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History of Art

Topic description and stories.

Kettle's Yard is back

As Kettle's Yard opens its doors following a two-year, multi-million pound redevelopment and transformation of its gallery spaces, the work of 38...

Circling the heavens: visual culture and the bird of paradise

As voyages of exploration opened up the world from the 15th century onwards, European culture delighted in encounters with exotic items. Dr José...

There but not there: the meaning of absence

A lecture tomorrow by Professor Hung Wu is a rare opportunity to hear an eminent Chinese scholar talk about the ways in which the country’s artists...

The carriers of memory

Almost 100 years after the outbreak of World War I, public opinion about war in many of the countries that fought appears to have shifted completely...

Vermeer’s Women: Secrets and Silence

The Lacemaker, one of the great masterpieces of the 17th-century Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer, is to go on display in the UK for the first time as...

New degree to help protect historic buildings

As English Heritage launches its first ever National Heritage Protection Plan, a new part-time Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge is set...

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PhD in Classics

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The PhD is a three-year research degree, examined by a dissertation of up to 80,000 words. The criteria for obtaining the degree are that the dissertation represents a 'substantial contribution to knowledge', and that it also represents a realistic amount of work for three years' study.

Doctoral students spend most of their time working independently, researching their own specialist topic, but there is a wide variety of postgraduate seminars offered in the various subject areas (Greek and Latin Literature, Philosophy, History, Art and Archaeology, Philology and Linguistics, and Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Ancient World), and you will be encouraged to participate actively in one or more each term. If you need to acquire any further specialist skills, you will be entitled to attend any lectures you wish from the University's extensive undergraduate lecturing programme, in Classics or any other discipline; and the Faculty currently offers training in palaeography, epigraphy, Linear B and numismatics, and classes in a range of ancient and modern languages.

When you have submitted your thesis, it will be examined jointly by two experts in the relevant area, one of them from Cambridge, one from another university, and discussed orally at a viva with the two examiners. Many successful theses go on to become the basis for significant publications.

  Course requirements

First Degree: Most applicants will be taking, or have completed, a Master’s level degree course (MPhil, MSt, MA, or other research preparation programme), and we are looking for a first class/Distinction level of work on that course from a British university, or the equivalent from an overseas university.

Your qualification need not be entirely in classical subjects, but we normally expect some evidence of first-class/Distinction level attainments in areas directly relevant to your proposed research.

English Language: If English is not your first language, you will also need to satisfy the Faculty’s English language condition (as follows) prior to your admission being confirmed. You must achieve the minimum requirements in the same sitting, and no more than two years before the start of your course.  

• IELTS: Overall band score of 7.5, with not less than 7.0 in individual elements.
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced):  A grade (plus an assessment by our language centre)
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency):  A or B grade
• TOEFL: Overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in individual elements.

This condition is waived if you have:-

• completed a course equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree;
• running for three years or more;
• at an English-language institution;
• in the last two years.

For full information, please refer to the University website .

Greek & Latin: The majority of research projects, with the exception of those which are strictly archaeological in character, require a high level of Latin and/or Greek. The skills which you need to strengthen during your first year can include these languages, but it is unlikely that these could reach the high linguistic standards required for the PhD if you did not arrive here with at least a good grounding in them.

Latest news

Celebrating ECR successes

The Faculty of Classics would like to congratulate our Early Career Researchers who have secured new positions elsewhere in the UK and abroad. We thank Il-Kweon, Michael, Tom, Ludo, and Lea for all their contributions to our Classics community and wish them the very best for the next steps in their careers. Dr Il-Kweon Sir...

Exhibition awarded 5 stars

23 July 2024

The new exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Paris 1924: Sport, Art, and the Body , Co-curated by Classics' Carrie Vout has been awarded 5 stars by the Guardian. "Timed to coincide with next week’s return of the Olympics to the French capital – is a revelation from first to last. You soon begin to realise that those Games...

Dr Richard Duncan-Jones FBA 1937-2024

19 May 2024

The Faculty is saddened by news of the death of Dr Richard Duncan-Jones FBA FSA. He had been a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College since 1963 where he was a college lecture in Classics and Director of Studies for many years.

New appointment in Latin literature

15 May 2024

The Faculty is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Elena Giusti as a new Assistant Professor of Latin literature. She will join the Faculty in the new academic year. Elena will be joining from the University of Warwick, where she is currently Associate Professor of Latin . She works broadly on Roman literature and...

View all news

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PhD in History of Art

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days ?

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Course info

Entry requirements, tuition fees, latest reviews.

Since the Department of History of Art's foundation in 1970, we have established ourselves as one of the world’s leading centres for advanced research in the field. We aim to deliver a rigorous, stimulating education in the History of Art and Architecture, with a strong emphasis on the study of works of art and architecture at first-hand. We are proud of our team of staff and students, whose impressive performance is critical to sustaining and enhancing the national and international reputation created by our distinguished alumni.

Cambridge itself is, from an art historical point of view, a stunning city in which to live and work. We make full use of Cambridge’s unique holdings of art and architecture, including the Fitzwilliam Museum (on our doorstep), Kettle’s Yard and the University Library, as well as the buildings and collections of the Colleges. The Hamilton Kerr Institute at Whittlesford, a department of the Fitzwilliam Museum, is dedicated to the conservation of easel paintings and also contributes to our teaching and research.

A doctoral degree at the Department of History of Art offers the opportunity for independent research under the supervision of an expert departmental member of staff. The Department of History of Art has the expertise and welcomes candidates in many areas including medieval, Renaissance and early modern, eighteenth and nineteenth century, and modern art and architecture, as well as topics involving critical theory and gender.

As well as the research and skills training programme offered by the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art, candidates have the opportunity to attend suitable courses in associated skills, such as modern languages, palaeography, the use of bibliographic and other databases, and computer skills.

By the end of the programme, candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience and knowledge to undertake post-doctoral work (research and/or teaching) or another related profession outside the academy.

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Module Options

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Pass). They need a first-class or II.i honours (at least 67 per cent/3.6/4.0 GPA or equivalent) undergraduate bachelor's degree as well as a master's degree (at least 70 per cent or equivalent) in History of Art or a closely related discipline.

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£9,858 per year

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University Composition Fee: £9,858; Maintenance: £18,625.

£29,826 per year

Students from EU

University Composition Fee: £29,826; Maintenance: £18,625.

