General information on master's programmes

Research Programmes
General Guidelines on the Presentation and Evaluation of Work

Master of Studies in History of Art and Visual Culture

The established strengths of the discipline of art history in formal, iconographic and contextual analysis are being linked in the History Faculty's Department of the History of Art to a rigorous approach to questions of theory and method. The subjects of visual history are being redefined on a broad base to include a much wider range of artefacts and visual media. Images and objects produced in many contexts – ranging from the scientific to the popular – are being brought together to show how visual styles at different times and in different places can be understood in relation to the aesthetic, intellectual and social facets of various cultures.

The M.St. in History of Art and Visual Culture offers a unique combination of methodological depth and access to magnificent primary sources. It is valuable both in its own right, and as a basis for further research.

Teaching and examination comprises three elements:

(1) A methodological paper

This compulsory paper is taught in a class during Michaelmas and Hilary Terms. It is assessed through a three-hour unseen examination at the end of Trinity Term.

(2) A choice of Option Papers

These papers are normally taught in small classes or tutorial groups during Michaelmas and Hilary Terms. Assessment is through two extended essays of between 4,000 and 5,000 words each.

• Some of the option papers listed will not be available every year, and new ones may be added. We also hope in future to share certain options with related M.St. courses in other departments and faculties. Prospective students should check on the availability of specific courses during the application process.

(3) A dissertation

In Trinity Term students complete independently, under the guidance of an expert supervisor, a dissertation of up to 15,000 words on an topic of the student's choice and approved by the supervisor and the chairman of examiners for the programme.

Successful candidates often use the M.St. programme as a preparation for further research in the field, and the course has been structured with this possibility in mind. It should be stressed, however, that the admission of any candidate to further study at Oxford will depend on his/her overall performance in the master's programme, together with the viability of any proposed research topic and the availability of appropriate supervision at Oxford.

For formal assessment criteria and submission deadlines see individual ‘Instructions to Candidates’.

Contact information

The current course convenor is Dr Geraldine Johnson (Dept of the History of Art)

All teaching-related administration, and some preliminary examination matters are handled by Rachel Woodruff:
telephone (01865) 286830 (or 86830 from an internal phone)
fax (01865) 286831
address: The Administrator, Department of History of Art, 2nd Floor, Littlegate House, St Ebbes, Oxford, OX1 1PT

Examinations are administered by the History Graduate Office to which all examination queries should be directed after students have submitted their examination entry forms in Hilary Term.
telephone: (01865) 615002 (or 15002 from an internal phone)
fax: (01865) 250704
address: History Graduate Office, Old High School for Boys, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2RL

Alternative History master's programmes

• Medieval History

• Late Antique and Byzantine Studies

• Medieval Studies

• History of Art and Visual Culture

• Modern British and European History

• Global and Imperial History

• US History

• Economic and Social History

• History of Science, Medicine, and Technology