Normally applicants will be expected to have a first degree with an upper second class honours standing or above (or equivalent for overseas candidates), including substantial previous study of art history. Students with a background in other related disciplines who can demonstrate that they would be capable of undertaking art history research are also invited to apply. Candidates should have a high standard of English, as well as proficiency in whatever language or languages they need for their proposed study. Research postgraduate places are limited, and are distributed by the Arts Faculty on a competitive basis according to academic excellence. Successful applicants for full-time study are normally offered a studentship which is intended to cover their tuition and living expenses during the period of their studies.

The Department does not offer any taught M.A. programmes, but from 1999, the University has introduced a coursework component into the M.Phil. degree (see below). These courses are of a qualifying nature - that is, they must be passed before the student can proceed further with their studies, but they will not be counted towards the assessment of the M.Phil degree itself. Students will take courses in the Department with the aim of broadening their understanding of art history and its methodologies as an aid to their research - such courses will assume an undergraduate level art historical knowledge, and are not intended as an introduction to art history for students with no previous exposure. All students will be expected to give a seminar paper to the Department as one part of their coursework, which is normally completed in the first year of their studies, prior to the confirmation of their candidature. In addition they will take Graduate School core courses which are designed to provide less subject-specific support (for example language courses and thesis-writing workshops). M.Phil. students are expected to complete a thesis of some ambition on a well-defined topic, at a standard considerably higher than that of an M.A. thesis. They work largely on their own with the guidance of a supervisor. This thesis, which should make a contribution to knowledge in the chosen area, must be completed within a strict two year time limit.

MPhil Coursework Component

Prospective Ph.D. students will have a thorough grounding in art history prior to commencing their study, and will usually already have experience of independent research in an M.A. or M.Phil programme. Ph.D. students must complete a thesis within three years of registration (four if they have not previously undertaken a research masters degree). They work with the aid of a supervisor, but in a largely independent way, mobilizing resources for themselves. A Ph.D. thesis should be a major contribution to knowledge, such as might be the basis of an academic book. Ph.D students are required to attend all Department seminars arranged for them, and will be expected to give two seminar presentations themselves. The first of these will normally be given before the end of their tenth month of study, and the second around the end of their second year of study, and not later than the 28th month.

4-year Ph.D. Coursework Component