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PhD in History

The PhD is taught by individual supervision .

There are lots of opportunities on offer: you can gain instruction in specialist disciplines, such as palaeography, languages, and computing; you can undertake training in professional skills appropriate for historians; you will be able to attend research seminars and workshops, and lots more. There is also now training available in transferable skills, such as communication, self-awareness and team-building. Although you will be focusing on your own research for most of your time, we want to help you to become a well-rounded and successful PhD candidate.

• 3-4 years full-time
• 5-7 years part-time

If you are interested in part-time study, please visit our Part-Time PhD in History page for more information.

At a glance

Students will research and write a doctoral thesis of up to 80,000 words, representing an original contribution to knowledge.

They will be supported throughout the course by a Supervisor, an experienced Cambridge academic who will provide one-to-one advice and feedback. At the same time, the student will take part in Cambridge's vibrant research community, attending seminars, postgraduate workshops and a broad spectrum of skills training.

Students are formally assessed twice. At the end of their third term, they submit a Progress Essay (up to 10,000) words and meet formally with their Supervisor and Advisor (another academic who provides additional guidance). This meeting determines whether the student has made sufficient progress to complete their thesis on schedule.

At the end of their research project, students submit their completed thesis and take part in an oral ('viva voce') examination on its contents. The two examiners will be leading academics in the field. 

Students can expect to receive:  

• Regular oral feedback from their supervisor, as well as termly online feedback reports;
• Oral feedback from peers during postgraduate workshops and seminars;
• Access to regular training sessions and relevant undergraduate lectures to develop key skills;
• Support for fieldwork research;
• Opportunities to teach and supervise undergraduate students in their field of research.

If you have any questions, drop us a line on  [email protected]

What are we looking for?

We see the primary purpose of the PhD being the preparation and presentation of a substantial piece of original research. From the very beginning of the PhD course, the student focuses on the writing of the doctoral dissertation. History is a broad subject which covers many areas, and we are always very excited to see the sheer range of research proposals submitted. When looking at this, we consider:

• Whether it represents a significant contribution to learning through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of a new theory or the revision of older views;
• Whether it takes due account of previously published work on the subject and you are therefore well-read;
• Whether the thesis is clearly and concisely written, without exceeding the maximum limit of 80,000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography).

If a research proposal is likely to take significantly longer than three years to complete, we don’t tend to accept it. However, if your topic seems feasible within the time-frame then we will be very interested!

Are there any course requirements?

Please also see the ‘ Requirements ’ tab in the prospectus on Graduate Admissions page:

For full-time PhD candidates, we require that you pursue supervised research in residence in Cambridge for nine consecutive terms (three calendar years). ‘In residence’ means living within a distance of 10 miles from the centre of Cambridge.

The dissertation must be submitted by the end of the twelfth term, earlier if possible.

In terms of applicant requirements, you can see our language and academic requirements on the link provided above. Otherwise, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply – we are a multicultural university and in your life as a PhD candidate, you will meet people from all over the world! The PhD is intellectually demanding so consider whether you have the self-motivation to pursue research at a high level of scholarship, and whether you have the enthusiasm to keep going when the going gets tough. You will not be alone in your studies, though – there are plenty of people here to help, including supervisors, administrators, college tutors, as well as many others.

PhD students are expected to begin their studies at the start of the term they choose to enter, usually October, January, or April. You will be in residence continuously throughout the year, apart from short breaks for research.

As the full-time PhD requires full-time study, we ask that students do not take any outside employment (even part-time employment).

How is the PhD examined?

Once you have submitted a full dissertation, it is examined by two examiners. These examiners are appointed by the Degree Committee after consultation with your supervisor. You will then have a viva voce – an oral examination – on the dissertation and the general field of your knowledge into which your dissertation falls. The University of Cambridge does not offer any qualifying grades or credits, so you will be awarded a pass or a fail – we hope it’s the former!

The below outlines, for full-time candidates, the registration and submission dates:

Minimum number of terms of research needed before submitting

• Qualification: PhD
• Term (1 being your first term): 9

Minimum number of terms of research which need to be in Cambridge (in order to qualify for the PhD)

• Term (1 being your first term): 3

End of term by which your draft dissertation must be submitted to your supervisor

• Term (1 being your first term): 10

Absolute final submission deadline

• Term (1 being your first term): 12

Maximum number of terms for which an exemption or allowance will be made following a one-year course

For full-time PhD students their first year is a probationary year, at the end of which they undertake something called the RAE. This is the Registration Assessment Exercise, which is held between the student, the supervisor, and an Advisor (we appoint them for you). You submit work and then have a meeting to discuss what you have submitted, in order to check that you are on track and help you continue to frame your research.  This exercise should take place in the third term of study. Once registered by the Faculty Degree Committee, you are a registered PhD student; up until this point, you are a NOTAF, which means ‘not at first registered’.

The piece of work you submit for the RAE is likely to be surveying your field of research, summarising progress so far, proposing a research strategy and timetable, and indicating the original contribution to knowledge that is intended.

Although it might sound like a scary process, this is your chance to shine and show off how much work you have done during your first year and how your research is coming along! It’s also a chance to discuss any problems, issues, or worries you may have with your research in a formal setting, though you will have ample opportunity to do this with your supervisor before the third term RAE.

Often, you will be starting the PhD course with a background of suitable research training which you undertook before admission, e.g. your Masters or MPhil degree. While you are at Cambridge, you can broaden this as much as you wish with the number of different opportunities available.

You may find it useful to consult our current Postgraduate Training pages

There are also plenty of other options within the University, for example other Departments and Faculties, as well as University-wide seminars, workshops, and conferences held throughout the year. There is a fantastic Language Centre as well as a specialist training system .This is before we’ve even started on what may be offered through your particular college!

Your supervisor is an excellent resource to use in terms of asking what is available and if there is anything which would suit you. They will be happy to help.

We actively encourage all of our full-time students to complete their PhDs within three years.

Students, or their supervisor, may request that an assessment exercise take place in the third year in order to check progress towards submission. You submit a one- to two-page synopsis of your dissertation together with a timetable for completion. You then have a formal discussion with your supervisor, and sometimes the Advisor.

The major government grant-giving bodies expect all our full-time students to complete within a maximum of four years. Therefore, in order to secure future funding for its students, the Degree Committee monitors its submissions rates closely. This is why we place emphasis on your research proposal being something feasible for completion in three years, and also why we have the first and third year assessments in order to help you as much as we can.

