PhD courses
Our academic staff
Our academic staff are internationally recognised for their expertise across a range of areas in art history.
Find out more about their interests by reading their staff profiles.
Art history at Essex offers a unique environment for PhD study. Our research was ranked ninth in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise in 2008, and
our doctoral students and academic staff work together to form an active and intellectually challenging research community.
We run an ongoing programme of events including seminars, workshops and conferences, and our PhD students are regularly involved
in exhibition and research projects, and the public programmes of the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America
(ESCALA) and Art Exchange gallery, both based at our Colchester Campus. Colchester is home to Firstsite and is only
an hour by train from London's galleries, museums and archives.
A variety of scholarships and funding for postgraduate study are available.
PhD Art History and Theory
The minimum duration for our full-time PhD Art History and Theory is three years and assessment is on
the basis of a thesis (80,000 words maximum). Our part-time PhD Art History can be taken over a period of six years.
Read the full course description on our course finder:
A research degree in art history allows you to conduct original research on a subject of your choice. We accept PhD students in all areas in which our
academic staff are researching.
-
Supervision areas
Our supervision areas include:
- twentieth- and twenty-first century art and theory from Britain, Europe and North America;
- art from Latin American, contemporary, modern and colonial periods;
- curating, museology and gallery studies;
- aesthetics, philosophy and theory of art;
- European art and theory 1250 to 1700, particularly Italy, France and the Netherlands;
- British and European art and theory in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries;
- architecture and urbanism;
- Dada and Surrealism;
- psychoanalysis and art;
- photography since the 1960s; and
- historiography of art history.
Our list of current PhD theses shows the wide range of research being carried out at Essex.
-
Entry requirements
We normally require a good BA honours and a Masters degree, or equivalent, in art history or a related discipline. You need to demonstrate a capacity to conduct
independent research and are required to submit a detailed research proposal. You attend regular supervisory board meetings throughout your doctoral study where the
progress of your work is assessed.
-
Other research degrees
Our MPhil Art History is assessed on the basis of a thesis (30,000 words maximum). The minimum duration is two years. We normally require you have a good BA in art history
(or related discipline) and you must demonstrate your capacity to conduct independent research, and submit a detailed research proposal. Our MPhil Art History can be taken part-time
over a two- to four-year period.
Postgraduate modules
New PhD students usually take our postgraduate Researching Art History module as an introduction to
both practical and theoretical aspects of research study in art history. You are also welcome to sit in on MA modules in art history and philosophy offered by our School.
Professional teaching experience
When possible, we employ research students as Graduate Teaching Assistants. These paid positions are valuable opportunities for professional development and give you
experience of teaching and marking essays at undergraduate and postgraduate level, a significant advantage when applying for academic positions.
Professional skills development
Our University’s Proficio scheme helps to develop your skills and knowledge and increase your employability potential for
careers in academia and industry by providing funding for specialist training across a range of areas, including researching and managing your PhD, presenting your work
and getting published.
Post-doctoral employment
Many of our former doctoral students succeed in gaining employment in academic positions around the world after completing their PhD at Essex.
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.
Doctoral training
Proficio is our innovative doctoral training scheme. Our University gives you funding to spend on
a variety of courses, from research skills to personal development and career management.