This Masters is concerned with outlining and critically evaluating the concept of the ‘avant-garde’ both theoretically and in terms of its applicability to representative areas of 20th-century art. Dealing with art from early twentieth century to the present, you will investigate concepts such as historical avant-garde, neo-avant-garde, and post-avant-garde, paying close attention to the theorists who have elaborated these ideas.

• If you want to learn from world-leading researchers and develop expert knowledge of 20th-century Avant-Gardes, this programme is for you.
• In the most recent independent review of research quality (RAE 2008), History of Art at Glasgow was rated the highest of all universities in the UK.
• Glasgow’s civic and university collections are some of the richest and most diverse in Europe and are of international standing. You are granted privileged access to the extensive collections in our own Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery.
• You have the opportunity to take part in a project-based work placement, where you can explore a possible future career while meeting professional practitioners and developing your skills and experience.
• Our research forum provides you with a lively and stimulating introduction to methodological debates within art history. It provides a sense of art history’s own history as well as contemporary concerns and practice, examining the beliefs and values that have informed various forms of historical and visual analysis and enquiry. It is focused around a series of seminars or workshops run by members of staff and visiting academics.

Programme overview

• MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

Closely focused on the visual and historical specificities of the subject, the core teaching will have you examining the politically oppositional and ‘transgressive’ impulses of the avant-garde.

You will interpret ‘transgression’ in the widest sense and in relation to a range of diverse historical contexts: eg the anti-art concerns of Dada; the political tensions arising from conflicts between nationalist and internationalist currents in Central European art early in the 20th century; the Nietzschian/Bataillean testing of the boundaries of conventional moral positions, particularly regarding sexual identity and the body.

The optional courses available to you are closely geared to the research interests of the staff, their content will draw upon current exhibitions and debates.

Core courses

• Research forum
• Research and professional skills
• Theories of the Avant Garde
• Readings in Duchamp: anti-art, blasphemy, sexuality
• Dada in Switzerland and Germany.

Optional courses

You may choose from the following options in the College of Arts

• a Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute (HATII) course: 2D Digitisation (Theory and Practice)
• a course from the MLitt Modernities: Modernism, Modernity & Post-Modernity run by English Literature 
• a course from elsewhere in the College of Arts, subject to the approval of the programme convenor.

Or from these courses run by History of Art

• Art in the making: Modern & Avant-Garde techniques
• Independent study 
• Work placement.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include positions in curation, digitisation and research within museums and other cultural and heritage institutions. The programme also provides an excellent platform for you to move onto PhD studies and an academic career.

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.

Note: A minimum 2.1 in History of Art or a related subject is required. You should also submit a writing sample of 2-3000 words, a CV and a personal statement.

English language

If your first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. For this programme you will need to meet the general English Language requirement. See English Language Requirements.

The online application is the quickest and easiest way of applying to the University of Glasgow. The system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University immediately. You can also attach supporting documents including references, certificates and a transcript of previous studies. You will find instructions throughout the online form to help you complete your application. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish before submitting it.

See: How to apply for a taught degree