The fourth year isn’t guaranteed, so do try to plan your topic within a three-year time span. By that time, we hope you’ll be eager to get started on your career after the training you will have received at Cambridge!

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History of Art, BA (Hons)

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History of Art at Cambridge University

History of Art covers a wide spectrum of art and architecture from all over the world, from antiquity to modern and contemporary periods.  

You will gain a deep understanding of art and architecture, and develop visual literacy and awareness, as well as critical and analytical skills.  

History of Art at Cambridge

History of Art at Cambridge explores art and architecture from around the globe and many different time periods. You'll have the opportunity to study ancient, medieval, Renaissance and modern art.  

We believe that there’s no substitute for looking at the real objects. Because of this, you’ll have regular classes and lectures in museums. You'll also take trips to different exhibitions and notable buildings.

Teaching and facilities

You’ll be taught by experts in their fields, including: 

• curators from the University museums 
• scholars in the department 

Facilities 

You will have access to a wide range of museums and collections, including: 

• the Fitzwilliam Museum and its conservation departments 
• Kettle’s Yard, which has recently had its galleries expanded 
• architecture and art collections of the Colleges, like The Women's Art Collection at Murray Edwards College and the Heong Gallery at Downing College

Seminars often take place on-site in museum galleries.

The department’s comprehensive library contains a large collection of books that you can use. You will also have access to the Fitzwilliam Museum’s reference library. 

You'll also have access to our impressive Cambridge University Library, one of the world’s oldest university libraries.

Course costs

When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).

Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students – you can find details of these costs here .

Other additional course costs for History of Art are detailed below. If you have any queries about these costs, please contact the Department.

Trips and site visits

• A range of compulsory trips and site visits within the UK are offered on core and option papers. Examples include visits to London to the National Gallery, V&A, Tate, and others. Transport is either provided (e.g. via hired bus) or else students travel by public transport and are reimbursed by the Department.

Your future career 

As a History of Art graduate, you will be well-equipped for many different careers.  

Some of our recent graduates have gone into careers in: 

• museums and galleries 
• the care and conservation of monuments and heritage management 
• fine art dealing 
• publishing 
• advertising 
• written and broadcast journalism and teaching 

Some prominent graduates of History of Art at Cambridge include: 

• artists Sir Antony Gormley and Marc Quinn 
• model and actress Lily Cole 
• television presenter Claudia Winkleman 
• Hon James Stourton, former Chairman of Sotheby’s UK 
• Frances Morris, Director of Tate Modern 
• Sir Charles Saumarez Smith, former Director of the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery and former Chief Executive of the Royal Academy 
• Sir Nicholas Serota, former Director of the Tate Gallery and now Chairman of the Arts Council.

Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars, small-group supervisions and course trips to museums, exhibitions and notable buildings.  

In your first year, you’ll usually have up to 6 hours of departmental teaching, on-site visits and one supervision each week.

The way you’re assessed will vary based on the papers you study. Typically you will be assessed through a mixture of coursework assignments, written examinations and visual analysis tests. You will also have a dissertation in your first and third years. 

You won't usually be able to resit any of your exams.

Year 1 (Part I)  

Your first year will give you a broad introduction to the history, making and meaning of art and architecture. 

The first term covers ancient, medieval, Renaissance and Early Modern art and architecture. 

The second term focuses on art and architecture from the 18th century onward through to modern and contemporary art. 

Examples of topics include: 

• contemporary installation and performance art 
• Chinese and Islamic ceramics 
• medieval manuscript illumination 
• Modernity and Coloniality 
• current exhibitions in Cambridge (like 'Black Atlantic' at the Fitzwilliam Museum) 

Most of the teaching is grouped into the 'Making of Art' and 'Meaning of Art and Architecture' courses. 

The 'Making of Art' addresses aspects of how works of art and buildings are made and the wider significance of materials and techniques. 

The 'Meaning of Art and Architecture' explores the cultural, religious and political contexts of art and architecture. 

You will take 2 final exam papers for each of these courses at the end of the first year, one essay paper and one visual analysis paper. 

In addition, you will follow the core 'Objects of Art History' course which focuses on Cambridge's art collections and architectural heritage. This course is taught through site-visits and assessed throughout the year via a coursework portfolio of a sample catalogue entry, exhibition review, and display proposal. 

You’ll also complete a 5,000 word dissertation on your choice of a work of art or architecture in or around Cambridge. 

Year 2 (Part IIA) 

You take one compulsory paper:  

• Approaches to the History of Art and Architecture. This covers the history of the discipline and its critical methodologies from antiquity to the present day. The paper is assessed by a single final exam at the end of the year. 

You’ll also take 4 option papers (2 per term) drawn from a range of options. These papers focus on a particular artist, subject, or period and relate to the specialisms of faculty in the department. They are assessed by coursework at the end of the term in which they are taught. 

Options offered in recent years have included: 

• Encountering Jerusalem: Culture and Crusade between East and West, c.1050-1400 
• Rubens: Spirit, Ingenuity, Genius 
• British Architecture in the Age of Enlightenment, Industry, and Reform 
• The Chinese Tradition: Chinese Art and Visual Culture 
• Contemporary Latin-American Art 

Year 3 (Part IIB) 

You take one compulsory paper: 

• The Display of Art. This compulsory paper explores the history and theories of display and collecting. The paper is assessed by an exam at the end of the year. 

You’ll also take 4 option papers (2 per term) from a range of options. These papers focus on a particular artist, subject, or period and relate to the specialisms of faculty in the department. They are assessed by coursework at the end of the terms in which they are taught. 

Options offered in recent years have included:  

• Florence 4D: Digital Art History and the Early Modern City 
• Paris 1715-1815: The Birth of the Modern Art World 
• Painting and Patronage in Imperial Russia 
• Representation and Recognition in Contemporary Art 
• Global Cinema: Histories and Theories 

You’ll also complete a 9,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice. 

For further information about this course and the papers you can take see the  Department of History of Art website.

Changing course

It’s really important to think carefully about which course you want to study before you apply. 

In rare cases, it may be possible to change course once you’ve joined the University. You will usually have to get agreement from your College and the relevant departments. It’s not guaranteed that your course change will be approved.

You might also have to:

• take part in an interview
• complete an admissions test
• produce some written work
• achieve a particular grade in your current studies
• do some catch-up work
• start your new course from the beginning 

For more information visit the Department website .

You can also apply to change to:

• Management Studies at the Judge Business School

You can't apply to this course until you're at Cambridge. You would usually apply when you have completed 1 year or more of your original Cambridge course.

You should contact your College’s Admissions Office if you’re thinking of changing your course. They will be able to give you advice and explain how changing courses works.

Minimum offer level

A level: A*AA IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level Other qualifications : Check which other qualifications we accept .

Subject requirements

While we don't ask for any specific subjects to apply to History of Art, and although Art & Design is accepted, Colleges normally require A*/7 in an essay-based subject or language.     

We’d also recommend certain subjects for a strong application:   

• History of Art   
• English (language or literature)  
• Languages (ancient or modern)     

You can find more information about the subjects our typical entrants have studied below. 

What History of Art students have studied

Most History of Art students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2018, 2019 and 2023) achieved at least A*A*A (75% of entrants).

Most had studied at least one of the subjects recommended above, with 77% taking History or History of Art.

Other common subjects:

• Art & Design (taken by 67% of entrants)
• Mathematics

This information shows some of the common subjects our applicants have studied. Although these are common subject combinations, this doesn't mean they're favoured. 

When you're choosing your post-16 subjects, it's most important to check whether any subjects are required for your course. You can also check our guidance on choosing your high school subjects for more information.

Admission assessment

There is no admission assessment for this course.

Submitted work

You won't usually be asked to submit examples of written work. You may be asked to do some reading prior to your interview, but if this is required the College will provide full details in your interview invitation.

Offers above the minimum requirement

The minimum offer level and subject requirements outline the minimum you'll usually need to achieve to get an offer from Cambridge.

In some cases, you'll get a higher or more challenging offer. Colleges set higher offer requirements for a range of reasons. If you'd like to find out more about why we do this, check the information about offers above the minimum requirement  on the entry requirements page.

Some Colleges usually make offers above the minimum offer level. Find out more on our qualifications page .

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant  College admissions office  if you have any queries.

Discover your department or faculty

• Visit the Department of History of Art website - The Department of History of Art website has more information about this course, facilities, people and research.

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• Find out how Colleges work - A College is where you’ll live, eat and socialise. It’s also where you’ll have teaching in a small group, known as supervisions.
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• Find out how to apply and how our admissions processes work - Our admissions process is slightly different to other universities. We’ve put together a handy guide to tell you everything you need to know about applying to study at Cambridge.
• Improve your application - Supercurricular activities are a great way to engage with your chosen subject outside of school or college.

Discover Uni data

Contextual information.

Discover Uni allows you to compare information about individual courses at different higher education institutions.  This can be a useful method of considering your options and what course may suit you best.

However, please note that superficially similar courses often have very different structures and objectives, and that the teaching, support and learning environment that best suits you can only be determined by identifying your own interests, needs, expectations and goals, and comparing them with detailed institution- and course-specific information.

We recommend that you look thoroughly at the course and University information contained on these webpages and consider coming to visit us on an Open Day , rather than relying solely on statistical comparison.

You may find the following notes helpful when considering information presented by Discover Uni.

• Discover Uni relies on superficially similar courses being coded in the same way. Whilst this works on one level, it may lead to some anomalies. For example, Music courses and Music Technology courses can have exactly the same code despite being very different programmes with quite distinct educational and career outcomes. Any course which combines several disciplines (as many courses at Cambridge do) tends to be compared nationally with courses in just one of those disciplines, and in such cases the Discover Uni comparison may not be an accurate or fair reflection of the reality of either. For example, you may find that when considering a degree which embraces a range of disciplines such as biology, physics, chemistry and geology (for instance, Natural Sciences at Cambridge), the comparison provided is with courses at other institutions that primarily focus on just one (or a smaller combination) of those subjects.You may therefore find that not all elements of the Cambridge degree are represented in the Discover Uni data.
• Some contextual data linked from other surveys, such as the National Student Survey (NSS) or the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE), may not be available or may be aggregated across several courses or several years due to small sample sizes.  When using the data to inform your course choice, it is important to ensure you understand how it has been processed prior to its presentation. Discover Uni offers some explanatory information about how the contextual data is collated, and how it may be used, which you can view here: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/about-our-data/ .
• Discover Uni draws on national data to provide average salaries and employment/continuation data.  Whilst starting salaries can be a useful measure, they do not give any sense of career trajectory or take account of the voluntary/low paid work that many graduates undertake initially in order to gain valuable experience necessary/advantageous for later career progression. Discover Uni is currently piloting use of the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to demonstrate possible career progression; it is important to note that this is experimental and its use may be modified as it embeds.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other important factors that are relevant to the choices that you are making, but we hope that this will be a useful starting point to help you delve deeper than the face value of the Discover Uni data.

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MSt in History of Art and Visual Culture

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This course is not open for online applications. If you would like to enquire about this course please do so using the 'Ask a question' button.

Our Master of Studies in History of Art and Visual Culture allows you to explore objects, theories and approaches thematically. You will be introduced to a wide range of visual media from Medieval to Contemporary.

By the end of this two-year course, you will have gained many transferable skills, including research, decision making, presenting, academic writing and the ability to communicate your topic to different audiences.

An integral part of your studies will be visiting college collections, libraries and museums in Cambridge when you attend the three residential modules in the city, where you will have the opportunity to hear from curators and experience objects up close.

Your first year of study is split into six taught modules, paired by theme with a focus on knowledge and practice, whilst the second year of study allows you to research and write your dissertation.

Applications for this course are now open, and will close on 2nd April 2024. You can apply using the Apply Now button.

Virtual Open Events

To watch the recording of the MSt History of Art and Visual Culture Information Session recording from our Master's Open Week 2023,  click here.

Programme Structure 

The MSt takes place over two years, running typically from October of the first year to September of the second. The taught elements of the syllabus, Year 1, are offered in three intensive study blocks, each of which is examined by an assessed essay to be submitted at the end of each term.

Year 1: During the first year, all students will be required to undertake six core modules, 2 per term, paired in numerical order:

• Modules 1, 3 & 5: Thematic approaches to understanding art

A number of themes will allow students to explore the history of art and visual culture, including theoretical approaches and useful concepts. Themes may include, amongst others: class and social status; race and gender; local / global; the relationship of medium to style; the historical valuation of fine art versus decorative arts; art and ecology. Students will be introduced to a range of art and approaches to the history of art and visual culture from the earliest examples to the present day.

The themes for 2024-25 are:

Term I: Thinking across Media

The idea of intermediality - or thinking across media - is currently the focus of much scholarly attention. Term 1 (modules 1 and 2) will introduce you to a variety of intermedial approaches to Art History, focusing mainly on the medieval and early modern periods in the West (c.1100-c.1700), whilst raising theoretical and historiographical issues relevant to the study of art up until today across a range of geographical locations. It will encourage you to think about the interactions of different media at the time of works’ making, the different visual influences on artists and how to question traditional hierarchies of medium that privilege ‘fine’ over ‘decorative’ arts.

Term 2: Art and Environment

With global ecosystems facing irreversible crisis, the need to envisage new approaches to the relationship between nature and culture is taking on increasing urgency. Term 2 (modules 3 and 4) asks how the history of art can be used to explore how societies have visualised and shaped both built and natural environments, and how changing environments have in turn impacted art’s history. Alongside this, we will ask how focusing on questions of environments and ecology affects the methods and sources of art history and visual culture. As such, this module explores new perspectives on fundamental topics, whether landscape painting, twentieth-century Land Art, or contemporary photography.

Term 3: Visual Cultures of Activism

Term 3 (modules 5 and 6) will explore the ways that artists and curators have redefined our conceptions of art and its role in society, focusing on the seismic shifts in the art world of the twentieth century to show how art became increasingly self-reflexive and activist. The global surrealist movement will be examined via a discussion of the works of artists from Europe, Africa and the Americas. We also discuss decoloniality through an analysis of the work of Diego Rivera and Violeta Parra. Finally, we reflect on the transversality of art and activism in the twenty-first century, focusing on feminist textile art. 

In 2024-25 the dates of the teaching blocks are:

Term 1: 8-11 October 2024

Term 2: 11-14 February 2025

Term 3: 29 April-2 May 2025

• Modules 2, 4 & 6: Research, Sources and Methods

These modules explore the different ways of researching the history of art and visual culture in practice, for example: close visual analysis and object handling; the digital humanities in visual culture; archival study in the arts; the intersections of literature, visual sources and material culture; museum display and interpretation within a heritage context.

Year 2:  Dissertation research (90 credits).

Three Day Schools taking place on 4 October 2025, 17 January 2026, 11 April 2026.

Aims of the Programme

By the end of the course students should have demonstrated:

• A deep and systematic understanding of history of art and visual culture and their interrelationships with other disciplines;
• An understanding of current theoretical and methodological approaches and how they affect the way that knowledge is interpreted;
• Conceptual understanding in order to evaluate critically current research in the discipline and to critique methodologies, where appropriate proposing new hypotheses;
• The extension and development of their visual analytical, evaluative and critical capacities;
• Originality in the application of their knowledge, having developed the ability to form independent judgements based on their close visual analysis and object study, reading, research and writing;
• A comprehensive understanding of techniques, knowledge and analysis applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship (in this case the dissertation).

Skills and other attributes

By the end of the course, the students should have acquired or consolidated:

• The academic, technical and ancillary skills necessary to participate in critical debates within the field of history of art and visual culture, dealing with complex issues both systematically and creatively and making sound judgments in the absence of complete data;
• Self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and the ability to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level;
• Transferable skills, including the ability to take responsibility for their own learning, decision-making in unpredictable situations, making oral and written presentations to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, planning and producing written assignments, working independently, and, where they have chosen to do so, using different types of technology;
• The ability to formulate a research topic, create a research design, and communicate their ideas and research conclusions in a substantial piece of postgraduate level research.

Student Support:

All students are members of a College and the Institute of Continuing Education. As a member of the University of Cambridge students have access to the face-to-face and online academic and pastoral support functions of the Collegiate University. Students have access to additional learning support via the Institute of Continuing Education, along with comprehensive details of the programme, contact details and academic and general advice. The course VLE holds generic and subject specific learning resources.

Expected academic standard

Applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2.1 honours degree or overseas equivalent. 

Applicants would have usually studied at undergraduate level in a relevant discipline in the arts, humanities or social sciences.

If your degree is not from the UK, please check  International Qualifications  to find the equivalent in your country.

We are able to consider 'non-standard' applicants who do not meet the standard academic criterion. In such cases, you will need to produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience, and your suitability for the course.

The structure of the programme allows international students to attend on a Short-term Study Visa, and those in full-time employment, whether in the UK or abroad, to work and study at the same time.

Language requirement

If English isn’t your first language, you will be required to submit evidence that you meet the University’s English language requirement before you are admitted.

Please follow this link for full details of the University Language Requirement:

https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/competence-english

Please note that there are no exceptions to this requirement and, if you are offered a place on the course, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement.

Language requirements for this course are as per the table below:

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
• C1 Advanced *: Grade  A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element), plus a Language Centre assessment.
• C2 Proficiency †: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200, with no element lower than 185)

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

†Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Teaching and learning

The MSt in History of Art and Visual Culture is structured around three residential modules that students must attend. 

A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources, to build a virtual community of practice. Students are expected to have sufficient IT skills to engage with the VLE and all assignments are uploaded to the VLE for assessment.

In order to proceed to Year 2, students must complete the three assessed essay assignments satisfactorily, each between 4,000-5,000 words. The Year 1 essays constitute 50% of the overall award mark, and the dissertation constitutes 50% of the overall award mark. Students must attain an average of 60% overall across the three essay assignments.

Students achieving a minimum of the pass mark for Year 1 but not completing the Year 2 requirements may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in History of Art and Visual Culture.

The requirement for the award of the MSt degree is satisfactory completion of a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation, constituting 50% of the overall mark and which is read by two examiners, who report independently. The dissertation must reach the pass mark of 60%. The overall pass mark for the award of the MSt degree is 60%. The examiners are required to assure themselves that the dissertation is clearly written, that it takes account of previously published work on the subject, and that it represents a contribution to scholarship.

To complete Year 1 successfully students must pass at least two of the three assessed essays and reach an average pass mark of 60% across the three. Students who achieve this can progress to Year 2, where they research and write a dissertation on a topic of their choice, subject to the approval of the Degree Committee of the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art. Dissertation work is individually supervised and is assessed following the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art’s common examinations handbook (except where a case is made for alignment with common MSt protocols). The dissertation must reach the pass mark of 60%. 

Teaching Methods 

The learning outcomes of the programme are achieved through:.

• Personal study of appropriate material guided by reading lists and other resources;
• Residential study blocks/modules including lectures, seminars, classes at which students express their own ideas and present accounts of their work;
• Full and appropriate use of the Institute’s virtual learning environment (VLE);
• One-to-one supervisions (usually five in total) with a designated expert supervisor to include detailed feedback on students’ work and progress.

Assessment Methods

In Year 1 the taught elements of the course are examined through three compulsory essay assignments, one per term of between 4,000-5,000 words each, totalling a maximum of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. All essays will be independently marked by two assessors. Each written assignment in Year 1 will be submitted at the end of term (Michaelmas, Lent, Easter).

In Year 2 of the course examination will be by a supervised dissertation (of between 12,000 and 15,000 words). A viva voce examination may be required by the examiners and, subject to the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art’s common examinations handbook, will be required in the case of a borderline fail. Dissertations are due in term 3 of Year 2.

Students will receive a range of formative assessments during the course.

The course fee for 2024-26, which includes College membership, is £7,050 per annum for Home students and £12,360 per annum for EU/Overseas students. The combined graduate fee includes College membership. The fee can be paid across the two years of the course, in eight equal instalments.

Students taking this course may apply to the following Colleges: Wolfson , Murray Edwards  (female only) or Lucy Cavendish . There may be small additional fees payable to a College for specific services provided; for further information please contact the College directly.

You will be expected to cover the application fee (£50 online) and any costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence during residential sessions in Cambridge.  Whilst we do not anticipate entrance fees being charged for museum visits, it is possible that small costs may be incurred for specialist exhibitions. 

College accommodation might be available to book for the residentials, but this will vary from College to College. Please check with your College first.

Students are expected to make their own transport arrangements to and from Madingley Hall and College matriculation events. There will be a number of site visits in central Cambridge during the taught residential blocks. Transport one way from Madingley Hall to Cambridge will be provided for these visits. 

We do not currently have any scholarships or bursaries for this course. We strongly recommend that you explore any potential funding well in advance of the application deadline. 

Sources of government funding and financial support  (including Professional and Career Development Loans)

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and a contribution towards living costs, see　 https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

Applications will be accepted  until 2nd April 2024.

All short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews will take place using video conferencing tools, such as Zoom. 

Interview dates: Wednesday 24 - Friday 26 April 2024.

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University of cambridge: history of art and architecture.

The MPhil in History of Art & Architecture is taught through a combination of research seminars, skills training, and supervised the individual study.

You will attend two seminar-based courses on methodology and salient critical and theoretical issues, one core course in the Michaelmas (Autumn) term and at least one course in Lent (Spring) term, depending on the length and availability of Lent courses on offer in any given year. In both terms, students are expected to engage with preparatory readings and prepare presentations and discussions through independent reading and study. The final Easter (Summer) term is devoted to researching and writing the dissertation.

In addition, you will attend the Department's weekly research seminars, the Department's fortnightly medieval seminars and other lectures and seminars in the Department and elsewhere in the University. You will also take training sessions on research skills.

You will meet your supervisor frequently, about once a fortnight in term time, as you prepare your work for examination.

You will submit two essays of 6,000 words at the end of the Michaelmas and Lent term, making up 40% of your mark. These need not relate to the themes of the taught courses but may be directed towards your personal research interests. The other 60% will come from your 15,000-word dissertation at the end of the Easter term.

Please note that this is a research degree with taught methodological elements, not a conversion course for students whose first degree lies in another subject.

The educational aims of the programme are as follows:

Provide teaching and learning to postgraduate students in the history of art and architecture in a range of fields linked to the research interests of the staff Provide high-calibre students with training in relevant research skills and to offer excellent specialist supervision of their individual research in these fields Provide a stimulating environment in which students can reach their full intellectual potential Help students develop a wide range of intellectual abilities and skills, which will enable them to make a significant contribution in their chosen careers and walks of life, including academic teaching and research

On completion of the MPhil, students should have:

made the transition in learning style and pace from undergraduate to postgraduate level; acquired the necessary research skills in the use of bibliographical, archival and museum resources as relevant to their field of study; gained practice in the use of the languages and archival skills relevant to their chosen research area; gained confidence in the choice and use of different methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives; refined their critical skills in the examination, recording and analysis of works of art and/or architecture, especially at first hand (through travel and fieldwork if appropriate); gained experience in an oral and written presentation, and in a sustained piece of research in the form of a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words; and acquired the proficiency needed to present in writing a coherent and sustained piece of academic research.

Master of Philosophy - MPhil

Full-time, 9 months starts oct 2024.

Full-Time, 9 months started Oct 2023

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Undergraduate study

Some options for obtaining funding are given on this page. See Cambridge Funding Search for details of other awards that are available.

We recommend that you apply for all funding for which you are eligible. Do not wait for the outcome of one application before submitting other applications.

Please note that the Department has no general funds to help students meet the costs of fees and maintenance.

On this page:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council

Cambridge Trust

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Harding distinguished postgraduate scholarships, rausing, williamson and lipton awards, student loans, other sources of funding, arts and humanities research council: open-oxford-cambridge doctoral training partnership.

The Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Training Partnership offers AHRC-funded studentships for PhD study in the arts and humanities. The consortium is supported by three strategic partners: the BBC World Service, the National Trust and BT.

The studentships are open to applicants from any country, but the majority of studentships are reserved for UK students.

To apply for an AHRC studentship you must submit your PhD application by 3 December 2024 . Make sure you complete the AHRC section in the Applicant Portal. You must also complete the OOC DTP application form and upload it as an additional document in the Applicant Portal.

Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Training Partnership

Students who have already started their PhD may also be eligible to apply for an AHRC studentship. See the website for details.

The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust offers scholarships for MPhil and PhD study. These include Cambridge International Scholarships (for overseas PhD students), Vice-Chancellor's Awards (for PhD students from the UK and Ireland) and Cambridge Masters Studentships (for MPhil students).

To apply for Cambridge Trust funding you must complete the funding application section of the Applicant Portal. Some scholarships offered by the Cambridge Trust have their own additional application process: see the Trust's website for details.

You must submit your MPhil or PhD application by 3 December 2024 to be eligible for Cambridge Trust funding.

