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Art History

Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

Graduate Certificate:

  • One year part-time, on campus

Graduate Diploma:

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, on campus
  • Three years part-time, on campus
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

This art history course, from which you will gain either a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, is designed to introduce you to the study of art history, particularly if you are a graduate from another discipline. It will prepare you for postgraduate study if you wish to pursue your studies further in this area, and will deepen your understanding of this fascinating subject.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course is taught by world-leading researchers who will support and challenge you as you develop as an art historian.
    • It will strengthen your understanding of the visual arts and its expression of ideas and values in different times and places.
    • It will enable you to gain high-level academic experience to continue on to postgraduate courses in art history, and has previously provided a swift and successful route for students with degrees already in science, social science and other humanities disciplines.

  • What will I learn?

    On this course, you will engage with the visual, material and cultural attributes of art objects across a range of different media and contexts.

    Your studies begin with a core module that introduces you to the key skills and approaches of the art historian. You will then be able to tailor your course choosing from specialist-led option modules that allow you to focus on a particular period of interest in more depth.

    Through your coursework choices, you will have the opportunity to develop your own research project and your own voice as an art historian.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is designed to foster your intellectual independence and research skills within a supportive environment that emphasises exchange with your tutor and fellow students.

    You will be taught via interactive lectures and seminars supported by rich online resources via our virtual learning environment. You will also be supported by a personal tutor and will have access to additional learning development covering everything from IT skills to academic writing. 

    This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Graduate Diploma, one year full-time: Three to four evenings a week, with occasional weekend visits, October to July.

    Graduate Diploma, two years part-time: One to three evenings a week, with occasional weekend visits, October to July.

    Graduate Diploma, three years part-time: One to two evenings a week, with occasional weekend visits, October to July.

    Graduate Certificate, one part-time: One to two evenings a week, with occasional weekend visits, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. 
  • The teaching and research of history of art was established more than half a century ago at Birkbeck. Our Gordon Square building - once home to members of the Bloomsbury Group - houses the Jo Spence Archive and Peltz Gallery and hosts the leading journal History of Photography. Our research centres, including the Centre for Museum Cultures and the Murray Centre for History of Art, Architecture and Photography, play a crucial role in generating and disseminating new knowledge.  
  • We offer information evenings for prospective students interested in our history of art courses throughout the year. As well as regular gallery and museum visits, we offer an exciting study trip abroad every spring. 
  • We typically have some bursary funding available from our annual application to the Royal Female School of Art Foundation, which supports undergraduate students who are experiencing short-term financial hardship. 

Modules and Teaching

School of Historical Studies

The school is intensively interdisciplinary and its research and teaching covers every period from prehistory to the early twenty-first century.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

If you do not already hold a first degree, but believe that you are a suitable candidate for either the Certificate or Diploma through other experience and educational achievements, please contact the admissions tutor.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

Graduate Certificate: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

Graduate Diploma: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

Graduate Diploma: Three years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £6,950 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2 and 3: £1,890 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2 and 3: £3,475 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating with either a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Art History, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including: 

  • a sophisticated use of written and spoken English 
  • highly developed visual skills
  • an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories 
  • strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented assignments and fluent critical arguments.

Graduates can pursue career paths in a variety of fields, particularly where progression on to postgraduate study is valued, including:

  • the museums and heritage sectors
  • arts management
  • conservation and policy
  • arts publishing and media
  • research and academia.

Jobs gained by some of our BA and MA graduates include: 

  • Head of Learning, Design Museum 
  • Curator, Schools Programmes, Tate Modern 
  • Curatorial Assistant, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 
  • Curatorial Officer, National Army Museum 
  • Head of Campaign Management, Science Museum 
  • Curator, Handel House Museum 
  • Head Curator, National Maritime Museum 
  • Director, Foundling Museum 
  • Curator, British Art 1850-1915, Tate Britain 

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Art History (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time