MA
This wide-ranging programme, which incorporates the study of a range of fine arts and contemporary visual forms and its relevance to global audiences, will enable you to explore your passion for the arts.
“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.”
– Auguste Rodin
Explore what we offer with the help of some of our Master’s students who share their experiences. We give something unique, as the only UK University offering all students a UK and US degree with one programme, providing diversity, choice and freedom.
About the programme
Our MA in Art History and Visual Culture programme will prepare you for an exciting creative career in the art world or more study in the visual arts. This programme puts a spotlight on intercultural issues in art history and visual culture, and professional practice in the visual arts.
Based in London, you can explore the Victoria and Albert Museum, Design Museum, Saatchi Gallery, and many more art galleries and institutions which are located right in the centre of London.
Having such ease of access to London’s world- class art galleries, museums, libraries and art institutions is vital to the foundation of this course.
Study one Master’s programme and you’ll gain two degrees, one from the UK and one from the US. The choice is yours, it can be taken in one year full-time or over two years, part-time.
What you will study
Our programme combines theory and practical skills, beginning in the first semester with an exploration of the history of art and a comparative exploration of art around the world. This is combined with an investigation of research methods, developing skills which are invaluable to a future employer.
The second semester focuses on contemporary arts, using London as the backdrop to bring these alive in a vivid way. The programme continues with a study of visual cultures, with the option to choose specialisms from such topics as Curating, Art Education and the International Art Market.
You’ll have the choice in the final semester of doing either an internship with a dissertation or an extended research project, both great opportunities to provide hands-on experience to increase your employability.
London will be your inspiration. World class art and creative institutions, internationally renowned auction houses, dealers and critics, all combine to make up the unique London art scene. Added together with our small classes which are taught by highly qualified Professors, it’s an unparalleled opportunity.
Fall Semester
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Spring Semester
plus ONE elective
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Summer Semesterplus EITHER
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OR
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Entry requirements
At Richmond our postgraduate degree programmes, which are based on the US educational approach, are available as 1 year (full-time) or two year (part-time) options with some programmes offering even more flexibility.
The entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes at Richmond are the same, regardless of your chosen study option, excluding our International Business (MSc) programme
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
For more information on English Language Requirements visit our How to Apply webpage.
Fees & funding
Postgraduate tuition fees for students starting their programme this academic year can be found in the table below.
UK |
EU / INT / US |
|
| 2022/2023 | 2022/2023 | |
| MA Programmes | £9,000 | £13,250 |
(Hint: Scroll left & right to view the full table)
For more information visit our Tuition Fees & Funding webpage.
Employability
We offer career support and advice through our Careers & Internships Office that will assist and guide you in your study choices to make sure you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Through internships you will gain business acumen, beneficial work experiences and transferable skills which will give you a competitive advantage in a fast-paced working environment. Work while you study across 5 continents through our partners Connect123 and CRCC Asia with destinations in Spain, Argentina, South Africa, China, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.
Career Paths
Award winning advertising agencies and PR agencies, WPP Group, Ogilvy & Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB, OMG Group, MediaCom, Edelman, Dentsu Aegis, Publicis, Mindshare, Racepoint Global, Mischief PR, TBWA, Havas Media
Further Education
IAA – International Advertising Association, Advertising Association (AA), London Business School, London School of Economics, CIM, IDM
Membership
PRCA – Public Relations and Communications Association. For detailed information please visit the website.
Optional accredited internship
Optional Accredited Internship (London or International)
The Internship Programme at Richmond integrates industry knowledge with real working experience. Students will be challenged to relate course projects to the workplace, make contacts which may prove valuable to their future employment prospects, and gain confidence in their capabilities, creativity and communication skills. Internships are designed to be both demanding and rewarding. The internship will provide an opportunity to better understand the marketplace, using the skills learned on courses in a real-world setting, as students produce an assessed record of their experiences.
A broad education of this kind equips graduates for a wide range of careers internationally, while enabling them to develop specialist expertise in areas of particular interest.
Optional Accredited USA Internship (additional cost)
Students interested in gaining work experience in the USA during their last semester and wishing for help to secure a placement can be linked up to Richmond’s partner GCC (Global Career Center).
This organization will offer students comprehensive career training, find them a placement with a hosting company related to their field of studies in the USA and provide all the necessary support to students with their J1 visa application.
This optional internship will incur an additional cost of $3500 (£2600) which will cover: the J1 visa application, site visit and insurance costs ($1820), GCC’s continuous training as well as finding a placement.
The initial cost to start the coaching and training part of the programme is $1,000 and the rest of the fee is only paid once the internship has been confirmed by the host organisation/company and validated by RAIUL’s International Internship Coordinator.
An official certificate of completion will be awarded to every student having successfully completed the programme.
Visit our Careers & Internships webpage for more details on the Host Organisations and examples of Work projects.
For more information contact our Head of Careers and Internships Cecile Loyen.
How to apply
You can apply for Postgraduate study using our online application form.
Whilst most of our courses do not set an exact deadline for applications, you are advised to apply early to secure your place and organise any sponsorship or funding.
Visit our How to Apply webpage for more information regarding Entry Requirements, admissions processes and to start your application.
What our students say
Register for a 1-2-1 consultation with a programme academic >>
Learn more about our Postgraduate degrees, scholarship opportunities and career prospects.
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“Whether you have ambitions for a career in the exciting art world or wish to study further in visual arts, our programme will provide a great starting point for either option. Explore with us intercultural issues in art history and visual culture, and professional practice in the visual arts.”
– Dr Nicola Mann, Head of Department of Communications
“My experience was radically different from my classmates. I lived an hour away, I worked three jobs and completed two internships all while in the program. Mostly I made friends with people in my community rather than at school.
My experience was far from typical, even gruelling at times. But I walked away having lived the best version of studying abroad and becoming the best version of myself–growing as a person, as a student, as a critical thinker and a writer. I loved Richmond and owe so much to this experience.”
“The MA Art History and Visual Culture represented an incredible opportunity on many levels. First, the programme provided me with all the tools and instrument to critically engage with the art world, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Indeed, it gave me the freedom to further explore my area of interest, and expand my research acknowledging and applying different methods of analysis. Coming from a linguistic background, I was unsure of my success in the art world. However, the intelligent and in-depth structure of the programme guarantees for any student the complete, various and thorough education needed to approach the art world.
“Second, being part of this programme opened so many working possibilities I originally did not take into account, which, on the contrary, turned out to be my actual career path.”
“Lastly, but most importantly, while studying at Richmond, I have always felt encouraged to explore, expand my research and, in a way, to pursue my dream. No voice and no opinion was ignored, allowing an interesting and stimulating dialogue not only with the professors, but also with my fellow classmates who turned this academic year into an amazing journey and who became my system of support. The professionalism and efforts of the faculty members and of my peers, especially in these challenging times, soon became a source of inspiration to work hard and to contribute to the programme.”
“Choosing to move to London, enrolling in the MA Art History and Visual Culture programme and pursuing a career in the art world represents one of the best decisions I have taken, one I will never regret.”