Some of the Colleges offer postgraduate funding. See Cambridge Funding Search or each College's website to find out what is available and how to apply.

The Gates Cambridge Trust offers scholarships for MPhil and PhD study. They are open to applicants from any country other than the UK.

To apply, complete the funding application section of the Applicant Portal, including a 500-word personal statement.

You must also have a Gates Cambridge reference, which is in addition to your two academic references. It is important to ensure that your Gates Cambridge referee is fully briefed about the scholarship and its selection criteria so they can write the most appropriate reference for you.

To be eligible for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must submit your MPhil or PhD application by the correct deadline:

• 16 October 2024 is the deadline for US citizens normally resident in the USA.
• 3 December 2024 is the deadline for citizens of all other countries (except the UK) and US citizens normally resident outside the USA. This includes US citizens who are current MPhil students applying to continue to the PhD.

Gates Cambridge

The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme offers fully-funded scholarships for PhD study.

To apply, complete the Harding section of the Applicant Portal and submit your PhD application by 3 December 2024 .

Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme

The Department of History and Philosophy of Science will automatically consider all applicants for postgraduate study in HPS for trust fund awards. Assessment will be based on information provided in the Applicant Portal. The number of awards made in any year will be conditional on previous commitments and income generated by the fund. Initial offers of funding will be made in March each year, and awards will continue to be allocated until the application deadline has been reached, or all the available funding has been committed.

UK Government student loans are available for master's and doctoral students. There are also student loan schemes for students from the United States and Canada.

How to apply for a student loan

British Society for the Philosophy of Science

The British Society for the Philosophy of Science offers one PhD scholarship each year.

British Society for the History of Science

The British Society for the History of Science offers up to three bursaries each year to support students taking a master's degree.

Cambridge Philosophical Society

The Cambridge Philosophical Society awards research studentships, either to provide for the continuation of an exceptionally promising piece of research beyond the usual standard of the PhD, or to allow extra time for the completion of a PhD thesis which has been delayed by circumstances outside the applicant's control. Applicants must be fellows of the Society of at least one year's standing.

Institute of Medical Ethics

The Institute of Medical Ethics offers scholarships to support UK medical undergraduates who wish to undertake an intercalated degree – such as an MPhil – that has medical ethics as a substantial component.

Royal Historical Society

The Royal Historical Society offers a number of research grants for those undertaking postgraduate research.

PhD Completion Grants

The Degree Committee of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science will consider applications for PhD completion grants of up to £2,500 from PhD students registered in the Department. Students are eligible for this funding in their fourth year only if they have applied for all other possibilities for funding and are in urgent need of funds for subsistence. They must provide a letter of application that includes a PhD submission plan with an outline of the thesis, a description of what has been completed so far, and estimated completion date. The application should also include a letter of support from the PhD supervisor. This funding only be applied for once. If students have not already applied for it in their fourth year, they can apply in their fifth year. 

John Forrester and Lisa Appignanesi Travel and Research Expenses Fund

Postgraduate students in the Department can apply for travel or research expenses grants of up to £150 a year to help with the cost of conducting research on their dissertation. These travel grants are primarily aimed at PhD students but are sometimes available to support MPhil students. Please send an email to the Department Administrator (administrator @ hps.cam.ac.uk) – in advance of any financial commitment being made – to ask for permission to use these funds. Once you have received confirmation you can claim reimbursement by submitting an expenses claim form with receipts. Funding for research expenses and/or travel is sometimes available through Colleges, so students should check with their College before applying for this funding.

Conference Travel Grants

Postgraduate students in the Department can apply for up to £150 a year to help with the cost of travel to conferences where they are giving a paper (not for attendance only). These travel grants are primarily aimed at PhD students but are sometimes available to support MPhil students. Please send an email to the Department Administrator (administrator @ hps.cam.ac.uk) in advance of the conference to ask for permission to use these funds. Once you have received confirmation you can claim reimbursement by submitting an expenses claim form with receipts. Funding for conferences is sometimes available through Colleges, so students should check with their College before drawing on this funding.

Students experiencing hardship should consult their College tutor for advice about sources of funding for which they may be eligible. In addition, the Student Registry administers research awards for PhD students who experience hardship as a result of unforeseen changes in their financial circumstances.

Student Registry: Hardship funding for postgraduate students

Managers of the Department's Williamson, Rausing and Lipton Trust Funds are willing to consider applications out of cycle from genuine hardship cases, as long as the applicant can demonstrate that they have approached all other available sources.

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Main image: Foraminifera slide from Charles Elcock microscope slide collection, 1872–1910. Foraminifera are single-celled aquatic microorganisms with protective shells, here arranged and mounted according to type. (Wh.6601) Image credit: Whipple Museum of the History of Science, University of Cambridge

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Course closed:

History of Art and Architecture is no longer accepting new applications.

The MPhil in History of Art & Architecture is taught through a combination of research seminars, skills training and supervised individual study.

The educational aims of the programme are as follows:

To provide teaching and learning to postgraduate students in the history of art and architecture in a range of fields linked to the research interests of the staff.

To provide high-calibre students with training in relevant research skills and to offer excellent specialist supervision of their individual research in these fields.

To provide a stimulating research and learning environment in which students can reach their full intellectual potential.

To help students develop a wide range of intellectual abilities and skills which will enable them to make a significant contribution in their chosen careers and walks of life, including but not exclusive to academic teaching and research.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the MPhil, students should have:

Made the transition in learning style and pace from undergraduate to postgraduate level; acquired the necessary research skills in the use of bibliographical, archival and museum resources as relevant to their field of study; gained practice in the use of the languages and archival skills relevant to their chosen research area; gained confidence in the choice and use of different methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives; refined their critical skills in the examination, recording and analysis of works of art and/or architecture, especially at first hand (through travel and fieldwork if appropriate); gained experience in oral and written presentation skills, gained experience in crafting a sustained piece of research in the form of a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words; acquired the proficiency needed to write a coherent and sustained piece of academic research.

To continue to read for the PhD following the MPhil in History of Art & Architecture students must achieve an overall total score of at least 70%. Continuation is also subject to approval of the proposed research proposal, and the availability and willingness of an appropriate supervisor. There is no automatic continuation from MPhil to PhD study: candidates are required to formally apply to the PhD programme. 

