| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-10-01 | - |
| 2025-01-01 | - |
| 2025-04-01 | - |
Program Overview
Birkbeck's MPhil/PhD in History of Art offers a research-intensive program with a focus on independent research and dissertation writing. The program boasts international recognition for its research in diverse areas, including 19th & 20th Century Design History, Photography, Museology, Gender and Representation, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Students benefit from dedicated research skills training, individual supervision, and access to exceptional research resources and facilities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
History of Art at Birkbeck
Birkbeck offers an MPhil/PhD program in History of Art that focuses on conducting independent research and writing a substantial dissertation. The program is open to both full-time and part-time candidates and can be completed within seven years for part-time and four years for full-time students. The program boasts international recognition for its research in diverse areas such as:
- 19th & 20th Century Design History: This includes research on themes like furniture, product design, textiles, and graphic design.
- Photography: Birkbeck has a strong research tradition in the history and theory of photography, covering various aspects like early photography, documentary photography, gender and representation in photography, etc.
- Museology: Research in this domain explores the history and development of museums, museum practices, and the relationship between museums and society.
- Gender and Representation: This area of research critically analyzes how gender and sexuality are represented within visual culture, including painting, sculpture, film, and other media.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: The program encourages exploring connections between Art and other disciplines like film, anthropology, and medicine.
Research Areas
Current research in the History of Art program at Birkbeck is concentrated in the following areas:
Early Modern Art and Architecture in Southern and Central Europe:
This research explores artistic and architectural developments in regions like Italy, Spain, and Germany during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Urbanism, Architecture & Visual Culture in Medieval Europe:
This area focuses on the relationship between architecture, urban development, and visual culture in European cities during the Middle Ages.
Visual cultures of 15th-century Europe
This research examines the various visual forms and practices prevalent in Europe during the 15th century.
Art in Early Modern Italy
This focuses on the rich artistic production in Italy during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Architecture:
This research covers diverse aspects of architecture, including historical studies, contemporary practice, and theoretical discussions.
Medieval Architecture in Central & Eastern Europe:
This research explores the development and characteristics of medieval architecture in regions like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
Institutional & Domestic Space in Early 20th-century Vienna
This research examines the design and use of spaces within institutions and domestic settings in Vienna during the early 20th century.
Brutalism & 20th-century British Architecture
This research focuses on the Brutalist architectural movement and its impact on British architecture during the 20th century.
Daguerrotypes & 19th-century Commercial Photography
This research explores the early history of photography, focusing on the daguerreotype process and its use in commercial applications.
Photography & Gender
This research examines the relationship between photography and gender representation, analyzing how gender roles and identities are constructed and challenged through photographic images.
Photography & Sculpture:
This research explores the intersections between photography and sculpture as artistic practices, focusing on their mutual influence and development.
20th-century British Photojournalism
This research examines the history and practice of photojournalism in Britain during the 20th century.
1970s Radical Photographic Practice
This research explores the experimental and politically engaged photographic practices that emerged during the 1970s.
Museums & Memory Studies
This research focuses on the role of museums in shaping collective memory and exploring the relationship between museums, monuments, and memorialization practices.
Monuments & Trauma
This research examines the role of monuments in grappling with collective trauma and its representation in public spaces.
Micro-museums
This research explores the emergence and significance of small, independent museums and their contribution to diverse representations and narratives.
18th-century Portraiture & Conversation Pieces
This research focuses on the development and functions of portraiture and conversation pieces within British art during the 18th century.
19th-century Optical Technologies
This research explores the impact of new optical technologies like the camera obscura and photography on the development of visual culture during the 19th century.
20th-century Art, Photography & Architecture
This research examines the complex interconnectedness between various art forms like painting, photography, and architecture in 20th-century British culture.
Research Seminars & Events:
The History of Art Program at Birkbeck organizes research seminars and other events through several research centers:
- History & Theory of Photography Research Centre
- Architecture, Space, & Society Centre
- 18th-century Research Group
- Material Texts Network
- Birkbeck Centre for Medical Humanities
Teaching:
Research Skills Training:
Birkbeck offers dedicated research skills training to equip students with the necessary skills for conducting independent research. These training sessions cover essential aspects like literature review, research methodologies, archival research, critical analysis, and academic writing.
Seminars & Events:
The program organizes regular seminars and events specifically designed to meet the needs of research students. These events provide opportunities for students to engage with leading academics in the field, present their own research, participate in discussions, and receive valuable feedback.
Individual Supervision:
Each research student is assigned a dedicated academic supervisor who provides guidance and support throughout their research journey.
Other:
Admission Requirements:
- Applicants are expected to hold a good degree, typically including a major in History of Art.
- A 2000-word research proposal outlining the proposed research topic and methodology is required for the application.
Research Excellence:
Birkbeck's research excellence was confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, with 83% of its research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
Ranking:
Birkbeck was recognized as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Research Culture:
Birkbeck boasts a vibrant postgraduate research culture with a thriving community of research students. The program fosters a collaborative environment through regular meetings, reading groups, writing groups, and research skills seminars. Additionally, students enjoy proximity to major museums and galleries in London, providing invaluable research opportunities.
- Part-time home students: £2,539 per year
- Full-time home students: £4,786 per year
- Part-time international students: £7,525 per year
- Full-time international students: £14,885 per year Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. Fees and finance PhD students resident in England can apply for government loans of over £26,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees, maintenance and other study-related costs. We offer a range of studentships and funding options to support your research.
