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History of Art

Research programmes

DPhil and MLitt in History of Art

Course Code | 000873

The DPhil entails the writing of a thesis of up to 100,000 words which may involve either the finding of new or re-examination of known sources.

The MLitt involves writing a thesis of up to 50,000 words which is usually based on original sources, printed or manuscript.

How to Apply

The deadlines for the DPhil course are 16 November 2012 and 18 January 2013. All those seeking funding from Research Council, University, Faculty, or Faculty-College linked resources must apply by the January deadline.

The standard set of materials you should send with any application to a research course comprises:

In addition to the standard documents above, applicants to the DPhil in History (History of Art) should provide two (2) relevant academic essays or other writing samples from their most recent qualification of 2,000 words each, or 2,000-word extracts of longer work.

Applicants to the DPhil in History (History of Art) may alternatively choose to submit one longer piece of 4,000 words rather than two 2,000-word pieces. 

The research proposal for applicants to the DPhil in History (History of Art) is expected to supply your research question, discuss its historiographical context, give an indication of the kinds of sources you have identified and expect to use, and outline your methodological approach to dealing with the sources and constructing your thesis. 

Please follow the detailed instructions in the Application Guide, and consult the History of Art website for any additional guidance.

Taught programmes

MSt in History of Art and Visual Culture

Course Code | 000730 

This programme is run within the History Faculty by the Department of the History of Art, and aims to equip students with understanding of a range of methodologies in the history of art, while expanding their knowledge in specific areas.

Combining methodological depth with access to magnificent primary sources, it welcomes students with a range of previous backgrounds in the study of history, history of art and other disciplines.

Over the first two terms, students take a course in the theory and methods of art history; in parallel, they choose a second course from among a number of options for in-depth familiarisation with a specialist area.

Throughout the year students will work towards a dissertation project of up to 15,000 words which they will write up and finalise in Trinity Term.

How to Apply

The deadlines for this course are 16 November 2012 and 18 January 2013. All those seeking funding from Research Council, University, Faculty, or Faculty-College linked resources must apply by the January deadline.

The standard set of materials you should send with any application to a taught course comprises:

In addition to the standard documents above, applicants to the MSt in History of Art & Visual Culture should provide two (2) relevant academic essays or other writing samples from their most recent qualification of 2,000 words each, or 2,000-word extracts of longer work.

Applicants to the MSt may alternatively choose to submit one longer piece of 4,000 words rather than two 2,000-word pieces.  

The statement of purpose for applicants to the MSt in History of Art & Visual Culture is expected to indicate what optional or advanced paper classes you are interested in taking and give enough of an indication of your individual research interests to make it possible for the Faculty to identify an appropriate dissertation supervisor. 

Please follow the detailed instructions in the Application Guide, and consult the History of Art website for any additional guidance.

Academic resources

  • Outstanding collection of online electronic resources
  • Bodleian Library: printed books and western manuscripts
  • University Language Centre External link
  • History Faculty Library (lending library)
  • History Faculty building (IT workstations and common room)
  • Sackler Library (Archaeology, Art History and Classics)
  • Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
  • Department of the History of Art (with its own visual resources centre)

Academic staff profiles

The core academic staff of the History of Art Department work on subjects from medieval European architecture to modern Chinese art.  Over fifty associated academic staff (e.g. in Anthropology, Classics, History, Oriental Studies, and the Ruskin School of Drawing) include teachers and researchers across the full global and historical range of art and visual culture. 

Information on Academic Staff Profiles External link

Graduate destinations

About a quarter of the History faculty's Masters students proceed to doctoral work at Oxford; others continue academic study at other institutions. Other career destinations are as diverse as, but broadly in line with, undergraduate history career destinations: law, finance, management consultancy, civil service etc.

A recent survey of the destinations of doctoral students who completed theses in 2001 shows that about half are in academic posts in 9 countries; some are working in museums, or as freelance historians; others are primarily in higher administrative positions: in the civil service, university administration, banking, occasionally in publishing or law.

Students in specialised streams such as History of Art are more likely than others to be in museums and galleries.

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+44 (0) 1865 615002
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Main areas of research interests

Research interests on the History website External link


Entry requirements
Research programmes

Strong performance in a postgraduate Master’s degree or its equivalent

Taught programmes

A first or high upper second-class undergraduate degree or its equivalent, in a subject or subjects with substantial historical or other content relevant to the intended programme of study. In higher education sectors outside the UK this entails usually at least a four-year full-time programme of study

 

Selection criteria

Selection criteria on the History website External link


English language requirements

Higher level


Funding/awards
  • AHRC studentships
  • Clarendon awards 

Funding information on the History website External link

 

Number of applicants
2012/13
Research degrees

27

Taught degrees

143

 

Number of places available
2013/14
Research degrees

4

Taught degrees

20

 

Statement of Provision

History - Taught and Research External link

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