Explore a wide range of art history across different periods, regions, themes and topics.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Upcoming eventsIn contemporary society, with innovative technologies for visual research and communication, the ability to analyse images, art and architecture is more valuable than ever.
Our flexible course has exceptional historical and geographical breadth and depth, encompassing architecture, art objects and their related visual practices from the antique to the contemporary.
You'll study a core module and choose four option modules. You'll also have the ability to later focus your academic interests with your dissertation topic choice.
The course caters for generalists with broad interests, and those who are coming to art history from another discipline. If you take the general route through the course, you can choose from all the available options, and you can devise a programme that meets your specific interests. This will give you the flexibility to study art by time period, to focus on a specific medium, or to pursue a specific methodological perspective.
Alternatively, you can take one of four pathway routes through the programme, in Architectural History and Theory, Curating, Fashion History and Islamic Arts and Cultures. This will allow a degree of specialism in your module option choices and dissertation topic.
We are one of the largest History of Art departments in the UK. We have developed successful partnerships with museums, galleries and country houses that will enrich your studies and may offer you placement opportunities and privileged access to collections.
The course at York offers a great deal of approaches to art history, while many will know of York as a centre for studying the medieval, the course offers many opportunities to study more contemporary works and consider the theories behind them as well as considering multidisciplinary approaches.Paul, MA History of Art
Our course is designed to be flexible, allowing you to design a unique programme for yourself that aligns best with your own interests.
Each pathway contains specialist option modules that relate to one of four chosen subjects in history of art. You can take these modules alongside our other option modules to create a bespoke study pathway.
Gain the practical skills needed to lead curatorial projects and address ethical and political issues within the field. You'll study under intellectually-recognised curators and make use of the University art collection.
Explore the production of the dressed body across images, text and objects across time. You'll explore both global and local challenges and develop your own specialisms. This will enable you to develop your critical analysis skills and engage with different mediums.
Examine the material culture of the wider Islamic world from the medieval through to early modern period. You'll study a variety of ceramics, architecture and the arts of the book from Spain to India.
You'll consider the material, aesthetic and social aspects of architecture. As well as this, you'll study architectural analysis and interpretation. This includes ekphrastic description, architectural representation and built fabric analysis.
You play an active role in building your degree by choosing your options and designing your research project. You'll also develop your methodological awareness. This will help you to forge a more sophisticated understanding of how artworks create meaning and why some artworks have been deemed culturally more significant than others.
The course enables you to develop advanced skills in verbal and written communication, and effective project management. You'll acquire a high level of expertise in visual analysis and art-historical research through object-focused study and an intensively researched MA dissertation.
You also have the option to develop your interdisciplinary interests by taking modules in related academic disciplines such as history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, sociology and others.
Our expert academic staff support you every step of the way through personalised, small-group teaching, individual tutorials and field trips.
You'll study one core module, as well as your dissertation. You'll also choose to study four option modules. If you're on a pathway, you'll take up to two of these option modules in your pathway area. Then, you'll write a dissertation on a related topic.
You'll choose four options. If you're taking the general route through the programme, these can be in any subject area. If you take one of the pathways, you'll choose two or more in your chosen area. The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch.
Gain the practical skills needed to lead curatorial projects and engage with pressing ethical issues in the field.
Apply dress and textile research to answer novel questions about the modern world. You'll develop global and local connections through engaging with mediums from public history to academic writing.
Develop a deep understanding of the material culture of the Islamic world, from the seventh century to today.
Focus on the history and theory of architecture across a range of periods, places and mediums, including European architecture of the medieval and early modern periods.
You can choose a limited number of modules from those offered by other humanities departments at York and by our centres.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You'll complete your dissertation with the support of your academic supervisor. The dissertation will be up to 15,000 words.
Recent dissertation topics have included:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
The Department of History of Art offers so much more than I had ever dreamed of when I was applying. It is an amazing academic community to be a part of.Nina Sipova, MA History of Art graduateHear more from our students and graduates.
Visit high-profile museums and galleries, local country houses, churches and our partnership institutions. Explore the region's Henry Moore Institute, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Hepworth Wakefield as well as its Anglo-Saxon and medieval heritage.
Our strengths include architectural history and theory, British art, contemporary art, film and new media, medieval art, sculpture and stained-glass.
York is a UNESCO City of Media Arts and part of the Creative Cities Network.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£5,600 | £12,950 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
A wide range of funding opportunities includes placements with funding from the Department's partnership studentships with museums and galleries, departmental studentships, overseas scholarships and funding for students with specific research interests.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Each option module is taught by weekly two-hour seminars. You'll have the opportunity to go on field-trips organised by the Department to view art and architecture, these will be an integral part of your learning.
You'll be taught with lectures, seminars and one-to-one meetings with your lecturer or supervisor. You'll have six hours on average per week of classes.
You'll study independently for 31-33 hours per week on average. This time gives you space to read widely and develop your thoughts on specialised topics.
We offer an extensive programme of research seminars and events which are an invaluable way to engage with different aspects of your subject, along with discussing module themes with your peers, and the staff weekly office hours.
You'll be part of the vibrant interdisciplinary Humanities Research Centre and as a History of Art student you'll also have access to extensive resources.
You will be based in the Department of History of Art on Campus West, with most of your contact hours being in Vanbrugh College.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll submit a 4,000 word essay per option module. For the Research Skills in History of Art module, you'll produce a dissertation portfolio as your assessment. You'll also complete a dissertation.
We offer amazing partnerships and placements with numerous museums and galleries that will help you in your future career. We work with the National Gallery, Tate, the V&A, and York Museums Trust. We have excellent relationships with regional museums, galleries and country houses— including the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Castle Howard, the Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and the Henry Moore Institute. The course prepares you for higher research degrees and a range of possible careers. Read about some of our alumni and where their degree has taken them.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent |
| Other qualifications and experience | We will consider applications from mature students or applicants without formal academic qualifications if you have substantial related experience. We may ask you for an interview in this instance. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit an example of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.
Lively, full of culture and beautiful, York is regularly voted one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.
Find out more about York. Chat to staff and students and take the tour, on campus or online.
