History of Art, Theory and Display

Overview

Based in one of the largest art history departments in the UK, it is perfect for providing you with a comprehensive overview of the discipline as well as giving you access to an exceptionally wide range of art-historical expertise across time and place. The city of Edinburgh is a World Heritage Site of leading museums and galleries with a rich range of collections and exhibitions, while its Scottish setting gives you access to an exceptional wealth of historic properties, buildings and sites, from medieval castles to the palace and parliament of Holyrood. Within the university there are also research collections and noted museums and galleries ranging from contemporary art to the history of medicine as well as rare illustrated books and manuscripts. You will also have access to the National Library of Scotland with exceptional collections in rare books and manuscripts and their exhibition display.

You will examine art in its historical contexts, the theoretical frameworks of interpretation and their relationship as physical objects to practices and concepts of display. You will have the opportunity to put your learning into practice through an optional internship within one of Edinburgh’s many museums or galleries.

The History of Art, Theory and Display programme at The University of Edinburgh content will allow you to develop an excellent knowledge of the discipline of art history, advanced research abilities and valuable vocational experience.

Career opportunities

The wide-ranging nature of this programme will equip you for further, more specialised study in the History of Art, and potentially a future academic career.

The vocational element of your learning is the ideal stepping-stone to a career in the gallery and museum sector.

You will also have gained an array of highly transferable skills, such as communication, curatorial practice and project management, which will prove an asset in any career.