Combine your interest in art history and museums with your career aspirations
History of Art and Museums
Why study History of Art and Museums at Birkbeck?
When you study art history at Birkbeck, you will study on our central London campus and will learn from academics whose expertise ranges from medieval European architecture through to contemporary Latin American Art. We have particular expertise in photography and museums.
The museum aspect of this subject area brings together art history, history, classics and archaeology, in undergraduate and postgraduate courses that explore how the past, its culture and its objects are encountered today in museums, galleries, heritage organisations, the media and public policy.
When you study with us, you will explore museum cultures, curating, collections management and public histories, as well as developing key critical, theoretical and practical skills. An optional work placement module for MA students offers the opportunity for gaining valuable practical experience of working in the museums and heritage sector.
Grow your career
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 and gallery curator
- museum registrar or collections manager
- arts administrator
- researcher
- academic.
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.
- Some postgraduate courses give you the opportunity to apply for a work placement in one of London's museums, galleries or archives.
