MA, 1 year full time/2 years part time
Subject overview
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Rated in the top 3 in the UK for research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 100 per cent of our research was rated as recognised internationally or higher, with 70 per cent rated as internationally excellent or higher, and 45 per cent rated as world leading.
Art history at Sussex is ranked 4th in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013 and 6th in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014.
The skills of our faculty represent a unique array across European and American art and culture, with an interest in material culture.
Art history at Sussex has strong links with museums and galleries, both locally and nationally, especially with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum, the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and Charleston House.
For MA and research students alike, art history at Sussex provides a friendly and stimulating environment for the exchange of ideas, in which intellectual life and scholarly endeavour thrive.
- Specialist facilities
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Facilities include a well-equipped slide library containing over 100,000 colour transparencies, an extensive database of digital images, access to computing and word-processing training, and a library well stocked with secondary literature in the discipline and with online access to the British Library and other repositories.
You are encouraged, where appropriate, to take advantage of local sites of art-historical interest: extensive collections in the Royal Pavilion and the museums of Brighton & Hove; local country houses such as Petworth and Firle; and the Bloomsbury Collection and the Charleston Trust.
- Academic activities
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A regular research seminar, to which outside speakers are invited, provides a major forum for debate. You are also encouraged to attend seminars in other disciplines such as history, English, philosophy and anthropology.
The Department of Art History plays a part in the Centre for Visual Fields, the Centre for Early Modern Studies and the Centre for Byzantine Cultural History. These form foci for a range of lectures, conferences and funded research projects.
Programme outline
This MA looks at global perspectives in the history of art, concentrating on the art object, its appearance, reception and manufacture.
Assessment
You are assessed by term papers and a dissertation of 20,000 words.
We continue to develop and update our modules for 2014 entry to ensure you have the best student experience.In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.
In the core module Theories and Approaches to Art History, you share a common taught experience, examining methods and theories relating to themes such as material culture, globalisation, space, historiography and museology.
The core module is complemented by three options selected from those on offer in any one year, which may include Art and the Interior • Art and Travel • Body and Society • Creating the Court • Modernity in Europe and America • Objects of Art • Photography and 20th-Century Visual Culture • Power of Images in Byzantium. You may, with the agreement of the course convenor, take an option from another humanities postgraduate course.
Full-time students work on the dissertation in the third term, and part-time students in the third and sixth terms.
Current modules
Please note that these are the core modules and options (subject to availability) for students starting in the academic year 2012.
Art and its Objects
30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This course explores the actual objects of art and raises questions about their appearance, reception and manufacture. You will also consider the use of the 'objects of art' and issues about how something may be considered a 'work of art' when another thing is not.
Art and the Interior
30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
The interior as a context for works of art has recently been the focus of increasing attention. This module offers you a critical introduction to the range of primary sources employed in the study of the interior, the variety of methodologies used and the key issues that have influenced scholarship in this new field. Providing you with an understanding of the changing meanings of art objects and spaces, it will explore the factors that influenced the visual and material culture of the interior.
Art History Research Seminar
0 credits
All year teaching, year 1
Modernity in Europe and North America
30 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module considers modernity in the context of the 19th century and early 20th century. You will consider visual culture in the context of this period of rapid change and explore interrelationships across cultures in Europe and North America, and imperial spaces beyond Europe. You will explore the new institutions and mass media that disseminated the visual, and address a variety of images ranging from paintings to new forms of popular mass culture. You will have the chance to draw on primary material in the form of periodical collections held in the University of Sussex library.
Photography and 20th Century Visual Culture
30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
Power of Images in Byzantium
30 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module examines the relationship between images and texts in Byzantium. You will explore problems concerning the use of language in discussing the visual arts, questions of interpretation and methodology, and the deciphering of the meaning of words about images which no longer exist form the central concerns of the course. Themes include: how to describe a work of art in Byzantium; icons and their significance, relating word and image and the problems that arise when images are liost and only words survive.
Renaissance Painting and the Workshop Tradition
30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
Art History Research Skills and Methods
0 credits
All year teaching, year 1
Theories & Approaches to Art History
30 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module covers some of the central topics and methods of current art historical practice as applied to a wide range of specific geographic and historical contexts. Engaging with some of art history's historiographical and methodological approaches, you will evaluate diverse interpretive approaches, such as feminism, iconology, agency, gift giving, and post colonialism. The module develops your the ability to interpret, critique and apply a range of methodological positions and highlights the position of art history as a discipline both responding to and acting upon problems of understanding cultural practices. The module material may be contradictory or even explicitly oppositional, and you will be expected and encouraged to develop an independent position on it.
Visual and Material Cultures
30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1
This module considers modernity in the context of the 19th and early 20th century. You will consider visual culture in the context of this period of rapid change and explore interrelationships across cultures in Europe and North America, and imperial spaces beyond Europe.
