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Subject
Art history
Examine the evolution of artistic movements, styles, and techniques that reveal the history of civilizations and the dynamic interplay between artistic innovation and societal contexts.
Why Art History at Essex?
At Essex, you'll learn from leading academics like the award-winning Dr. Matt Lodder, whose podcast "Beneath the Skin" won the history award at the Independent Podcast Awards.
Our art history courses will help you sharpen your analytical skills by critically engaging with the relationship between art and society over two millennia. Exploring pivotal moments from:
- The Enlightenment to the digital age
- Delving into art revolutions such as Realism and Impressionism
- Broadening your horizons with modules in heritage and museum studies
The Art Exchange gallery and ESCALA, the most comprehensive Latin American art resource in the UK, both reside on our Colchester Campus providing you with a unique opportunity for academic exploration. You'll also benefit from work and research experiences, ongoing art programs, and join a community dedicated to academic excellence.
Course
Gain a broad foundation in the history of visual culture: by learning about canonical forms of art and architecture and by discovering what has been overlooked.
Course
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Art History
Study the disciplines of philosophy and art history together to appreciate the relationships between the two disciplines with a degree of critical awareness.
Course
Our BA Curating combines classroom-based learning with hands-on experience in museums and galleries.
Course
BA (Hons) Art History and History
Our course promotes awareness of the interactions and differences between history and the visual arts in history and investigates the ways in which the two ...
Course
BA (Hons) Curating with History
This degree will help you develop the skills you need to become a curator who makes bold connections between different forms of art and visual culture.
Course
BA (Hons) Curating with Politics
Develop the skills you need to make new connections between the forms of visual culture you study, political developments, and broader social & political forces
Course
BA (Hons) Literature and Art History
Study the relationship between text and image and the relationships that exist between the two.
Course
BA (Hons) Art History (Including Foundation Year)
On our four-year BA Art History (including foundation year), we work with you to develop your subject-specific knowledge, and to improve your academic skills.
Course
BA (Hons) Art History and Modern Languages
Our course allows you study the history and theory of art combined with French (post-A Level), German, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese (post-A Level or ab ...
Course
BA (Hons) Art History with Language Studies
BA Art History with Language Studies explores history of art, with a variety of specialist options, while becoming proficient in one or more languages.
A unique education
- Enjoy regular visits to London galleries, including Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the National Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as many independent and alternative spaces.
- Study in Colchester (Britain's first city). Steeped in history, and surrounded by ancient Roman walls and ruins, there's a castle for you to explore and the Firstsite gallery, which runs an exciting programme of art exhibitions, film screenings and talks.
- Our broad range of modules allow you to specialise in certain fields or approach your course from a wider angle.
Clearing 2026
Get ahead of results day. Explore your Clearing options now and be ready to secure your place with us when the time comes.
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Take your specialism further
Studying a Master's degree in Curating, Heritage and Museum Studies, or Art History and Theory offers you the chance to gain specialised knowledge and skills for your future career. Key benefits include expertise in curatorial practices, critical thinking, analytical skills and learning more about specific challenges and solutions found in these areas. You'll also have the opportunity to delve deeper and learn about areas such as:
- Heritage and Human Rights
- Digital Heritage
- Museum Activism
- and many more unique to your chosen field of study
Graduates can pursue diverse roles in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, contributing to the art community and shaping cultural discourse. With some of our recent graduates having gone on to work for the National Portrait Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Sotheby's New York, and Momart Ltd
Course
MA Curating with Professional Placement
A Professional Placement offers a unique opportunity for you to gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation.
Course
Gain practical and theoretical training in devising and curating exhibitions, as you work towards the preparation of an exhibition at our gallery.
Course
Our MA is ideal if you are interested in working in academia, the art world or any other field in which visual, written and analytical skills are essential.
Course
MA Heritage and Museum Studies
Heritage is the physical and intangible cultural materials we choose to preserve and value. But heritage is also a matter of heated debate.
Course
MA Heritage and Museum Studies with Professional Placement
MA Heritage and Museum Studies with Professional Placement offers a unique opportunity for you to gain relevant work experience within an external business.
A research community with interdisciplinary at its heart
Embark upon your next step as a researcher and combines the study of art curation with a deep exploration of the historical and theoretical aspects of art. Our interdisciplinary approach allows you to engage with art in a multifaceted manner, understanding not only its visual elements but also the historical contexts and theoretical frameworks that shape artistic production, reception, and interpretation.
We offer four different options for research study:
- PhD Art History and Theory
- PhD Curating
- MA by Dissertation Art History and Theory
- MPhil Art History and Theory
Why study here?
- We're 3rd in the UK for research outputs in art history (Grade Point Average, REF2021).
- 100% of our research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
- We have dedicated research facilities such as the Centre for Public History, Centre for Curatorial Studies, Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies dedicated to researching these areas as well as a range of different research groups to support you in your specialism.
Start your application with us
Explore our Art History, and Curating research by theme or your area of interest and find a supervisor that can support your through your studies. More information can be found about research degrees on our school pages. Our courses below will help guide you through the various research degree programmes we offer.
Research degree
This degree culminates in you curating a major, research-based exhibition and writing a complementary thesis of c. 40,000 words.
Research degree
PhD Heritage and Museum Studies
PhD Heritage and Museum Studies offers specialist, practically-grounded and academic training exploring these questions and more.
Research degree
MA (by Dissertation) Art History and Theory
We offer supervision across a range of fields and have a long tradition of postgraduate training in all the major areas of European art and architecture.
Research degree
We offer supervision across a range of fields and have a long tradition of postgraduate training in all the major areas of European art and architecture.
Research degree
We offer supervision across a range of fields and have a long tradition of postgraduate training in all the major areas of European art and architecture.
Research degree
PhD Heritage and Museum Studies (Practice as Research)
Our PhD Heritage and Museum Studies (Practice as Research) is designed for students who want to combine academic inquiry with hands-on heritage practice.
Our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA) gives you the opportunity to encounter art first hand.
Dr Matt Lodder in front of the Art Exchange Art Gallery
Colchester Castle - the Norman Castle that sits at the heart of our city centre.
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We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
