MA in Art History and Visual Culture

The MA in Art History and Visual Culture programme prepares students for advanced research in the visual arts and an exciting creative career in the art world. This programme focuses on intercultural issues in art history and visual culture, and professional practice in the visual arts, which prepares graduate students for further education and careers in the arts and creative cultural industries.

The programme is taught at our Kensington campus in Central London where our students benefit from studying in close proximity to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Design Museum, Saatchi Gallery, and many more art galleries and institutions located right in the heart of London. The close proximity and ease of access to London’s world-class art galleries, museums, libraries and art institutions are vital to the foundation of this course.

This US-accredited Master’s programme is a full-time one year programme which brings together theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will equip students with the necessary skills to perform to the best of their abilities in their future employment. An optional internship provides students with hands-on experience in order to enhance their employability. Students can also opt to do this programme part-time over two years which gives them more flexibility to work and study.

London is arguably the hub of the art world. World class art and creative institutions, internationally positioned auction houses, dealers and critics, combine to make-up the unique London art scene. Richmond’s small classes are taught by Professors and engage with London as the intercultural art capital of the world, offering an unparalleled opportunity to students.

Top 5 reasons to study this programme:

• Attain a US accredited degree that increases your employment opportunities in the US and internationally.
• The ability to study in Central London which provides students with a unique intercultural location and engagement with contemporary art in London – a hub and a global scene that attracts the best creative talents in the arts and design industries from all over the world.
• Gain practical skills that will prepare you for future employment and allow you to excel in the workplace.
• Benefit from small classes (average 10–15 students), more contact time and full academic support from faculty engaged in leading research in the art industry.
• Gain a competitive advantage with an accredited optional internship and practical modules.

Entry requirements

A first degree in any discipline with a minimum classification of 2.2 (Lower Second Class Honours) or its international equivalent.

English Language Requirements (Non-Native English Speakers)

• IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing

• TOEFL (IBT) 87 overall with Listening 21, Reading 22, Writing 21, Speaking 23

• Pearsons Academic Test of English (PTE) 62

• Cambridge English: Proficiency – Level C2 or Level C1