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

9 months full-time, study mode : taught, master of philosophy, department of history of art, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

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MPhil in History of Art & Architecture

The MPhil in History of Art & Architecture is a nine month course which commences in October each year . It is intended as a self-contained programme of art-historical study, but also serves as a preparation for students intending to proceed to doctoral research. Please note that this is a research degree with taught methodological elements, not a conversion course for students whose first degree lies in another subject.

The educational aims of the programme are:

• to provide teaching and learning to post-graduate students in the history of art and architecture in a range of fields linked to the research interests of the staff;
• to provide high-calibre students with training in relevant research skills and to offer excellent specialist supervision of their individual research in these fields;
• to provide a stimulating environment in which students can reach their full intellectual potential;
• to help students develop a wide range of intellectual abilities and skills which will enable them to make a significant contribution in their chosen careers and walks of life, including academic teaching and research.

  On completion of the MPhil, students should have:

• made the transition in learning style and pace from undergraduate to postgraduate level;
• acquired the necessary research skills in the use of bibliographical, archival and museum resources as relevant to their field of study;
• gained practice in the use of the languages and archival skills relevant to their chosen research area;
• gained confidence in the choice and use of different methodological approaches and theoretical perspectives;
• refined their critical skills in the examination, recording and analysis of works of art and/or architecture, especially at first-hand (through travel and fieldwork if appropriate);
• gained experience in oral and written presentation, and in a sustained piece of research in the form of a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words;
• acquired the proficiency needed to present in writing a coherent and sustained piece of academic research.

The Department welcomes applications from graduates to undertake research towards an MPhil degree in many areas of history of art and architectural research, but is unable to offer places to candidates for whom no supervisor is available. Applicants are admitted who meet the course requirements and whose research interests match those of an available member of the academic staff. 

The MPhil is intended both as an independent qualification, and to prepare students for entry into a PhD programme.  Its satisfactory completion (at a minimum overall mark of 70%) is a condition of entry into the Department’s PhD degree for those without previous Masters-level qualifications in a relevant field.  Students intending to progress to the PhD must establish in good time that a supervisor is able to admit them.  Under Faculty policy, only UTO staff may supervise PhD dissertations.

Course Structure & Examination

The MPhil in History of Art & Architecture is a nine month course which commences in October each year. It is not available on a part-time basis. The course consists of research seminars, skills training, and supervised individual study. 

The syllabus is as follows:

• Attendance at two selected seminar courses in specialised areas of research, one in the Michaelmas (Autumn) Term and one in the Lent (Spring) Term;
• Attendance at the department's weekly graduate seminars;
• Attendance at classes in skills training and career development;
• Frequent individual consultation with the candidate's supervisor, who will guide the candidate's choice of topics and preparation of individual written work for essays, presentations and dissertation.

Teaching is delivered through the series of seminars referred to above during the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, focusing on salient critical and theoretical issues in the discipline, and organised into two parallel strands in each term. The seminars include presentations by MPhil students and other research students. Students may either take one option in each term, or follow the same course throughout. A taught course in visual culture offered at MPhil level by another university department (eg Classics, English, History, Modern and Medieval Languages) may be undertaken in addition to one of the two taught courses, with the approval of the student’s supervisor and the Degree Committee of the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art. This needs to be discussed and arranged at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to undertake independent reading and study, in order to consolidate what is under discussion in the seminars. In addition, they attend the Department’s weekly public graduate research seminars organised by the graduate students, the Department's fortnightly medieval seminars and other lectures and seminars in the Department and elsewhere in the University.

Students will have their supervisors confirmed at the beginning of their course in October. Students typically meet with their supervisor for 45 minutes on a fortnightly basis during term time. Students are expected to attend their two selected taught seminar courses and the Department's weekly seminars (approximately 12 per term). Students typically spend at least 30 hours per term for the first two terms attending mandatory seminars. 

Students are expected to undertake research training much of which is mandatory. These courses total approximately 6 hours in total. Mandatory courses can be supplemented with other courses provided by the University, School, Faculty, Department and College. Whilst attending lectures is optional, students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of lectures offered in the Department and other Faculties relevant to their research. 

Students will be provided with feedback via supervisions and their supervisor's termly reports which are available to them via their self-service pages on CamSIS.

Examination

Two essays of not more than 6000 words (to include footnotes) will be presented for examination. One will be submitted at the end of the Michaelmas and one at the end of the Lent terms respectively. These essays need not relate to the themes of the taught seminar courses, but may instead be directed towards the candidate’s personal research interests.    The essays represent 40% of the overall mark for the course

Dissertation   The dissertation of not more than 15,000 words represents 60% of the overall mark and is submitted at the end of May.    An oral examination (viva voce) on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which the work submitted falls may be required. Students must remain in or be prepared to return to Cambridge for such oral examinations, which will be held in June.   Students need to achieve at least 60% for their overall mark in order to pass the degree. If students wish to continue their research and apply to read for the PhD degree in the Department of History of Art, they need to achieve at least 70%.  They also need to identify and be admitted by a supervisor drawn from the established UTO staff of the Department or from its Emeritus staff (see University Teaching Officers and Emeritus staff under the 'People' section of this site.)

At a Glance

Course length and dates:

9 months full-time, October start. Not available on a part-time basis.

Examination:

Two essays and a dissertation not exceeding 15,000 words.

Academic requirement:

A first-class or high upper-second-class degree in the History of Art, or a closely related subject.

English language requirement:

See: Postgraduate Admissions Office  

Applications accepted from:

The preceding September.

Application Deadlines:   

The final deadline for applicants seeking funding is early January, for the exact date, please see the Postgraduate Admissions website. Even if you are not seeking funding, we strongly recommend that you submit your application by this date, as no applications will be accepted once this competitive and popular programme is full.

If places are still available on programmes beyond this deadline; self-funded applicants will continue to be considered until the final deadline in March, for the exact date please see the Postgraduate Admissions website No applications will be considered after this deadline.

Course Fees:

Information relating to the fee for this course is available from the Postgraduate Admissions Office   

If you are seeking funding for your course via one of the University’s main funding competitions, there are specific deadlines and eligibility criteria for each competition.  Please check  the Funding Section of the Postgraduate Admissions Office website for information and application deadlines.

The Secretary The Department of History of Art 1-5 Scroope Terrace Cambridge CB2 1PX Tel: 01223 332975 Fax: 01223 332960

Contact: [email protected] [email protected]

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