Skip to main content

History of Art with Collections Management

MA

Pathway of History of Art (MA)

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus Online

Course Overview

Our MA History of Art with Collections Management will absorb you in the rich and dynamic discipline of the history of art. It will also prepare you for the museum workplace with an intensive collections management module that will equip you with essential skills and experience.  

Why choose this course?

  • You will study with internationally recognised experts. Our teaching staff are defining the field, conducting groundbreaking research in periods from medieval to contemporary. 
  • You will meet experts in London museums and galleries to discuss their work, as well as engaging in hands-on activities relating to documentation, object handling and care.  
  • As well as regular gallery and museum visits, talks by visiting speakers and screenings, you will have the opportunity to gain further experience by applying for a 10-week supervised work placement in a museum, gallery or archive. 

What you will learn

This course will train you in key art historical approaches so you can focus on areas and periods of particular interest. You will gain a solid grasp of the key issues and fundamental, professional skills involved in collections management and an insight into different working practices. 

You will develop a concrete understanding of the core processes by which museums and galleries ascribe value and meaning to artworks and objects, such as documentation standards and object entry and exit procedures, and the ideas, values and ethics which underpin these.  

You will master a wide range of methods and sources, including archives, collections, historical and contemporary texts, and a broad spectrum of artistic media from cathedrals to digital installations. You will also develop an understanding of the role of the collections manager who, increasingly, cares for diverse collections including intangible ‘objects’ such as digital artwork and song. You will draw upon museum theory and sector guidelines to document a bequest to museum accreditation standards and critically reflect on this process. This will give you advanced skills, much desired by many employers, in analysis, argument and communication.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time and you can study it online, as well as on campus. Regular classes are held in the evenings. These include lectures and seminars with an emphasis on vibrant debate enlivened by the diverse perspectives and experiences of our students, some of whom already have strong professional links with the cultural and heritage sectors. 

The Collections Management module is taught intensively in the daytime over a one-week period during the spring term. For those studying on campus, it includes organised visits to museums, galleries, archives, collection stores and heritage sites in London. 

You will be able to follow your interests choosing from a wide range of option modules and exploring a range of media: painting, sculpture, print culture, architecture, digital art, photography and performance. 

You will also devise your own research project for your dissertation, supervised by one of our specialists. 

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. The online option will not be available to you because it may affect the conditions of your visa. 

Discover the career opportunities available by taking History of Art with Collections Management (MA).

Key information and modules

Other Pathways for History of Art (MA)

This course has additional Pathways to offer you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals.

Highlights

  • You will have the opportunity to apply for a work placement in one of London's world-renowned museums, galleries or archives. Previous work placements have been offered at the V&A, Tate, British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, John Soane’s Museum, Whitechapel Gallery, Westminster Abbey, London Transport Museum and Horniman Museum. Past students have documented collections that were previously uncatalogued, helped design and run school programmes, conducted visitor research and assisted curators in producing exhibitions. 
  • We also offer an exciting study trip abroad every spring. Cities visited in the last few years include Florence, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Rome, Berlin and Moscow. 
  • Birkbeck is one of the leading universities for the study of the history of art as a culturally and historically engaged discipline and was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. 
  • You can become involved in our lively research culture and attend a wide range of events, including the Postgraduate Research Seminar, which brings art historians from all over the UK and beyond to speak at Birkbeck, the exhibitions and displays at Birkbeck's Peltz Gallery, and events at the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Centre for Museum Cultures and Murray Group. 
  • You will have access to an incredible range of resources and renowned art collections, monuments and study facilities in London, including Birkbeck’s own Jo Spence Memorial Library and Archive. You can also benefit from the resources of the Birkbeck Library, Senate House Library, the British Library, specialist libraries at the University of London, Courtauld Institute of Art, Royal Institute of British Architects and V&A, as well as the visual resources of the British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, V&A, Barbican Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Hayward Gallery and Royal Academy, and many commercial galleries and salesrooms. 
  • We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students. Funds are also available to support MA coursework research expenses.  
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

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 Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above).

    For students with a degree in a subject outside the arts and humanities, the one-year part-time Graduate Certificate in History of Art and Architecture can be used as a conversion course. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate with Merit will normally be guaranteed a place on this course.

    Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

    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.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course 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.

    If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

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

    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 for our full-time courses 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 as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    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, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    History of Art with Collections Management MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus or online, starting in academic year 2026-27

    Academic year 2026–27, starting October 2026

    Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
    Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

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

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

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

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, guest speakers and student presentations. Research presentations by outside speakers each term.

    Key teaching staff on this course

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Coursework only, consisting of essays of up to 5000 words, a work placement project and a 15,000-word dissertation.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    On successfully graduating with this MA History of Art with Collections Management you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including: 

    • highly developed visual skills 
    • an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories 
    • facility and precision in the use of a range of analytical tools 
    • the ability to research and write professional documents designed for a specific audience 
    • 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 the museums and heritage sector, arts management, conservation and policy, education, marketing and publishing and research and academia. Possible professions include: 

    • museum/gallery curator 
    • museum registrar or collections manager 
    • arts administrator 
    • auctioneer 
    • researcher 
    • lecturer in higher education 
    • advertising account executive. 

    Graduates from our history of art postgraduate courses have gone on to be employed at the following organisations: 

    • Head of Learning, V&A 
    • Director of Photoworks 
    • Senior Documentation Officer in Collections Management, V&A 
    • Director of Learning and Research, Design Museum 
    • Director’s Researcher, Victoria and Albert Museum 
    • Curator, Schools Programmes, Tate Modern 
    • Curatorial Assistant, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 
    • Curatorial Officer, National Army Museum 
    • Subject Leader, AS and A2 Critical and Contextual Studies (History of Art), City and Islington College 
    • Curator, Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace 
    • Head of Campaign Management, Science Museum 
    • Curator, Thai Art Exhibition 
    • Curator, Handel House Museum 
    • Head Curator, National Maritime Museum 
    • Director, Foundling Museum 
    • Curator, British Art 1850-1915, Tate Britain 
    • Courses and Events Programmer, National Gallery 
    • Exhibitions Co-ordinator, Royal Institute of British Architects 
    • Education Officer, Jewish Museum 
    • Collections Researcher, Contemporary Art Society.

    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.

  • How to apply How to apply

    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 - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Visit the School of Historical Studies

Other pathways for History of Art (MA)

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for History of Art with Collections Management MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus or online, starting October 2026

You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

  • two compulsory modules (30 credits each)
  • an option module (30 credits)
  • a research exercise (30 credits)
  • a 15,000-word dissertation (60 credits).

Alternatively, you may graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in History of Art with Collections Management if you choose not to complete the dissertation, or a Postgraduate Certificate in History of Art with Collections Management if you complete the two compulsory modules only.

Compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
Research exercise
MA History of Art with Collections Management dissertation

The option modules listed above are a selection of those offered in past years.