MA History of Art

MA in History of Art by Coursework and Research Report

Overview

Expanding the notion of visual arts research and writing.

The Master of Arts in the field of History of Art by Coursework and Research Report is a 1-year full-time or 2-years part-time degree that offers a rooted understanding of the economic, cultural and socio-political factors shaping the art world and its production of history, including both its silences and allegiances. Students are encouraged to critically engage the ways in which art-historical practice happens through objects, excursions, images, texts and exhibitions.

Coursework students complete three coursework units, and write a research report of 20,000 words. The degree equips students with theoretical and critical skills in academic writing and research, including reading art histories, debating and seminar presentation methods, and formal analyses of artworks, exhibitions, curatorial strategies and art historical writings. Successful students enter careers in curating, museums, galleries, heritage sites, filmmaking, fine arts, advertising, auction houses, filmmaking, journalism, academia, and more.

Curriculum

Master of Art in the field of History of Art by course work:
Requirements: 3 courses and a research report

            (i) Core course: Writing Art Histories
            (ii) 2 electives - wits.ac.za/wsoa/cpavc/postgraduate/ 

Please consult the latest Humanities Rules and Syllabuses to see what other electives can be taken with this degree.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree with honours from Wits or another university with a 65% total mark aggregate. 

Documentation required 

  • Complete Application  
  • Transcripts 
  • Certified copies of qualifications 
  • Motivation Letter
  • CV 
  • Sample of writing (i.e. honours essay or related academic writing)
  • 1-page concept note or description of intended research.

Additional entry requirements may apply.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits postgraduate online application guide for detailed guidelines. 
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies.