The MA (Hons) in Art History will teach you critically to assess art and visual culture, together with the ideas behind them. You will learn to analyse the history, context, style and meaning of images and objects, developing visual literacy and engaging with different critical approaches and theoretical frameworks. These will allow you to explore the complex role that visual culture plays in questions of aesthetics, politics, power and identity, and understand how art and its display have both reflected and shaped human history and experience.
Art History MA (Honours)
University Rank:#104
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Duration4 year(s)
Tuition FeeGBP 44,183 / year(s)
Apply DateSeptember 1, 2028
Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026
Art History MA (Honours)
About
Disciplines
School of Art History
Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAA
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB
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- Standard entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5)
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5)
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No previous knowledge of art history is required.
Alternative study options
Students interested in this course may also be interested in the following:
Gateway programmes
Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Arts programme.
Study abroad
Art history students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to apply to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
English Requirements
- PTEMin 65
- IELTSMin 7
- TOEFLMin 94
Career
Careers
A degree in art history provides an excellent foundation for a career in museums and galleries, arts administration, the art trade or teaching. As art history is studied in social, geographical, cultural and psychological contexts, you will develop an understanding of how different societies evolve and how art impacts our lives.
Popular career areas for art history students include:
- business and finance
- catering and hospitality
- cultural institutions
- curatorship
- law
- marketing
- media
- public relations
- publishing.
In recent years, art history graduates at St Andrews have secured employment in a wide range of positions at various companies, including:
- the BBC
- the British Library
- Christie’s
- Country Life magazine
- Legal and General
- National Museums Scotland
- Phaidon Press
- Royal Archives
- Sotheby’s
- Tiffany and Co.
- Vertigo Films
- The Week magazine
In your degree, you will also gain a number of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers across all sectors. These include the ability to:
- understand aspects of culture and history in different time periods and geographical locations.
- produce logical and structured narratives and arguments supported by evidence.
- effectively communicate ideas by deploying visual material in conjunction with written or oral presentation.
- work constructively and productively in groups.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Fee Information
Tuition Fee
44,183 / year(s)
Art History MA (Honours)
University of St Andrews
United Kingdom, St Andrews