You will consider the new institutions and mass media that disseminated the visual, addressing a variety of images ranging from paintings to new forms of popular mass culture. You will also have the chance to draw on primary material in the form of periodical collections held in the University of Sussex library.
Entry requirements
UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in art history or another relevant humanities or social science discipline.
Overseas entrance requirements
- Overseas qualifications
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If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Country Overseas qualification Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8 Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+) China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5 France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13 Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5 Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15 Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105 Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent Malaysia Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1 Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8 Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3 Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70% Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related programmes
Fees and funding
Fees
Home UK/EU students: £5,5001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £5,5002
Overseas students: £13,0003
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The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Chancellor's International Scholarship (2014)
Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014
25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver
Fulbright-Sussex University Award (2014)
Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 15 October 2013
Each year, one award is offered to a US citizen for the first year of a postgraduate degree in any field at the University of Sussex.
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2014)
Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.
Santander Scholarship (2014)
Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014
Two scholarships of £5000 fee waiver for students studying any postgraduate taught course.
USA Friends Scholarships (2014)
Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 3 April 2014
Two scholarships of an amount equivalent to $10,000 are available to nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Master's degree course.
Faculty interests
Our research interests cover a broad chronological spread – from Byzantium to the present – and a wide range of subjects – from 20th-century photography to women art critics, Tudor architecture, and art and travel.
Research interests are briefly described below. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Art History.
Dr Benedict Burbridge History and theory of photography, photography and contemporary art. Co-editor of Photoworks magazine. Co-curator of the Brighton Photo Biennial (2012).
Dr Meaghan Clarke 19th- and early 20th-century painting, photography and print culture in Europe and North America. Recently carried out a collection review at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
Dr Charlotte de Mille 19th- and 20th-century painting, music and philosophy. Former Programming Committee member for Late Night Openings at the Courtauld Gallery.
Dr Flora Dennis Visual culture of 15th- and 16th-century Italy; domestic interiors. Co-curator of the V&A exhibition At Home in Renaissance Italy (2006-2007).
Professor Maurice Howard Tudor art and architecture; French architecture 1500-1600; the history of ornament. President of the Society of Antiquaries and Senior Subject Specialist for the V&A’s British Galleries.
Professor Liz James Classical and Byzantine art, light and colour, gender. Consultant on the Royal Academy exhibition Byzantium 330-1453 (2008-2009).
Professor David Mellor 20th-century painting, film and photography; cultural and visual representation. Curator of The Bruce Lacey Experience (2012); contributor to Tate exhibitions on Henry Moore (2010).
Dr Michelle O’Malley Renaissance painting, commissioning, production and consumption. Former Head of Education for exhibitions at the Royal Academy.
Dr Geoffrey Quilley 18th-century art, travel and empire. Curator of the National Maritime Museum exhibition Art for the Nation: The Oil Paintings Collection of the National Maritime Museum (2006).
Dr Carolyn Sargentson 18th-century French art and furniture. Former Head of Research at the V&A, currently cataloguing the V&A’s collections of French furniture.
Careers and profiles
Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers at the V&A, the Charleston Trust, the National Trust and at the BBC.
Natalie's career perspective
‘I came to Sussex having completed a BA in Visual Culture. I’d always hoped to work within the museum sector and felt that the Sussex MA in Art History would give me the qualifications and knowledge required.
‘The MA exposed me to new areas of critical thinking, theories and art disciplines that I’d not studied during my undergraduate degree. The programme structure was highly flexible, which enabled me to work either in peer groups or independently to develop my own individual research skills. It was great to be able to study with like-minded people who held similar interests.
‘The lecturers and staff were extremely helpful and were always able to give me the additional support that I required as a dyslexic student. My experience of being a student at Sussex was very positive and I have fond memories of my time there.
‘I now work at Ditchling Museum as an Education and Outreach Programmer, and I do believe that it is the knowledge and confidence I gained from the MA that helped me to progress to this role.’
Natalie Franklin
Education and Outreach Programmer
Ditchling Museum
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of History, Art History and Philosophy
The School of History, Art History and Philosophy brings together staff and students from some of the University's most vibrant and successful departments, each of which is a locus of world-leading research and outstanding teaching. Our outlook places a premium on intellectual flexibility and the power of the imagination.
Grace Ryan, Course Co-ordinator,
School of History, Art History and Philosophy, Arts A,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678899
E g.l.ryan@sussex.ac.uk
Department of Art History
Postgraduate Open Day 2013
4 December 2013, 1pm-4pm
Bramber House, University of Sussex
- talk to academic faculty and current postgraduate students
- subject talks and presentations on postgraduate study, research and funding
- choose from our exciting range of taught Masters and research degrees
- find out how postgraduate study can improve your career prospects
- get details of our excellent funding schemes for taught postgraduate study.
To register your interest in attending, visit Postgraduate Open Day.
Can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day? You might be interested in attending one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions.
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
If you can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, you’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.