Art History & Curating
Art History and Curating
4 years (with placement year and/or overseas study)
This course combines the study of art history, focusing on developments since the nineteenth century, with the essential practical skills and critical perspectives needed by the contemporary curator. And Manchester School of Art school provides a distinctive, vibrant environment in which to consider art’s historical development and its relationship to society.
The course shares much of its teaching with BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History, and students from the two courses collaborate on projects and exhibition-making. It is taught by a multidisciplinary team of practising artists, art historians, curators and theorists.
The University's exhibition spaces, cultural programmes and collections are used in the course’s teaching, providing opportunities to acquire valuable, professionally relevant experience and skills. The course also enjoys links to the city and region's galleries and arts organisations.
Special Features
- —The course works closely with arts institutions and galleries in Manchester and beyond, helping students to foster professional skills and contacts.
- —You will have the opportunity to take part in Unit X, an innovative module offered to students across Manchester School of Art that encourages interdisciplinary study and collaboration on an external-facing project.
- —Opportunities for national and international study trips.
- —Manchester Metropolitan is committed to engaging with the Turing programme, the newly announced UK government scheme to support students to study and work abroad.
Course Content
BA (Hons) Art History and Curating combines the study of Art between 1800 and the present day with the study of curatorial practices during the same period, together with the essential practical skills and critical perspectives necessary to the contemporary curator. The programme addresses a diverse range of artists, movements, exhibitions and display spaces as well as theoretical approaches to art history and curating.
Year 1
The first year introduces students to key skills and contexts for art history and curating. Important movements in art from Romanticism to Modernism are surveyed, placing these in their social contexts. Students also consider the contemporary contexts in which we encounter images and works of art, and the ways in which collections and exhibitions produce historical understandings.
Contextualising Practice 1: Critical Analysis
Students are allocated to a pathway according to their programme to introduce ideas relevant to their studies. The module introduces some of the broad over-arching themes and concepts – historical, cultural, social, political, and economic – that affect and inform the production of art, design and/or craft.
Intra-actions
The module provides an opportunity to explore collaborative and interdisciplinary art and/or curatorial practice by undertaking work alongside students from other programmes in the Department of Art & Performance.
Art History 1: The Nineteenth Century
The module involves an introduction to art c.1800-1900, addressing Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism in relation to modern life and modernity. It also introduces practices and concepts that are central to the discipline of art history.
Contextualising Practice 1: Critical Reflection
This module is delivered and assessed by individual programmes and relate directly to students’ personal practice and the contexts that inform making in professional art, design and/or craft practices. The module asks students to begin to form a critical understanding of their own practice.
Year 2
In the second and third years students survey movements and themes in art up to the contemporary, and develop their knowledge and understanding of art's historical, theoretical, and institutional contexts. Alongside this they develop practical skills and professional perspectives relevant to curating. Students have the option to plan and realise an exhibition for a final curating project. Students will also conduct an independent research project leading to an extended piece of writing, which may be an extended essay or a full-length dissertation.
Art History 4: Interpretations
The module examines methods and theories relevant to the historical study and interpretation of art and other forms of visual culture, and looks at the place of these theories in the development of the discipline of art history.
Year 3
In the second and third years students survey movements and themes in art up to the contemporary, and develop their knowledge and understanding of art's historical, theoretical, and institutional contexts. Alongside this they develop practical skills and professional perspectives relevant to curating. Students have the option to plan and realise an exhibition for a final curating project. Students will also conduct an independent research project leading to an extended piece of writing, which may be an extended essay or a full-length dissertation.
Projects in Curating A
In this module, students work individually on the comprehensive development and planning of hypothetical thematic exhibitions for a specific contemporary art space.
Assessment Methods
End of unit course work assessments including: projects, essays, blogs, group work and exhibitions. Ongoing formative assessment and feedback.
Assessment Weightings & Contact Hours
10 credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits (120 credits per year). The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be—
Study
- Year 1 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study
- Year 2 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study
- Year 3 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study
Assessment
- Year 1 100% coursework
- Year 2 100% coursework
- Year 3 80% coursework; 20% practical
Student Work
Visit our online digital showcase to view the work of final year Art History and Curating students.
Staff
- Beccy Kennedy-Schtyk
Programme Leader
— - Dena Bagi
Lecturer in Curating and Exchanges Coordinator
— - Gulsen Bal
Senior Lecturer
Programme Leader in MA/MFA Contemporary Curating
— - Fionna Barber
Reader in Art History
— - Danielle Child
Senior Lecturer
— - Rick Copsey
Senior Lecturer
— - Simon Faulkner
Reader in Art History
— - Sarah James
Professor of Visual Culture
— - Gavin MacDonald
Interim Deputy Head of Department, Art and Performance
— - Elisa Oliver
Senior Lecturer
— - Matt Retallick
Lecturer, Art History and Curating
— - Nicola Singh
Senior Lecturer
— - Hannah Singleton
Lecturer
— - Alison Slater
Head of Art and Performance
— - Andrew Warstat
Senior Lecturer
—
Dr Fionna Barber's 'Elliptical Affinities' displays work by two generations of Irish women artists
Work by art and design graduates features as part of Design Manchester
Graduates
The course allows students to develop into informed, critically capable art historians and curators, able to take their place as professionals in the arts and the wider cultural industries. The course also offers students the opportunity of enhancing their employability through placement and overseas study sandwich year options.
This course is appropriate for careers in a range of cultural roles e.g. gallery/museum curator, archivist, art historian, arts manager, cultural event organiser, art writer/journalist, as well as being appropriate for postgraduate study.
Making an Application
How to Apply
Apply through UCAS.
You will be notified of our decision through UCAS.
Entry Requirements
| UCAS Tariff Points/Grades Required | 104-112. GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications. Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course. |
|---|---|
| Specific GCSE Requirements | GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English |
| International Baccalaureate | IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English Points |
International Students
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5 is required.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Tuition Fees 2025 Entry
UK and Channel Island students
Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% per academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
EU and non-EU international students
Full-time fee: £21,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Additional information
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. For courses that offer a placement year option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,907 (subject to Parliamentary approval). For courses that offer a study year abroad option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,430 (subject to Parliamentary approval). Placement Year fees and study abroad fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% each academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
See Funding your studies for further information and advice.
Additional Costs
Specialist Costs
Optional £500* — Students often choose to buy their own laptop in their first year (costs approximately £200-£800). However there are computer facilities on campus.
Trips and Placement Costs
Optional £1,140* — Educational visits to European centres during each year. These are optional and if related to a unit of study, local alternatives are identified.
Professional Costs
There are no additional professional membership fees required for full qualification.
Other Costs
£150* plus optional £300* — Books and digitised readings are available from the library. However, you will be required to purchase a small number of core books. There will also be some costs associated with printing (core and optional). Materials (core and optional) relating to the practice of curating and the staging exhibitions.
* All amounts shown are estimates.