COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Art History, Collections and Curating provides students with a comprehensive and specialised understanding of visual culture across historical periods and styles. Students will develop a connoisseurial ability to recognise and interpret the formal qualities, techniques, and authorship of artworks, as well as a broad familiarity with key art historical movements, subjects, and schools. A core component of the program is the study of curatorial theory and practice, equipping students to understand the roles that museums and galleries play within broader cultural, social, and political frameworks. Students will become conversant with diverse methodological and interdisciplinary approaches in art history, including current research trends, and learn how to apply these to their own assignments and research thesis. The program encourages the development of original, analytically rigorous research leading to a well-written MA thesis that may serve as the foundation for further scholarly work. In addition to written research, students will hone their ability to deliver visually informed and critical oral presentations on specific works of art or art historical sites, articulating personal responses and interpretations. Through coursework, field trips, and independent study, students will engage with major art collections and heritage sites in Dublin and beyond, making use of a wide range of research resources. The program also fosters independent thinking and inquiry, training students to formulate meaningful research questions that contribute to the field. Graduates will emerge with a deep appreciation of art historical scholarship and a versatile skillset—including critical thinking, research, communication, and problem-solving—that is applicable not only in academic and curatorial careers, but also in related sectors such as publishing, cultural policy, arts administration, and education. Overall, the program balances intellectual depth with professional readiness, preparing students for advanced roles in the art world and beyond.