History of Art
Entry requirements
Good degree, usually including history of art.
A 2000-word research proposal must be submitted with your application.
Months of entry
January, April, October
Course content
Current research is concentrated in the following areas:
Early Modern Art and Architecture in Southern and Central Europe- Urbanism, architecture and visual culture in Medieval Europe
- Visual cultures of fifteenth-century Europe
- Art in Early Modern Italy
- Medieval architecture in Central and Eastern Europe
- Institutional and domestic space in early-twentieth-century Vienna
- Brutalism and twentieth-century British architecture
- Daguerrotypes and nineteenth-century commercial photography
- Photography and gender
- Photography and sculpture
- Twentieth-century British photojournalism
- 1970s radical photographic practice
- Museums, monuments and memorialisation
- Monuments and trauma
- Micro-museums
- Eighteenth-century portraiture and conversation pieces
- Nineteenth-century optical technologies
- Twentieth-century art, photography and architecture
Within History of Art, research seminars and events are organised through the following Research Centres:
- History and Theory of Photography Research Centre
- Architecture, Space and Society Centre
- Eighteenth-Century Research Group
- The Material Texts Network
- Birkbeck Centre for Medical Humanities
- Centre for Museum Cultures
An MPhil/PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation. The MPhil thesis is not more than 60,000 words; the PhD thesis is not more than 100,000 words. The thesis requirements for a practice-based project vary according to the nature of the research and can be discussed with the admissions tutors. Both the MPhil and the PhD are assessed by a viva voce examination.
At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year (full-time) or second year (part-time). We offer research skills training, along with seminars and events specifically designed to meet the needs of research students.
You need to find a suitable academic supervisor at Birkbeck, who can offer the requisite expertise to guide and support you through your research. Find out more about undertaking a research degree at Birkbeck.
We hold open days and evenings for prospective students interested in our programmes throughout the year.
Highlights- Birkbeck’s research excellence was confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, with 83% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent, and as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research.
Information for international students
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Fees and funding
Flexible finance: pay your fees in monthly instalments at no extra cost. Enrol early to spread your costs and reduce your monthly payments.
We offer a range of studentships and funding options to support your research.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MPhil/PhD
- part time84 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time48 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700