University of Aberdeen United Kingdom

Art History and English, MA

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The MA Art History and English at the University of Aberdeen offers you a unique opportunity to explore the rich interplay between visual and literary culture across diverse historical periods. This postgraduate degree is designed for students passionate about understanding how art and literature shape, reflect, and challenge societal norms, inviting you to delve into subjects ranging from medieval manuscripts and Renaissance painting to modernism and contemporary curation. You will develop sophisticated analytical skills, learning to interpret complex visual and textual evidence to construct compelling arguments about the creation and reception of cultural works.

This full-time, on-campus MA is structured over two years, providing you with a comprehensive academic journey. You will engage with core texts and artworks, undertake in-depth research, and have the flexibility to choose optional modules in areas such as Surrealism, Architecture and Power, or Women Writing Art History. In your second year, you will complete a significant dissertation, allowing you to pursue an independent research project under expert supervision. You will graduate with advanced critical, research, and communication skills, preparing you for careers in academia, museums, galleries, publishing, and the wider cultural sector.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This Master of Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of both Art History and English literature. Students will engage with foundational concepts in art history, from introductions to modern and contemporary art to specific historical periods and theoretical approaches. The English component delves into diverse literary periods and genres, including Shakespeare, Romanticism, and modernism, alongside academic writing skills. The program culminates in advanced study and dissertations in both disciplines.

1 YEAR 1

Academic Writing for Language & Literature Compulsory
Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen Compulsory
Acts of Reading Compulsory
Introduction to Art History Compulsory
Encountering Art: Museums Through History Compulsory
Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Art Compulsory
Fashion: History and Theory Compulsory

2 YEAR 2

Encounters with Shakespeare Compulsory
What is Art? Compulsory
Art Matters: Materials and Techniques Compulsory

3 YEAR 3

Surrealism and Its Legacies in Contemporary Art
Architecture and Power
Curation: Theory and Practice
Women Writing Art History, C. 1850-1970
Painting in Tudor and Early Stuart England
Page and Stage: Renaissance Writings 1500-1640
Knights, Virgins and Viragos: Chaucer and Medieval Writing
Romanticism
Britain and the 19th Century World
Sympathy for the Devil: Scottish Short Stories
Fallen Women and Self-made Men
Haunted Texts
Modernism: Make it New
American Voices: Self and Society, 1850-1930
Art and Atrocity: Representations of Violence and Trauma

4 YEAR 4

English Dissertation
History of Art Dissertation
Art and the City
Surrealism and Its Legacies in Contemporary Art
Architecture and Power

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Fourth Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 28,115.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 112,461.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Food & Groceries USD 2,256.00 - USD 3,867.00
Transport USD 725.00 - USD 1,009.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,386.00 - USD 1,732.00
Estimated Total USD 4,367.00 - USD 6,262.00

Living cost estimates are based on Old Aberdeen campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

97%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Accreditation & Assessment ServicesAmusement & Recreation ServicesEducation Policy & AdministrationFinancial Technology (Fintech)Gaming & Interactive MediaHealth Technology & Digital HealthLive Events & ConcertsNursing & Allied HealthPrivate Equity & Venture CapitalVocational & Technical Training

Top Employers Hiring for this course

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Deloitte

Elite linguistics

Global language solution

NHS

National History Museum

National Trust

Warner Bros

Why Study Art History and English, MA at University of Aberdeen

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Aberdeen in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Art History and English, MA at University of Aberdeen

Can I work while studying?

International students can work during their studies, with specific hours depending on the level of their course. Degree students may work up to 20 hours per week during term time.

What English language score do I need for this course?

For English language requirements, you can meet the criteria through various tests such as Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Make sure to achieve the specified scores in each category to qualify for admission.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as art historians, museum curators, art critics, educators, or writers.

What will I actually study in this course?

English and Art History at Aberdeen combines all the advantages of the UK’s second most highly-rated research hub for English literature, language and creative writing, with the study of the art of all literary periods at Scotland’s top-rated university. You will examine buildings, sculptures, drawings, paintings, prints, decorative and industrial arts – and gain the skills to draw up a range of exciting career

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The next intake for the Art History and English, MA program is in September. Be sure to check application deadlines to ensure timely submission.
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