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University College Cork

Art History - Modern & Contemporary Art History Theory & Criticism

Unique in Ireland, the taught MA in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Theory and Criticism offers a stimulating, rigorous and wide-ranging exploration of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art and theory. Rooted in both solid historical training and cutting-edge critical methods, the course is designed to combine skills in creative and precise visual analysis, close reading of critical texts, and the cultivation of independent and original thinking and research. On completion of the course, you are equipped with skills that are vital to both further academic study and to the pursuit of a wide variety of careers in the arts. Our students typically come to us from backgrounds in the history of art, fine art, film, English literature, philosophy and other related disciplines. The course can be studied full time over one year, or part time (by day) over two years (this part-time option is available to EU students only).

The taught MA in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Theory and Criticism includes an intensive course of four core modules in the fields of modern and contemporary art, a literature review (5,000 words) and a dissertation (20,000 words).

Entry requirements

A candidate must hold either (a) a honours primary degree in History of Art at 2H1 level or equivalent, or (b) Art School students should have a 2H1 minimum in their History of Art classes or equivalent, and (c) a one-page statement of purpose (500 words) acceptable to History of Art Staff, detailing the student's interest in the programme, and their particular research interests and methodologies to date, and their future professional goals. All candidates must satisfy a selection committee. In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, candidates who hold a primary degree other than Second Class Honours, and who demonstrate a high level of significant and relevant experience, may also be eligible for entry to the programme. Final acceptance is subject to approval by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

Duration

1 year full-time and 2 year part-time (by day)

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

A full-time course, the MA in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Theory and Criticism involves four hours of seminar per week, plus approximately 30 hours of weekly independent study and reading.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

The MA provides vital training for careers in schools and universities, museums, galleries and associated fields, as well as developing the necessary transferable skills for professional work in such areas as journalism, media, design, advertising, the heritage industry, and arts administration. Our MA graduates have gone on to pursue careers in arts both in Ireland and abroad, in auction houses and the art market, in teaching and gallery work, while others have elected to pursue PhDs with us at University College Cork as well as University College London and the University of Oxford.

Further enquiries

Contact details for this course
Dr. Sabine Kriebel
s.kriebel@ucc..ie
+ 353 21 490 3985

Ms. Maeve Barry
maeve.barry@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2124

Subjects taught

Modules:
Part 1

HA6006 Theory for Art History
HA6021 Early Modernisms and the Experience of Modernity

Part Two

HA6007 Modern Art and Modernity
HA6009 Contemporary Art

The Literature Review, submitted in late spring, provides critical preparation for the dissertation, enabling you to develop a thorough, analytical understanding of the body of relevant scholarly literature. The dissertation, prepared in the late spring and summer, is a supervised project of substantial independent research, on a topic of your choice.

This is the only MA only course in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Theory, and Criticism in Ireland. Students receive focused, personal attention from an international team of research-active lecturers. Small seminar classes provide the context for lively discussion, critical debate and peer learning. Course work is complemented by a visiting lecture series, class trips to museums and galleries both in Ireland and abroad, and student symposia.

Assessment method

Assessment is based entirely on written assignments, consisting of critical research essays ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 words, in addition to a dissertation of 20,000 words.

Application date

Closing dates

Closing Dates for Application

Applications for 2018 start dates will open on November 1st 2017.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught programmes (detailed below).

Some programmes have a specific closing date. Applicants are advised to consult with the postgraduate prospectus for programmes with a specific closing date.

The UCC rounds EU application system closing dates for Postgraduate Taught courses are detailed below. However, we would advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: Offers will be made:
For all completed applications received by January 15th 2018 Offers will be made by January 29th 2018

For all completed applications received by March 1st 2018 Offers will be made by March 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2018
Offers will be made by May 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by July 2nd 2018
Offers will be made by July 16th 2018

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity for places.

While there is no official closing date for Research courses applicants are advised to submit their application at least two months ahead of their proposed start date. There are four official Research start dates September/October, January, April and July.

Non-EU Applicants:

Please visit the following page for further information for Non EU applicants http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/postgraduateprogrammes/tau...