Contemporary Art Theory

Entry requirements

Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. Your application and portfolio should demonstrate:

• evidence of practical and theoretical knowledge of, and experimentation with, a variety of formal, aesthetic and conceptual approaches to the production and distribution of contemporary art
• evidence of practical or theoretical work that addresses key thematic areas in contemporary art and theoretical discourse
• evidence of collaborative working practices, either in a capacity as an artist or working curatorially
• evidence of independent working practices, as an artist or curator

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This programme encourages a creative, holistic and practical knowledge of this increasingly expanded field, grounding practical schooling in fields such as criticism, art writing and curating, in knowledge of key histories and theories of contemporary art. The programme addresses issues raised by the practices of contemporary art, criticism and curating as a means of encouraging you to contribute both critically and practically.

Artists think and act. Being contemporary means engaging with multiple perspectives and different ways of learning. Students of contemporary art theory conduct research in relation to a broad range of creative, cultural and historical contexts in ways that are speculative, writerly, philosophical, organisational, social and economic.

You will apply aesthetics, art theory and criticism, art historiography, anthropology, and critical theory to engage with contemporary art’s variety of media, technologies, images, artefacts, tactics, texts, cultural contexts and professional practices.