Visual Culture MRes

Program Overview

This MRes in Art History and Visual Culture emphasizes research through a 35,000-word dissertation and offers flexibility with taught modules such as Art and Spectatorship and Critical Approaches to Art History. Graduates may pursue careers in galleries, museums, or commercial art, as well as other fields such as the National Trust or Contemplate Digital. The program provides a stepping stone to PhD studies or demonstrates research skills for those who cannot commit to a PhD.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Research Dissertation: Students will research and write a 35,000-word dissertation.
The subject will be agreed upon with the supervisor, who will provide full support and regular reviews.
• Taught Modules: Students must choose 60 credits from the following:
• Art and Spectatorship:
Examines the major themes in the study of the viewer, such as viewing positions, ways of seeing, and spectatorship. Explores gender, class, race, and other positionalities.
• Critical Approaches to Art History and Visual Culture: Explores key theoretical and methodological issues relating to the study of art history and visual culture.
Prepares students for both the practical demands of research and the philosophical questions relevant to a historical analysis of images.
• MRes Research Skills 1: Introduces key research skills for effective research and successful completion of the MRes.
Develops transferable professional skills, including writing, presentation, public engagement, and project management.
• MRes Research Skills 2: Develops practical and intellectual skills for completing the MRes dissertation.
Covers research planning, archive mining, data management, thesis presentation and structuring, and key theories and approaches relevant to the arts and humanities.

Careers:

• Galleries, museums, collections
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Palace Museum, Beijing
• Sahapedia.org
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
• Commercial
• Sotheby's London
• Christie's New York
• Other
• National Trust
• Contemplate Digital (SEO agency)
• Universidad Technologica de Boliva

Other:

• The MRes is a substantial piece of original work and can be ideal for those who cannot commit to a PhD but still have a topic they want to research further, or for those whose topic does not require three years of PhD study.
• It can also be an advantage when applying for PhD funding as it demonstrates existing interest and research skills.
• This is a companion to the Art History MRes.
The requirements and supervision arrangements are the same, but the title of the final degree is different.

Home / UK: £5,100 International: £21,500