To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in History of Art. We will also consider a different Humanities or Arts subject, provided you can demonstrate your interest in art history and curating. This might be through relevant work experience or studying relevant modules during your Honours degree.
If your Honours degree is a high 2:2 (57% or above, or equivalent GPA) and you have extensive professional experience, or you can document mitigating circumstances that affected your undergraduate studies, you should contact the Programme Lead before making an application.
We recommend using the personal statement to outline your interest in art history and curating and any previous or current experience you have in this area.
If you’ve been out of education for several years, we will consider professional references in place of the standard two academic references.
Due to the competitive nature of the programme, we strongly advise you apply early.
English language requirements If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Do you want to pursue your love of art history, ready for a career in the arts and curating sectors? Conduct original research into art objects, explore current approaches in curating, and take an optional placement module, providing you with hands-on, practical experience with an arts or heritage organisation.
You’ll also establish important professional networks and gain vital practical skills, invaluable to museum and commercial sectors.
We also offer a distance learning programme over 18 months. Find out more about the PGCert Art History and Curating by distance learning .
Gaining tangible experience in the art sector is crucial. Within the first couple weeks of term one, I secured a work placement at the New Art Gallery Walsall. Without the University’s connections and my department’s emphasis on relevant work experience, I wouldn't have known of this opportunity.
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis over 24 months.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students take four modules in the autumn term.
You will have two 2-hour seminars or workshops and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week. You will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
First Year Part-time students take three modules in the autumn term.
Part-time students will have one 2-hour seminar/workshop and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week; you will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.
Second Year Part-time students take one optional module in the autumn term (2 hours seminars per week).
January - April (12 weeks)
Full-time students take four modules in the spring term. You will have two 2-hour seminars or workshops and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week; you will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.
You are assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic.
First Year Part-time students take three modules in the spring term.
Part-time students will have one 2-hour seminar/workshop and one 1-hour lecture or workshop each week. You will have an additional 2-hour seminar on alternate weeks.
Second Year Part-time students take one optional module in the spring term (2 hours seminars per week).
May – August
There are no taught modules during term three. If you're studying full-time, you'll continue your research and writing ready to submit your dissertation at the end of August.
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