Overview

The Art History and Visual Studies programme at the University of Victoria provides an immersive environment for the advanced study of the visual world. Students collaborate with expert faculty and arts professionals to investigate diverse topics including art, imagery, and architecture. This research-intensive degree encourages innovative thinking across historical and contemporary contexts.

This programme emphasises active, in-class learning through a combination of seminars, workshops, and public presentations. Participants have the opportunity to develop a bespoke research project or thesis on a topic of their choice, supported by dedicated academic supervision. The curriculum is designed to refine critical competencies in visual and formal analysis while expanding theoretical frameworks.

Why Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Victoria?

The University of Victoria offers a unique research environment within the Faculty of Fine Arts, featuring specialised expertise in areas such as Indigenous art practices, Medieval Islamic art, and modern American and European studies. Students benefit from a supervisory model that pairs them with mentors based on specific research interests, ensuring tailored academic guidance. The institution also provides an optional co-op programme, allowing students to gain professional experience within the arts sector while completing their graduate studies.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: CAD 2801 per semester
National fee: CAD 2221 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Modern American and European Art
Indigenous Art Practices
Medieval Islamic Art and Archaeology
Feminist Film Theory
Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Art
Modern and Contemporary Arts of the Pacific Northwest
Textile History
Visual Cultures of South Asia
Museum Studies

Careers with Art History and Visual Studies

Graduates are prepared for professional careers in art history, museum curation, and visual culture analysis. The programme focuses on developing the ability to write and speak critically using professional terminology, which is essential for roles in galleries, heritage organisations, and academic institutions. By conducting independent research on material culture, students gain the analytical skills required for high-level positions in the global arts and culture industries.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Studio Arts

Photography

Visual Arts
Graphic Design

Art History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

60 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Victoria, Canada

Disciplines

Visual Arts Art History View 35 other Masters in Visual Arts in Canada

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

a 1-2 page statement of the reasons for your interest in a career in art history
Why this department?
What skills are you planning to gain from your degree?
What do you want to study?
What experience do you have in your field of study?
Would you like to study or do research with a particular faculty member?
a CV
transcripts
names and email addresses of two academic references
a sample of your written art-historical research (for example, a paper from your 4th year)

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Victoria and/or in Canada, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

5602 CAD / year

≈ 5602 CAD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

4442 CAD / year

≈ 4442 CAD / year

Living costs

Victoria

Canada

1490 - 2092 CAD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Art History and Visual Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Victoria

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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