Art History Collections & Curating

The MA in Art History, Collections and Curating offers advanced postgraduate academic training in the history of art, with a special focus on collections and curatorial practice. It offers the opportunity to hone skills in the interpretation, critique, and analysis of works of art and architecture, developing the knowledge and capacity to pursue future careers in academia, research, writing, and curatorship. Combining academic scholarship with an introduction to the theory and practice of curation in museums and galleries, students will benefit from our School’s extensive partnerships with local, regional, and national cultural institutions whilst gaining first-hand exposure to advanced, active research in art.



• Delivered by academics and practitioners from across the university and the larger Dublin community.

• Offers the opportunity to hone skills in the interpretation, critique, and analysis of works of art and architecture.

• Combines academic scholarship with an introduction to the theory and practice of curation in museums and galleries.



What Will I Learn?

• A specialised understanding of art historical styles, subjects and schools - both in terms of a general familiarity with visual culture, and with regard to a connoisseurial ability to recognise the forms, techniques, functionality and authorship of works of art throughout history.

• An understanding of the theory and practice of curating, including the social, political and cultural functions of museums and galleries.

• Students should be conversant with the extensive range of methodological and interdisciplinary approaches embraced by art history, including current research trends, and how these inform and can be applied to the candidate's own research thesis and assignments.

• Students should have developed the skills relevant to a well-written, analytically rigorous and original research-based thesis on an art historical subject. While this should be a discrete, self-contained project, we encourage theses that offer scope for further development beyond the MA.

• The ability to give concise, visually aware and engaging oral presentations on specific works of art/ art historical sites, and to articulate a personal and individually critical response to the subject in question.

• Students should be familiar with, and have made use of, a wide range of research resources and art collections and sites in Dublin, and in other locations relevant to the course's field trips and the student's own individual research.

• A clear understanding of the value and integrity of original, independent thinking, and the type of research questions which can expand and shape an understanding of art historical topics and themes.

• A range of transferable skills - including the ability to think analytically and imaginatively - which would facilitate not only advancement in the field of art history and its cognate disciplines, but also within a wide range of professional contexts.



The programme is directed at postgraduate students of art history and of cognate academic subjects such as history, archaeology, classics, and visual and material culture. It is also intended for those with experience in the art world and in the cultural heritage sector looking for an opportunity to hone their skills in the interpretation, critique, and analysis of works of art and design, developing the knowledge and capacity to pursue careers in academia, research, writing, and curatorship.

Modules/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

AH40480 Curating & Collections Autumn 10

AH40550 The Grand Tour Autumn 10

AH40600 Methods of Art History Autumn 10

AH40420 MA Field Trip Spring 5

AH40500 Collecting in The Netherlands Spring 10

AH40580 Collection Management Spring 5

AH40590 Disruption and Disobedience Spring 10

AH40560 MA Dissertation Summer 30

The programme is directed at postgraduate students of art history and of cognate academic subjects such as history, archaeology, classics, and visual and material culture. It is also intended for those with experience in the art world and in the cultural heritage sector looking for an opportunity to hone their skills in the interpretation, critique, and analysis of works of art and design, developing the knowledge and capacity to pursue careers in academia, research, writing, and curatorship.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes

90

Z344: 1 year full-time

Z345: 2 years part-time

Delivery: On Campus

MA Art History, Collections & Curating (Z344) Full Time

EU: fee per year - €7315

nonEU: fee per year - €19900


MA Art History, Collections & Curating (Z345) Part Time

EU: fee per year - €4390

nonEU: fee per year - €9950


***Fees are subject to change.


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Z344 MA Art History, Collections and Curating Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



Z345 MA Art History, Collections and Curating Part-time Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught