Tuition Fee
£7,000 (EU)
£12,000 (INTERNATIONAL)
Programme Overview
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 is 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 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
Modules Breakdown
Core Modules & Electives
Fall Semester (12 Credits) |
|---|
Art and Its Histories |
World Arts |
Research Methods |
Spring Semester (12 Credits) |
Contemporary Arts |
Visual Cultures |
Plus one of the following: |
Curating |
Art Education |
International Art Market |
Summer Semester (12 credits) |
Internship with dissertation |
OR |
Extended Thesis Research |
* subject to availability |
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
☐ 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
Research-led teaching from the IVAC (The Centre for International Visual Arts and Cultures)
All MA Art History and Visual Culture and MA Visual Arts Management and Curating students, and members of the Art Appreciation Society are automatically entitled to membership of the IVAC free of charge. Richmond students enrolled on other Masters programmes and undergraduates with an interest in the visual arts are welcome to all IVAC events free of charge.
Programme Fact Sheet
Useful Links
For further information, please contact the Programme Leader:
Dr Robert J. Wallis
Professor of Visual Culture, Associate Dean of MA Programmes
Richmond UniversityWhat our students say
“Richmond’s graduate campus in Kensington places students well within reach of some of the most important art institutions in the world. Encouraged to take advantage of the invaluable resources at our disposal, we are constantly exposed to the archives, artefacts and people driving the discipline forward.
Since my arrival, I’ve collaborated with Dr Wallis on a blog for ‘Aesthetica: The Art & Culture Magazine’, and taken on a position with the Research Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum where I assisted curators in preparation for the major Fall 2011 exhibition on Postmodernism.”
“I feel very fortunate to have been part of the Richmond community. The relationships I developed with my professors, who were always willing to go the extra mile, were invaluable to me as a student. The small, interactive classes meant that we were able to ask questions and engage in vigorous debate. The individually tailored research projects advanced my understanding of the global art scene and helped me to explore and expand my own interests.
After my MA, I worked as Exhibitions Assistant in photography at the National Portrait Gallery and then moved to the architecture department at the Victoria and Albert Museum. I am currently working as Artist and Client Registrar at White Cube, London.”
“The MA program was instrumental to my education as an art historian. The concentrated course of study at Richmond made it possible for professors to really challenge students to approach art in new ways.
The program emphasis on intercultural art is particularly relevant to its location in London, which allows first-hand interaction with art and international perspectives. At the same time, the classroom focus on methodologies helped students with a wide variety of interests develop the tools necessary to conduct sophisticated research and an individual style. Kensington is centrally located to major museums and cutting-edge galleries, as well as incredible research libraries, all of which enriched classroom studies and provided opportunities to interact with curators and other professionals. The emphasis on practical applications of studies, multi-cultural approaches, and modern/contemporary art really puts students at the forefront of current developments in the field of art history.”
“The graduate experience at Richmond proved vital for my success as an art historian and museum professional. The MA in Art History and Visual Culture programme places students on the pulse of the art world, ensuring that they have access to premier institutions, world-renowned museum collections, and highly anticipated exhibitions. Graduate students are encouraged to participate in critical analysis and discussion with professors and peers, resulting in a positive and respectful learning environment.
While at Richmond, I obtained an internship with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Conservation, which solidified my interest in collections management. I had a central role in documenting historic collections at five properties across the southeastern United Kingdom, including Ham House and Gardens, Rainham Manor, Red House, Two Willow Road, and Fenton House and Gardens. Through my internship and the Richmond community, I now have professional connections around the world.
Since graduating, I have become the Registrar for Collections at the Arkansas Arts Center. I have also been invited to speak at the annual American Alliance of Museums conference about my role in the museum.”
Where to find us
Kensington Campus
1 St. Alban’s Grove
London
W8 5PN
England
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7368 8500
