Modern and Contemporary Art: History, Curating and Criticism

This programme will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the history and theory of modern and contemporary art, and prepare you for further research and/or a range of careers in the art world. The programme focuses on academic study and is taught by research-active staff who specialise in a range of subjects that shape the field internationally.

Core courses

There are two compulsory courses:

• Research, Theories and Methods (Semester 1)
• Cultures and Politics of Display (Semester 2)

Option courses

There is a selection of option courses that address contemporary art theory and attend to the complexities of modern art and contemporary art theory and practice as well as of the contexts where art is experienced.

Option courses allow you to acquire specialist knowledge on a subject that relates to the focus of this Masters. Normally, the optional internship is available as an option course in Semester 2.

Option courses vary annually depending on the availability of staff and/or the update of the material following research in the field.

Dissertation

Your work culminates in a supervised dissertation of around 15,000 words on a subject of your choice that relates to the focus of the Masters.

Learn from specialists

Academic staff teaching on the Masters are research-active and, in many cases, present substantial work in their field and/or lead their fields. An external Fellow in Contemporary Art Theory and Curating, a leading voice in the field, shares his/her experience with students as part of the Semester 2 core course classes in March.

There are also optional Internships in the cultural sector in Scotland. Moreover, extracurricular research seminars will introduce you to emergent trends and world-class researchers.

Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of the field of modern and contemporary art, as well as transferable research skills. The possibility of an internship in a museum, gallery or comparable work environment can provide useful experience in a changing art world.

Our aim is to provide you with the knowledge and understanding necessary for your intellectual development in ways that prepare you for your future contribution to the field.

The comprehensive nature of this programme, including its specialised option courses, will equip you for a confident start in a range of art-world and related work contexts and will be invaluable if you are interested in further academic study, such as a , or a career in an art-world setting.

• Attend a pre-application information session
• Research partner institutions
• Read the relevant Exchange Application Guide
• Complete online application
• Peer marking (university-wide applications only)