History of Art, Theory and Display MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Placements/internships
Programme website: History of Art, Theory and Display
This programme offers you the opportunity to explore the history and theory of art and its display in exhibitions and museums across a wide range of historical and geographical boundaries. Based in one of the largest art history departments in the UK, it is perfect for providing you with a comprehensive overview of the discipline, as well as giving you access to an exceptionally wide range of art-historical expertise across time and place.
The city of Edinburgh is a World Heritage Site of leading museums and galleries with a rich range of collections and exhibitions, while its Scottish setting gives you access to an exceptional wealth of historic properties, buildings and sites, from medieval castles to the palace and parliament of Holyrood.
Within the University there are also research collections and noted museums and galleries ranging from contemporary art to the history of medicine as well as rare illustrated books and manuscripts. You will also have access to the National Library of Scotland with exceptional collections in rare books and manuscripts and their exhibition display.
You will examine art in its historical contexts, the theoretical frameworks of interpretation and their relationship as physical objects to practices and concepts of display. You will have the opportunity to put your learning into practice through an optional Work Placement in one of Edinburgh’s many museums, galleries or archives.
The programme content will allow you to develop an excellent knowledge of the discipline of art history, advanced research abilities and the possibility of gaining valuable vocational experience.
The programme is underpinned by two compulsory courses over the academic year, called:
- Research Theories and Methods
- The Cultures and Politics of Display.
You will also take option courses ranging across Chinese and Islamic art, European art from Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Modern times, right up to the most recent art being made in the UK and abroad today.
In the end, you will have developed strong research abilities, a wide knowledge of art in its many contexts, an ability to communicate your ideas clearly, and, for those who study the work placement, first-hand experience of some of the practices and concepts of museology and contemporary curating.
Part-time study
If you choose to study part-time, you will take half the usual number of courses. Typically this will mean you study four courses in your first year (for example, one core course and three option courses), and then two courses (for example, one core course plus an option course), plus the Dissertation in your second year.
Teaching
Teaching includes a mixture of small-group teaching, individual tutorials, research seminars, and lectures. Tutorials are discussion-based, and you will be asked to join in with discussion of key texts, images and objects which are relevant to the course.
This programme is heavily based in reading academic texts, writing essays, and class discussion of ideas. Courses require students to read and prepare notes on up to 12 academic articles or book chapters per week, and a high level of personal and group participation in class discussion is expected. Approximately half of the working week involves independent study and research.
Assessment
Formal assessment is by means of essays, project work, presentations, and a dissertation.
Course assessment is through a mix of 4,000 word essays, presentations, and other academic tasks. Overall, students are required to write 12,000 words for their assessment each semester, as well as the 15,000 word Dissertation in the summer.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | History of Art, Theory and Display | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
MSc | History of Art, Theory and Display | 2 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
All students have the opportunity to apply for a work placement in a local museum, gallery or achieve. These placements are competively awarded, and not all applicants can be guaranteed a place. Typically we award around 40 placements per year.
Students who successfully complete the programme will have developed:
- Knowledge and understanding of History of Art across a wide range of geographical and chronological periods.
- Up-to-date theoretical understanding of the latest methodological developments in the study and display of art.
- The ability to complete a major piece of original, independent art historical research for their dissertation.
- The capacity for further research in the History of Art.
- Transferable skills in the analysis of images and texts, research, academic writing, public presentations, and IT.
Graduates have found the History of Art, Theory and Display programme the ideal stepping-stone to pursue more in-depth study (such as a PhD), or to gain invaluable experience towards finding a position in the museum world and cultural sector.
Field trips
Many courses include a trip to a local museum, gallery or archive to discuss objects and displays on a theme relevant to the course.
Campus faciliites
Courses are taught in our purpose-built History of Art classrooms on the Lauriston Place campus, with occasional classes taught in local museums, galleries and archives.
Lauriston campus redevelopment
ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.
The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.
The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.
You can find more about the project at the below link:
Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston campus | Edinburgh College of Art
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Additional costs may include the travel fare to the site of local cultural institutions for training or seminars.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | History of Art, Theory and Display | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MSc | History of Art, Theory and Display | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office
- Programme Director, Professor Heather Pulliam
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3120
- Contact: h.pulliam@ed.ac.uk
- Postgraduate Admissions Office
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- 57 George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9JU
- Programme: History of Art, Theory and Display
- School: Edinburgh College of Art
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc History of Art, Theory and Display - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc History of Art, Theory and Display - 2 Years (Part-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including references and transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements e.g. via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, please upload that evidence as soon as you have it.
(Revised 12 November 2024 to add application deadline information)
You must submit one reference with your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office
- Programme Director, Professor Heather Pulliam
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3120
- Contact: h.pulliam@ed.ac.uk
- Postgraduate Admissions Office
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- 57 George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9JU
- Programme: History of Art, Theory and Display
- School: Edinburgh College of Art
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences