Master of Arts in Art History and Art World Practice

Master's Programme in Art History and Art World Practice

The MA in Art History and Art World Practice is a 15-month taught postgraduate programme which equips you with the knowledge, skills and understanding of art and current art world practice to enable you to launch a professional career in the art world. 

The MA programme focuses on studying works of art first hand and understanding their production, histories, conservation, display, and their commercial and cultural contexts. The programme examines the evolving meanings and status of artworks, both historically and today.

It offers a high level of academic and critical interpretation of art, including a grounding in the methodologies of art history and contemporary thought. Emphasising art produced since 1800, the MA leads you to a thorough knowledge of how artworks are identified, described and catalogued; a critical awareness of the theory and realities of museum and gallery curating; and an understanding of key aspects of the art market and global art world practice. The programme includes a substantial thesis and a work placement of up to 12 weeks at Christie’s or other notable art institutions.

In addition to lectures and seminars, the programme provides direct access to important works of art at Christie’s auction house, in major collections, curated exhibitions, art fairs and art world events in the UK and overseas. Teaching is carried out by Christie’s Education staff as well as by invited distinguished art world professionals and scholars.

Programme Outcomes

On completion of this programme you will be able to combine advanced skills in research and writing with a sophisticated awareness of the interrelated structures of art world professions. They will be highly literate and able to interpret specific artworks using accurate terminology. You will also be skilled in the practical application of art-historical scholarship in solving of the kinds of problems encountered by art professionals.

Our graduates are well placed to work in either the commercial or public-sector art worlds through a wide range of possible entry points. These might include, but are by no means be restricted to auction houses (as specialists or client-service professionals),art dealerships, art consultancies and advisory practices, companies providing tax and legal services to the art world, public museums and galleries (as curators but also in many other potential roles such as development and learning), academia (PhD studentships, teaching and other roles within schools, colleges and universities).

Study Trips

Study trips enabling first-hand experience of international art world practice are integrated into the programme, including residential trips to significant centres of study outside the UK such as study trips to Venice, Paris, Vienna, Marrakesh, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Sydney. The study trips are confirmed at the start of the year and the cost of these are included in the programme tuition fees.

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from those who have a passion for working with art and are looking to develop a career in the art world. You should hold a good first degree, preferably but not necessarily in a related discipline. You are required to demonstrate a genuine motivation to undertake the programme and an understanding of how it would benefit your career development. You will need to show a capacity for sustained intense work and the ability to manage and organise your time. Applications are also encouraged from mature students and those wishing to change career.

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Programme Prospectus and Specification

Download the London Prospectus

Download the Programme Specification

Teaching Method

The teaching methods employed at Christie's Education consist of small-group seminars and tutorials. A key feature of our programmes is object-based learning through study trips and an integrated work placement. In addition to this, students are expected to conduct their own independent study and research. This programme is validated by The Open University.

Contact

For further information please contact our Admissions team

Email: admissionsuk@christies.edu
Tel: +44 (0)207 665 4350

Banner, photo of students on study trip to the Punta della Dogana – Palazzo Grassi, Venice. Installation view of Roni Horn’s Well and Truly, 2009-2010, © Roni Horn.

Core Curriculum

Art Methodology and Theory

This module provides a toolbox of ideas and approaches to the study of art. The module develops a critical awareness of art history as a broad field of study, enabling you to understand how artworks
become carriers of meaning and value and to discriminate between alternative interpretations. Through direct and discursive engagements with artworks, the module provides you with an opportunity to take a critical stance in relation to vital issues at the forefront of cultural debate in a globalised art world.

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10 credits

The Interior

The Interior provides a compelling intellectual setting for the study of design and the decorative arts. The history of the domestic experience of the arts is now a central question in art history, sparking debates of both a connoisseurial and theoretical nature. You will study a range of iconic homes and interiors, learn the language of design, and understand how artworks shift, gather and lose their meanings as they are transferred from one location to another.

Topics covered include: types and forms of the decorative arts; the Romantic period and the idea of an interior; the decline and dispersal of London’s aristocratic collections; the Aesthetic Movement and the influence of Asian interior design; modernist aesthetics and the reform of the decorative arts; the interior as museum; the preservation and curation of iconic houses; contemporary interior design.

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20 credits

Cataloguing

This module delivers a framework for the close and precise study of works of art. The Cataloguing module examines how art is analysed and classified in professional contexts, including museums, galleries, private collections, art fairs and heritage sites. It gives you a broad and detailed knowledge of material objects themselves – their materials, techniques, histories and contexts. It requires the intimate observation and detailed analysis of a wide range of objects of both fine and decorative arts.

The Cataloguing module teaches you how to research and produce professional reports and catalogue entries, including appropriate presentation and language. It aims to familiarise you with relevant ethical and legal considerations, and furthers research skills and professional practice. You will learn to implement a range of professional cataloguing methods as appropriate for distinct groups of objects, such as an antique vase, a medieval manuscript, a Renaissance bronze or an Old Master painting.

