Graduate Diploma in the History of Art

Program Overview

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The Graduate Diploma in the History of Art at The Courtauld Institute of Art is a 9-month program designed to equip graduates of other disciplines with the skills and knowledge to study art history. The program offers a broad overview of art and architecture from late antiquity to the present, across the globe, and prepares graduates for careers in the art world or other fields.

Program Outline

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Graduate Diploma in the History of Art: A Detailed Extraction

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Degree Overview:

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Status:

Applications Open

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Location:

Vernon Square Kings Cross, London WC1X 9EP (during The Courtauld Connects project)

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Duration:

9 months (full-time)

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Awarding body:

University of London

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Intake:

30 students per year

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Objectives:

• Equips graduates of other disciplines with skills to study Art History.
• Provides a broad overview of the possibilities of Art History.
• Prepares graduates for careers in the art world or other fields.
• Caters to individuals seeking personal development through art history.

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Description:

• Concentrated form of the undergraduate degree.
• Opportunity to study art and architecture from late antiquity to the present, across the globe.
• Taught by researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.
• Modules change from year to year, reflecting the latest research.
• Prepares graduates for careers in the art world, education, publishing, and other fields.

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Outline:

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Structure:

• Two semesters.
• Mixture of lectures and seminars.
• "Foundations" modules offer a broad picture of art historical themes and methods.
• Two further core modules: Physical Histories and Exhibiting Art.
• Selection of modules across both semesters focusing on specific themes, periods, and approaches.
• 5,000-word assessed essay to explore a specific issue and develop research skills.

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Modules:

• Foundations 1 & 2: A series of lectures covering major themes and issues from antiquity to the present day, supported by discussion classes.
• Physical Histories: A new module in semester 1 focusing on understanding and interpreting works of art through close examination of their material characteristics.
• Optional modules: Two modules chosen from a range of options exploring different art histories and critical methods.
Examples include:
• From Shiraz to Beijing: Persian Arts in the Global Fifteenth Century
• Cold War Cultures: Art in a Divided World 1945–1991
• Mapping Contemporary Asian Art
• Approaching Van Eyck: Problems and Perspectives
• From London to Namibia: Art, Travel and Imagination in the Middle Ages
• Writing on Sculpture: Making, Inscribing and Viewing
• Questions of Feminism
• Writing French Modernism from Mallarmé to Matisse
• Artists, Radicals, Mystics: European Art c. 1800
• Assessed Essay: 5,000-word essay on a subject of the student's choice, supported by a faculty supervisor.

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Assessment:

• All elements of the course must be taken (120 credits total).
• Assessment breakdown:
• Foundations: 15 credits (12.5%) per semester
• Physical Histories: 15 credits (12.5%)
• Exhibiting Art: 15 credits (12.5%)
• Optional modules: 15 credits per semester (25%)
• 5,000-word essay: 30 credits (25%)

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Teaching:

• Mixture of lectures and seminars with small group sizes for interactive learning.
• Diverse faculty with expertise in various fields of art history.
• Additional support available through a personal tutor, study sessions, and workshops.

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Careers:

• Equips students with highly transferable skills for employment or further academic study.
• Graduates acquire knowledge and understanding of art history, research skills, and communication skills.
• Career paths include:
• Curators, Conservators, Art Dealers, Auction House experts, Lawyers, Entrepreneurs
• Publishers, Media professionals, Teachers, Banking and Finance, Journalists
• Business / Marketing & Communications, Fashion buyers, Civil servants
• Bespoke careers guidance and support available to all students throughout their studies and up to two years after graduation.

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Other:

• The program attracts a diverse cohort of students, fostering a unique sense of community.
• Many graduates pursue further postgraduate work in art history.
• Some graduates pursue careers in the art world, education, publishing, and other fields.
• Others take the Diploma for personal development and satisfaction.