architecture 
  • choose from a selection of history of art and architectural history courses 
  • complete an independent research project for the history of art 
  • carry out a work placement related to history of art or architectural history

You will also have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 4 you will:

  • select courses that build on your subject choices in Year 3 
  • write a dissertation in either history of art or architectural history
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 3, or
  • as a springboard for something completely new
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 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:

  • museums
  • galleries
  • special collections
  • heritage management institutions

Entry 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

In Years 1 and 2 learning and teaching involves:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • independent study, with a focus on reading in preparation for lectures and tutorials

Years 3 and 4 involve more seminars and independent study, with individual supervision of the final year dissertation.

Lectures

Lectures are delivered by experts in the field and provide an overview of key themes, concepts and questions relating to the week's topic.

Tutorials

In 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.

Assessment

Our courses use a variety of assessment methods, including: 

  • exams 
  • essays 
  • primary source analyses 
  • oral presentations 
  • podcasts 
  • online discussion forums 
  • participation in tutorials and seminars 

In Years 3 and 4 you will complete at least one independent project and a longer dissertation.

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 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

If 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 and across the University's Central Area.

Many of 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 University
  • a range of study spaces and specialist classrooms
  • computing facilities and creator labs
  • libraries and special collections
Investing in our learning environment

Edinburgh 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

Our programme prepares you to work in a range of sectors, including: 

  • the art world 
  • architectural or conservation firms 
  • charitable trusts 
  • the public sector

Careers include: 

  • curatorships in galleries and museums 
  • art journalism 
  • publishing 
  • art dealing 
  • tourism 
  • graphics 
  • advertising 
  • heritage management 
  • auctioneering
  • the conservation of buildings and cities
  • land management
  • heritage or historical consultancy
  • education

Some 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 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

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 degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study 

Postgraduate degrees you might be interested in could include:

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 qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence 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 website

Key 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:

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

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 website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

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

There are several societies related to the 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.

Societies

Sports 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 and architecture.

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 Gallery
  • 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 & 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 adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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Discover Uni data

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.