MA in Art History
The MA in Art History draws upon the exciting research and outstanding teaching expertise of the department. Studying art history at postgraduate level will deepen your understanding of art, architecture and visual culture, build your analytical and critical skills, and develop the skills needed for independent study and research. You’ll start by exploring the core concepts and recent developments that have shaped art history from Renaissance Italy to the contemporary Caribbean, before building on these foundations to expand your understanding of visual and material objects – incorporating architecture, art and design. You’ll complete this degree by researching and writing a dissertation on an agreed topic of your own devising.
Key features of the course
- Engages critically with key theories and approaches developed to interpret and explain works of art and architecture
- Examines critical debates in the academic discipline of art history and the ‘real world’ contexts of heritage, curating and museums
- Prepares and inspires you to confidently develop and articulate your own standpoint within the discipline
- Concludes with a substantial piece of independent research and a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Course details
Modules
To gain the 180 credits you require for this qualification, you must study the modules in the order shown below and pass part 1 before progressing to part 2:
Compulsory modules | Credits | Next start |
---|---|---|
MA Art History part 1 (A843) | 60 | 01 Oct 2022 |
MA Art History part 2 (A844) | 120 | 01 Oct 2022 |
Or 180 credits from the discontinued modules A840, A841 and A847 if you started before 2014.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Career relevance
An MA in Art History will provide you with a wide range of skills, including visual and textual analysis and critical thinking and writing, which can be successfully transferred to a variety of careers in the professional and educational sectors. The MA in Art History will teach you to think critically about historical and contemporary cultural debates around works of art and will provide you with an awareness of art history’s professional contexts. The MA is an excellent starting point for a career in the heritage and cultural sectors, from educator to curator to art critic. If you’re interested in an academic career, the MA is an essential step towards embarking on a PhD.
Credit transfer
If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded the Master of Arts in Art History entitling you to use the letters MA (Art Hist) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.
If you leave the programme before you qualify for a degree you can be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities after successfully completing MA Art History part 1 (A843).
BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities (Art History)
This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities (R14). The degree starts by developing your understanding of the world we live in through a variety of perspectives, periods and subjects – including art history. You’ll then take two specialist art history modules, discovering more about art and visual culture across many periods and places. Through exploring the lavishly illustrated module books, and extensive audio, video and interactive material, you will gain a good understanding of the art-historical debates that shape this exciting subject and develop a range of skills in visual analysis.
Alongside your study of art history, you can choose to study a second specialism from classical studies, creative writing, English language, English literature, history, modern languages, music, philosophy and religious studies. This will entitle you to include both subjects in the name of your degree, or complete your degree with modules chosen from a wide range of options.
Key features of the course
- Specialise in art history within a broad and flexible arts and humanities degree
- Develop a range of skills that will be valuable in the workplace and to further study
- Have the opportunity to write an extended essay drawing on independent study
- Select a second specialism to complement and enhance your study of art history
Course details
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- You’ll start Stage 1 with a broad introduction to the arts and humanities followed by up to two modules chosen from a variety of subjects.
- Next, at Stages 2 and 3, you’ll specialise in art history in combination with either a second specialism in arts and humanities or study modules from across the arts and humanities curriculum.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
In Stage 1 you will encounter a variety of different times and places and engage with some fascinating people, art works, ideas and stories. This broad foundation will help you develop the skills and the confident, open approach you need to tackle more specialist modules at Stages 2 and 3.
Modules | Credits |
---|---|
You’ll start your degree with: | |
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111) | 60 |
We recommend you complete Stage 1 with either of these modules: | |
Cultures (A112) | 60 |
Revolutions (A113) | 60 |
Alternatively, you can choose 60 credits from this list of Stage 1 option modules.If you plan to study French, German or Spanish as part of your degree, you should choose language modules appropriate to your prior level of study. |
Stage 2 (120 credits)
At Stage 2 you’ll focus on art from historical and contemporary perspectives, asking fundamental questions such as: ‘What is art, and why do we need it?’. You’ll investigate different periods and styles of art – including the renaissance, baroque, impressionism, and modernism – and gain valuable critical insight into design history.You will complete the stage with a second module chosen from a wide range of arts and humanities modules.
Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Art history module: | |
Exploring art and visual culture (A226) | 60 |
Option module: | |
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 2 option modules | 60 |
Stage 3 (120 credits)
At Stage 3 you’ll consolidate and build on your critical knowledge of art history, exploring contemporary conceptions of art, postmodernism and globalised culture. You’ll complete your degree by choosing from a wide range of arts and humanities modules.
Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Art history module: | |
Art and its global histories (A344) | 60 |
Option module: | |
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules | 60 |
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- finding external/third party material online
- working in a group with other students
- working with specialist reading material such as works of art and musical manuscripts
- using specialist software (for example the Sibelius music writing package)
- using and/or producing diagrams and screenshots
For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.Read the detailed learning outcomes here
Credit transfer
If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.
It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
Classification of your degree
On successfully completing this course we’ll award you our Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Arts and Humanities.
If you choose a specialist route, your degree title will show with:
- One specialism – Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Arts and Humanities (History)
- Two specialisms – Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Arts and Humanities (French and Classical Studies).
The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.