This programme invites you to join one of the largest and most diverse concentrations of medieval, renaissance and early modern art historical expertise in the UK. Together, we will uncover neglected narratives and scrutinise assumptions that have often served as the foundations of art historical scholarship.

This programme aims to:

• diversify art history
• reveal meaningful connections and shared concerns
• embrace a breadth of theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches to objects from across the world.

You will cover a period from the third to the eighteenth century, with a far-reaching geographical scope, including:

• the British Empire
• Europe
• the Mediterranean
• Latin America
• the Middle East and North Africa
• India, China and Japan.

You will also study cultures from Christian to Islamic and Hindu to Buddhist.

The programme will allow you to conduct in-depth research projects in Edinburgh’s rich collection of archives and libraries, with behind-the-scenes access to world-leading galleries and museums.

You will also have the opportunity to spend a week in a place of global importance during the premodern period, such as Rome or Paris, working closely with members of the programme team.

Programme structure

You will study three compulsory courses:

• Approaching World Objects - focuses on global material culture and heritage, exhibition design and interpretation (Semester 1)
• Global Rome - incorporates an optional study week in a place of global importance during the premodern period, such as Rome (Semester 2)
• Dissertation - on a premodern art subject of your choice (Summer).

You will also choose four option courses, from a range reflecting the expertise of the programme’s staff, as well as relevant courses in:

• music
• literature
• history
• languages
• architectural history

You will have the option to gain hands-on experience through our internship opportunities at national and local institutions that specialise in the display, documentation and social relevance of art and culture.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this programme will be able to:

• critically analyse, evaluate, and synthesise the study of global art histories informed by developments at the forefront of research
• scrutinise the setting and display of art historical objects, taking account of their physical, institutional, cultural, and historical context
• plan and execute a significant project of research, including defining research questions or problems and testing them against evidence and existing research
• deploy a wide range of media to present art history to a broad public
• pursue professional careers in art history and the cultural and heritage sectors.

The wide-ranging nature of this programme will equip you for further, more specialised, study and potentially a future academic career.

The vocational element is the ideal stepping-stone to a career in art history, whether in the public or private heritage sectors, including:

• museums
• galleries
• libraries
• archives
• auction houses
• the media.

Transferable skills

You will gain an array of highly transferable skills that employers look for in graduates. These include:

• communication
• project management
• problem-solving.

More specifically, our approach means you will gain confidence in employing analytic skills especially attuned to the nuances of cultural exchange and a global outlook.

If you'd like to study on a postgraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through EUCLID, our online application system. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to:

• see detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
• get information on what to expect after you apply
• find out about study modes, start dates and fees
• find out if, and how, you need to submit a portfolio, showreel or research proposal
• find out where to go for further advice and guidance.