MA courses
Curatorial Studies
Our Centre for Curatorial Studies is a research and teaching unit based in our School that focuses on contemporary curatorial theory and practice and contemporary museology.
Our MA courses provide options to study different aspects of art history, theory and curatorial practice, and combine specialist modules with a dissertation or exhibition project. Our modules are intensive,
taught in small groups by our expert academic staff,
and provide a thorough preparation for undertaking independent research and PhD study, as well as for developing a professional career in curating.
A variety of scholarships and funding for postgraduate study are available.
MA Art History and Theory
Our MA Art History and Theory is made up of core and optional modules, assessed by coursework, with an independent research dissertation on a topic of your choice completed
in the second half of your year. Modules cover a range of subjects from contemporary art to the Renaissance.
Read the full course description and module options on our course finder:
Curating MA courses
If you are interested in pursuing a career in professional curating or working in galleries, museums and other cultural institutions, our
Centre for Curatorial Studies offers a variety of MA courses.
-
MA Gallery Studies and Critical Curating
Our full-time MA Gallery Studies and Critical Curating offers practical and theoretical training in devising and curating exhibitions, and includes the
preparation and curation of an exhibition at our University’s Art Exchange gallery.
Read the full course description and module options on our course finder:
-
MA Curating Latin American Art
Our MA Curating Latin American Art combines practical and theoretical training drawing on our expertise in curating, museology and art from Latin America.
Engagement with our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA) forms a central part of our course.
Read the full course description and module options on our course finder:
-
MA Curating Contemporary Art
Our MA Curating Contemporary Art provides academic and professional training in contemporary curating and museology, and is ideal if you have existing curatorial
experience and are interested in developing your practice.
Read the full course description and module options on our course finder:
-
MA Gallery Studies with Dissertation
Our MA Gallery Studies with Dissertation offers historical and theoretical training in curating and museology, and the chance to undertake an original and independent
research dissertation project.
Read the full course description and module options on our course finder:
Graduate Diplomas in Art History and Theory
If you do not have the appropriate undergraduate preparation or English language skills to embark on one of our MA courses, you can apply for one of our nine-month Graduate
Diplomas which counts as a qualifying year for the relevant MA course.
Postgraduate prizes
We offer a variety of postgraduate prizes and bursaries for academic performance, to support you during your studies and to encourage research and travel abroad related to art history.
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.
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.
Research
Art History at Essex is internationally recognised for our research across a wide range of areas in the history and theory of art,
and was ranked ninth overall in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.