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Technical Art History: Making & Meaning MLitt

Through object-based, interdisciplinary research, this Masters programme lets you examine the story every art work tells: the story of its making and meaning; the material choices made by the artist; and its survival more or less unharmed, through time. Researching this all-inclusive story of an artefact is known as technical art history. It is an exciting and rapidly growing field involving art historians, conservators and scientists, while also reaching out to other disciplines such as economic and social history, anthropology and aesthetics.

  • 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.
  • You will be able to work with objects and benefit from staff contacts with the City Collections, the University’s Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, the National Museums and the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, as well as other cultural heritage organisations.
  • You will take a five-day study trip to a European city.
  • You have the opportunity to take part in a project-based work placement engaging in interdisciplinary research, where you can explore a possible future career while meeting professional practitioners and developing your skills and experience.
  • You will have an opportunity to plan, organise and design a venue-based exhibition of a group of objects from a museum collection. The whole process, from planning, selection, through research, design and interpretation will be undertaken with support from museum and School of Culture and Creative Arts staff.
  • 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

Drawing upon the expertise of an interdisciplinary team, the programme will include taught and research components as well as practical workshops and work placements.

This MLitt develops your expertise to determine the authenticity, attribution and dating of art works – as well as their change and survival. You do not need any background in science or conservation. We will provide you with the right tools to understand what science can deliver, what conservators can do, and what role you can play in this truly interdisciplinary field.

You will take five core courses and one optional course, this is followed by a period of self-study towards a dissertation on a topic chosen by you with the approval of your supervisor.

Core courses

  • Research methods in practice
  • Art in the making: historical techniques 
  • Art in the making: modern and Avant-Garde techniques 
  • The authentic art work
  • Testimonies on painters' practice: documentary and visual sources.

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

  • a Humanities Advanced Technology & Information Institute (HATII) course: 2D Digitisation (Theory and Practice)
  • 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

  • Work placement
  • Independent study
  • Hunterian placement.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include curatorial positions in museums and galleries, working with collections within cultural heritage organisations, or in the commercial environment of auction houses performing object-based research including technical investigation. The programme will also prepare you for a further postgraduate education in conservation or academic research.

Further information: Erma Hermens
email: Erma.Hermens@glasgow.ac.uk

Academic entry requirements

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 2-3,000 words, a CV and a personal statement.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

my academic qualifications are below the requirements?

Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications.

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk