Study with us
MA courses
Our MA courses offer in-depth study across a range of specialisms in art history from the renaissance to the present, including curating and Latin
American art, and are an excellent preparation for PhD study and careers in the art world.
We are internationally recognised as a leading centre of postgraduate study in art history and curatorial studies at Masters and PhD level.
Our research ranked ninth overall in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise in 2008.
We have expertise across art history and theory, from the renaissance to modern and contemporary art, with a range of specialisms
including art from Latin America and curatorial studies.
Our campus is an hour away by train from the London art world, and is home to Art Exchange
and our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA), which regularly contributes to the exhibition
programme of Colchester’s iconic Firstsite gallery.
Active research community
As a graduate student at Essex, you are part of an active research community. Our postgraduates organise and participate in our
annual international graduate conference, edit two postgraduate journals, Rebus and Arara, and
contribute to graduate seminars co-organised with philosophy postgraduates in our School.
Throughout the academic year, we invite art historians, theorists and philosophers to present papers in
our research seminar series. There are also regular conferences, symposia, artist and curator talks, and performances organised in
collaboration with our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America, Art Exchange and Firstsite.
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Why study art history at Essex?
Firstsite gallery, Colchester (photo: Richard Bryant).
Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA)
Our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America is central to teaching and research within our School. Many of our postgraduates use this collection
and its archive for their research, and regularly contribute to its online catalogue and public programme, as well as curating exhibitions. Our collection was founded in 1993 by two of our professors, Dawn Ades and
Valerie Fraser, reflecting our longstanding commitment to researching art from Latin America.
Firstsite
Firstsite is a large and iconic exhibition venue in the centre of Colchester and runs an ongoing programme of contemporary art exhibitions,
as well as film screenings, talks and music events. It also homes an exhibition space of our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America.
Art Exchange
Our Colchester Campus Art Exchange gallery runs a programme of exhibitions of contemporary art, artist and curator talks, and hosts exhibitions
organised by our students taking MA courses in curatorial studies .
Free language courses
Reading texts in their original language can be real advantage for postgraduate research. Our University’s Languages for All scheme
allows you to learn an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost.
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Centre for Curatorial Studies
Our Centre for Curatorial Studies is a research and teaching unit focusing on contemporary curatorial practice and theory, and contemporary museology.
We offer Masters courses for those interested in curatorial careers in galleries, museums and other cultural institutions, and welcome proposals for PhD research
on curatorial topics.
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Visting us from abroad
Our School welcomes students from international universities who wish to study abroad at Essex. We provide a friendly, supportive and academically challenging environment for study.
A period of study at Essex entitles you to our study abroad loyalty discount, which reduces your first-year
tuition fees for your first period of postgraduate study at Essex by ten per cent.
Fees and scholarships
Find out details about our fees and scholarships. If you would like any further information or have any questions, please
do not hesitate to contact us.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply for a course in art history at Essex. We can provide
help and advice, and guide you through the application process.
PG open evenings
Book a place at a postgraduate open evenings to find out more about studying at a top ten UK research university. Academic and support staff will
be available to answer your questions and you can speak to students about life at Essex.
PhD study
By undertaking PhD study at Essex, you will become a member of an exciting and active research community, and benefit from the expert supervision of
our internationally recognised staff.