History of Art and History of Music MA (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: History of Art Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code VW33 Award MA (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Multiple campuses Start date September 2026 School Edinburgh College of Art College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Study abroad Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme You will study history of art and history of music in equal depth with this joint honours programme.History of art and history of music complement each other. Many ideas are shared across the visual arts and music. Both subjects benefit from shared base methodologies and historical contexts. History of artHistory of art will introduce you to art from different periods and world cultures. You will: learn how, and for whom, works of art were made situate artworks within visual and material culture more broadly explore the meanings of works of art and visual culture and the ways they continue to be interpretedHistory of musicIn history of music, you will explore a broad range of music through various contexts, including:aesthetic contextcultural contextsocial contextpolitical contextYou will be introduced to varied issues relating to the production and reception of both popular and western art music.In Years 3 and 4 you will choose from a diverse range of options and have the opportunity to write a dissertation on a music-related topic. 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 benefits You will work alongside leading academics, many of whom are involved in curating at major international art institutions.Our range of teaching specialisms is one of the broadest in the UK, including Asian, Islamic, Mesoamerican, and European premodern and contemporary art, and the global art market.This degree will provide you with an opportunity to learn a great deal of transferable skills and abilities as part of an arts and humanities degree from a world-leading, research-intensive University that opens doors to graduate jobs and opportunities beyond music. 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. 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Additional costs You will pay for the costs of printing.As part of your studies, there will be occasional costs associated with travel to visit exhibitions. 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 your first two years, you will take courses introducing you to both the history of art and history of music.In Years 3 and 4 you will have the opportunity to:specialise in particular aspects of the fielddevelop independent research projectsdevelop a dissertationstudy abroad (Year 3) Year 1 You will study History of Art 1. This course covers the period from the fall of the Roman Empire until the end of the Counter-Reformation, including non-Western material. You will take: Popular Music History, which explores the texts and contexts of popular music from 1800Thinking about Music, where you will engage with a broad musical repertoire and some of the major debates surrounding the study of musicYou will also choose an optional course from music or another subject area. Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 You will study History of Art 2, which covers the 18th century to the present day. You will also study: Understanding Music History 1: Critical Approaches to Music from the Middle Ages to the Late Eighteenth Century Understanding Music History 2: The Idea of Western Art Music from Romanticism to the Late Twentieth Century Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 In Year 3 you will: take a selection of history of art and history of music courses complete a history of art independent project You will also have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3. Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 In Year 4 you will select courses that build on your subject choices in Year 3. You will also write a dissertation in history of art or history of music. 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 Field trips Throughout the programme, courses may include field trips to local galleries, museums and archives with an emphasis on learning about artworks and objects. Teaching and assessment Teaching You will be taught through: lectures seminars tutorials individual supervisionmuseum and gallery visits Assessment You will be assessed by: coursework exams independent projects a 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 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 At ECA, you'll join a community working across visual, material and sensual cultures, including:art historiansmusicianspractising designersartistsillustratorswriterscriticscuratorsThe majority of our faculty members in the subject area teach on the programme.You will meet and work with most of them during your studies.You can explore the to discover more of the staff you will learn from.ECA People Directory Where you will study Study location Most history of art teaching takes place in the University's Central Area or at the Lauriston campus of the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA). Most music teaching takes place in: Alison House, in the University's Central Area the Reid Concert Hall St Cecilia's Hall other locations across ECAYou will also get to experience lectures and classes across the wider University of Edinburgh campus. Academic facilities You will have access to the University's libraries and computing facilities. You can also take advantage of Edinburgh's galleries and museums, many of which are near the University.Investing 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 This programme prepares you for a range of careers, including: curatorships in galleries and museums art and music journalism publishing, public relations and media art dealing and auctioneering tourism sound archives graphics heritage management auctioneeringSome graduates use their skills and experience for: careers in management or teachingfurther 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: Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary)Global Premodern Art: History, Heritage and Curation MScHistory 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 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 lots of societies related to art and music that you can join at the University.These include:History of Art SocietyContemporary Art SocietyEdinburgh Gallery SocietyArts & Heritage SocietyMusic Technology SocietyElectronic Music SocietyIndependent Music SocietyHip Hop SocietyRock and Metal SocietyFreshAir RadioTaylor Swift SocietyMusic Society (Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Chorus)Programming SocietyFolk and Traditional Music SocietyWest African Drum and Dance SocietyWind Band, Brass BandComposers Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber OrchestraA Cappella Society, Chamber Choir, Female Voice Choir, Edinburgh University SingersOur 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 music.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, performing their work or as a hobby. 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
