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PhD/MA by Research History of Art (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

By pursuing research at the History of Art by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning) programme from University of Birmingham, you will joining a vibrant and dynamic research community thanks to the Department’s broad range of expertise, from medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, to contemporary global art.

Quick Facts

  
Full-Time Duration: 1 year (MA by Research)
3 years (PhD)
Starting in: January, September
Tuition Fee: £20,820 full-time
£10,410 per year part-time (distance learning only)
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom / Online

By taking the History of Art by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning) programme from University of Birmingham, you will also benefit from access to original works, a dedicated fine art library and collection of resources in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, our acclaimed public gallery on-campus in which the Department is based.

We offer two postgraduate research-only programmes, whether you are looking to complete your academic studies with a PhD or pursue your research at Masters level. Find out more about what to expect from a PhD and MA by Research.

Programme Structure:

  • Our research in the Department covers a broad range of themes and topics, from medieval and renaissance art and architecture to contemporary global art. Our work is multifaceted, and engages with historical issues as well as theoretical questions.

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Why study this course?

  • World-leading research: The Department celebrated excellent results in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF): 33% of research at the University of Birmingham for ‘Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory’ was top 4* rated as ‘world-leading’. A further 49% was rated 3* ‘internationally excellent’.
  • Excellent facilities: The Department is based in The Barber Institute of Fine Arts. The Barber Institute’s building is owned and maintained by the University of Birmingham and features works from the 13th to the 20th century, including Old Master and Impressionist collections.
  • Postgraduate community: You will join a thriving postgraduate community. The Department hosts public lectures, research seminars and an annual symposia, in which postgraduate students are encouraged to actively participate. The Department is also home to the online Journal of Art Historiography. Each year, a postgraduate student is invited to become the editorial assistant and oversee two online editions of the journal.

Requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

  • For MRes and MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.
  • Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Learn more