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30 credits

Curatorial and Gallery Studies

The Curatorial and Gallery Studies module investigates the ways in which the meanings of art have always been inextricably bound up in questions of display. It introduces a wide range of issues in the theory and practice of curating, understood as an activity that is at once scholarly, professional and creative, from historical museum displays to twenty-first-century biennales, the work of established public and commercial galleries, to new voices that push the limits of curatorial practice.

You will have the opportunity to take part in guided visits to a range of museums and private galleries across London, the UK and overseas. Adopting the programme’s strong focus on object based
study, this module also covers acquisitions (collection-building), exhibition programming and museum ethics.

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30 credits

Art Market Studies

This module interprets the global art market from a historical perspective up to the present day, allowing you to develop a thorough grasp of the structures of today’s markets through an understanding of their history. Art Market Studies takes advantage of Christie’s position as an institution that has been central to that market since the eighteenth century. You will study the development of the auction process, of the dealer system and of international art fairs, the inter-relationships between the market and museums, and the impact upon international art market of digital technologies and emerging economies. The module also covers some key current legal aspects of the art market.

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20 credits

Thesis

The Thesis follows the taught components of the programme and is the opportunity for you to become true experts in a chosen field of specialist study. Supported throughout by Christie’s Education faculty and external experts, the Thesis is an extended piece of research developed over a series of formal stages across several months. Building directly upon the skills and knowledge gained during the programme, you are helped to find research subjects which will lead to significant finished dissertations. Topics of all kinds are possible and different types of approaches are encouraged.

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60 credits

Work Placement

The Work Placement offers an excellent opportunity to commence your art world career by taking up a position with companies and institutions both in the UK and overseas, for up to 12 weeks, towards the end of the programme. Destinations might include a department at Christie’s auction house, a museum, gallery, auction house, archive, foundation or other appropriate arts related organisation. It is designed to give you new practical and professional experience while building upon the knowledge and skills already developed during the programme. The work placement also feeds into the research report as it provides insight into the dynamics of the art market. You are expected to demonstrate professional behaviour over the course of the taught programme to prepare and qualify for this placement.

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10 credits

Admissions Requirements

Christie’s Education London welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We seek students of diverse backgrounds, interests, ages and life experience.

Admissions Requirements

• Completed application form
• A university degree, normally at 2.1 level
• Applicants whose first language is not English should normally have IELTS 7
• Applicants must also provide a 1,000 – 2,000 word writing sample on an art related subject
• CV/Resume
• Personal Statement (500 – 1,000 words)
• Two academic letter references on institutional letterhead (or equivalent professional references for mature students)
• Colour copy of passport photo page and previous UK visas if applicable
• Paid Application Fee: £30.00

Please refer to our admissions policy and procedures for full details of the selection process. 

Christie's Education London offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance packages that are available to our eligible students enroled in one of our programmes.

Applications

Applications can be made online via our applications portal where you can login at any time to track its progress throughout the application stages. All communication will be via the student gateway in Quercus, our student management system. Once an application has been submitted you will also be able to track your application through the system.

Application deadline

As a small institution places are limited. Applicants are advised to submit an application as soon as possible from October of the year before they wish to study. Applications will be accepted after the priority deadline (17 January 2020) until a programme is full. All communication will be via the applications portal.

Visas

If you require a visa to study in the UK we recommend you apply by April of the year you intend to study to ensure there is enough time to make these arrangements before you start your study with us. Please contact Admissions on applicationsuk@christies.edu for more information.

Interviews

Interviews are not mandatory at Christie’s Education London.

There is limited or no access to certain areas of our Grade II* listed building for those with physical impairments. Christie’s Education London will invite for interview and orientation any student presenting themselves as needing additional requirements. Please contact Admissions on applicationsuk@christies.edu for more information.

Questions

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page where we provide answers to commonly asked questions about applying to a Master's programme at Christie's Education.

Tuition and Fees

 MA Art History and Art World Practice

£37,000*

* Fees are correct at the time of going to print but may be subject to change. If this were to happen you would be notified promptly and presented with the options available.

Cost of Living for Students in London

Please note the cost of living is hard to predict for each individual. The table below is an estimate only and may help when considering your financial plans for your time at Christie’s Education.

Terms and Conditions 

A non-refundable deposit of 5% of the first year’s fees is payable when offered a place on postgraduate programmes.

The balance of the fee is payable by 1 September of the relevant academic year. Instalment plans are available upon request. These will incur an additional administration fee and need to be agreed by 1 September. Payment may be made via the application portal. Please note that all locations are subject to change and dates will be confirmed at the start of your programme.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Christie’s Education London offers assistance to students who need financial help through a number of different schemes. Students must apply and be interviewed as well as submit the Scholarship or Student Bursary application requirements, clearly stating the award they are applying for that best suits their circumstances. Find out more.

Academic Calendar

2020-2021 Term Dates

Orientation
21-25 September 2020

Term 1
28 September 2020 - 4 December 2020

Term 2
11 January  2021 - 19 March 2021

Term 3
19 April 2021 - 25 June 2021

Term 4
27 September 2021 - 3 December 2021