Art History and Theory

Our MA Art History and Theory is ideal if you are interested in working in academia, the art world or any other field in which visual, written and analytical skills are essential. At Essex, you have the freedom to study what most interests you. Some of the topics you may choose to explore include Early Modern art and architecture; the history of photography; modern and contemporary art; curatorial practice and exhibition design; as well as more vernacular forms of visual culture, such as body art and activist placards.

Graduates from our programmes are ideally prepared for roles in the media, in advertising, in museums and galleries, in education (in schools, universities, and cultural institutions), as conservators, as auctioneers, dealers and antiques specialists, in charities, in publishing, as specialist arts lawyers, as PR agents, in fashion, or to run their own galleries. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of roles including: A member of the valuation team at Sotheby’s (New York) Head of Learning at firstsite (a contemporary arts centre in Colchester) Visual Merchandising Manager at John Lewis (Oxford Street, London)

Work while you study

You can also work on a UK student visa, from 10 to 20 hours per week during the academic year, 40 hours per week or full-time during vacations.

Partnerships

Most universities in England have partnerships with different companies and organisations to ensure their students get enough professional training as students. In addition to increasing their students' chances to get hired by one of the universities. University of Essex has partnerships with the following companies: