History of Art with Curating,MA

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

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408

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Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesOctober-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 20,850 / year

Next Intake October-2026

History of Art with Curating,MA

About

Course Overview

The MA History of Art with Curating is ideal if you wish to combine learning the practical skills required in the museum workplace with study of the rich and dynamic discipline of the history of art. It will give you a solid grasp of the key issues and skills involved in curating practice and an insight into the different working practices of various museums and galleries.

This course primarily follows an evening timetable, but includes some daytime classes. It includes an intensive week studying current issues and practices in curating where you will meet curators and collections managers in London's thriving museum, galleries and archives sector, and engage in hands-on activities including documentation, cataloguing and issuing loan requests.

On-campus and flexible-learning students will also have the opportunity to apply for a ten-week, supervised work placement in a museum, gallery or archive. Previous work placements have been offered at the Tate, British Museum, Whitechapel Gallery and Horniman Museum. Past students have documented collections that were previously uncatalogued, helped design and run schools programmes, conducted visitor research and assisted curators in producing exhibitions.

As well as regular gallery and museum visits, we also offer an exciting study trip abroad every spring.

Please note: classes are scheduled in UK time. This also applies to the intensive Curating module which is taught over a one-week period in the spring term between 10am and 5pm each day. This module gives you the opportunity to hear from a variety of leading professional curators during live online sessions.

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking History of Art with Curating (MA).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above).

For students with a degree in a subject outside the arts and humanities, the one-year part-time Graduate Certificate in History of Art and Architecture can be used as a conversion course. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate with Merit will normally be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

Career

Graduates can pursue career paths in the creative arts, media and education. Possible professions include:

museum/gallery curator
arts administrator
advertising account executive
community arts worker
multimedia specialist
higher education lecturer.

Read how undertaking our MA History of Art helped one student secure her dream job at Tate Britain.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.