MA Contemporary Art Theory

The MA Contemporary Art Theory is for those with a special interest in contemporary art, and a commitment to theoretical work in the subject.

• This Masters explores a range of theoretical perspectives that shape art and visual culture, and attitudes towards them in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
• You’ll be encouraged to conceptually and creatively explore the ways in which contemporary artistic practice and urgent theoretical and political matters intersect.
• You’ll expand your knowledge of contemporary artistic developments and deepen your understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of academic discourses on visual culture.
• The degree draws on the shifting fields of performance studies, art history, continental philosophy, ecology, feminist theory, queer theory, postcolonial/decolonial studies, and cultural studies in addressing the critical challenges posed by artistic practice, and you’ll be able to focus on an aspect that particularly interests you.
• You’ll take part in an assessed symposium, which provides you with a chance to present your dissertation topic at an early stage in order to define and progress your final project.
• Teaching is research-led and you will be taught by tutors who are leaders in their field.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Professor Simon O'Sullivan.

You should normally have, or expect to gain, an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in art history, fine art, another studio-based practice, arts administration and related activities, or a humanities discipline other than art history which demonstrates your ability to undertake work at Masters level.

You don’t necessarily need a formal academic qualification in art history: we welcome applications from prospective students who do not meet the standard entrance requirements but can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and experience from outside academia in the world of work.

Students with little or no formal training in art history/theory or a related humanities discipline often choose to take our Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Art History first. Then they apply to us with a strong foundation. Passing the Graduate Diploma with a grade of 2.1 or higher guarantees a place on our MA.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate study.

Many of our MA students have gone on to MPhil/PhD study, not only in art history and visual cultures but also in related fields such as philosophy, the environmental humanities and literature.

Careers obtained by recent graduates include:

• Artists
• Curators at mainstream galleries/museums
• Curators at independent organisations
• Editors in major publishing houses
• Lecturers
• Researchers
• Roles in TV and film production

Skills

The skills you'll develop throughout the Masters include:

• Critical and analytical skills
• Research and evaluation skills
• The ability to think creatively about developments in contemporary art practice in relation to art criticism, curating, art history, visual culture, performance studies, cultural studies and philosophy
• Written and oral communication skills
• Collaboration and teamwork