Graduate Diploma World Art Studies
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Graduate Diploma
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Museums and heritage organisations bring material worlds into existence. They shape ideas and interpretations through cultures of preservation and display. They lead debates on challenging political, social, and ethical concerns. Based in the world-famous Sainsbury Centre, the Postgraduate Diploma in Word Art Studies places you at the centre of these conversations. You’ll become part of a unique community. We’re the only Art History Department in the UK located within a world-renowned art museum.
You’ll develop a unique understanding of key art historical perspectives and methods. You’ll be able to connect the present to the past and the future. You’ll use the Sainsbury Centre's collection of world art to address big issues. Learning from world-leading experts, you’ll gain insights into art, historical, and museum studies. You’ll consider global and local perspectives to art, history, culture, communication, and identity.
You’re supported every step of the way and choose modules that suit your needs and interests. You’ll learn through an inter-disciplinary approach. This includes museum studies, art history, archaeology, history, and anthropology. You can immerse yourself in the historic city of Norwich and its heritage sites, including the Norwich Castle Museum.
Our ethos is about inclusion and partnership. The Sainsbury Centre, Norfolk Museums, and Ipswich Museum are formal partners. We have associations with National Trust, Norfolk Archaeology Trust, and South Asia Collection. Other links include the Britten Pears Arts and the Norwich Historic Churches Trust. These organisations run diverse programmes of cultural activity which you can contribute to. Many of our alumni now work with these partner organisations. We look forward to welcoming you to join our community.
Study and Modules
Structure
On this course, you’ll select modules from the full list of undergraduate teaching in the department. In this way, you’ll be able to tailor your programme to your own interests. You’ll choose 120 credits’ worth of modules from those on offer, all modules being worth either 20 or 30 credits each.
Your choice of modules should be evenly spread across the autumn and spring semesters. For example, you might take three 20-credit modules in the autumn semester and two 30-credit modules in the spring semester. This will enable you to increase the intensity of your studies as your knowledge develops.
Through the course, you’ll develop a range of transferable skills in written and verbal communication and argumentation. You’ll also acquire detailed subject knowledge and an awareness of the complexity of relationships between art and human lived experience.
To support you in your studies, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor. They’ll give you guidance and advice about study skills and offer pastoral support.
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn through lectures presented by leading academics from the department. You’ll also participate in small group seminars where you’ll have the chance to engage in focused discussion and intellectual exchange. You’ll prepare for classes by reading and taking notes on a specific topic. In seminars, this will enable you to contribute to in-class discussion.
Learning activities for this course can include lectures, seminars or tutorials depending on the modules you choose. You’ll be expected to spend approximately 30% of your time working toward your assessments and 50% of your time on independent learning. Formal classes comprise between 15% and 20% of the module, again depending on the module.
In taught sessions, you’ll engage with key questions relating to art and material culture through a combination of theoretical models and special subject case studies, meaning that you’ll have the opportunity to learn about theoretical and philosophical approaches to art and culture, as well as case studies which address specific artists, genres, media and themes, for example. The balance between learning about theoretical issues or subject-specific studies will depend on the modules you choose.
You’ll learn alongside students who share your interests, having the chance to engage in lively debate in a supportive and vibrant learning environment.
In lectures and seminars, you’ll pay close attention to specific artworks as well as engaging in analysis of art historical and theoretical texts. Many modules involve site visits or field trips, giving you first-hand access to art, architecture and material culture in the company of your fellow students and academic staff.
Working beyond the classroom is vital to your success at postgraduate level. Having already completed a degree in a different field you’ll be skilled in independent study. You’ll have the chance to build on those skills here. You’ll be given set readings for each module. This will act as your starting point for reading more widely.
We also strongly recommend you engage with art in the contemporary world by visiting exhibitions, installations and festivals, and reading newly published research in art history and its related disciplines.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed on coursework only. You’ll complete preparatory assignments and study tasks to help prepare you for submission of assessed coursework. You’ll receive constructive feedback on all your marked coursework to support your ongoing academic development. Where necessary, you’ll be able to speak directly with the marker.
The majority of coursework is essay-based, while assessments might also contain other elements: in-class presentations, projects, or pieces of reflective writing.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Humanities or Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Humanities or Social Sciences
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 5.5 in Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £10,675
-
International Students: £22,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
By the end of your course, you’ll have acquired transferable skills appropriate to a range of opportunities including postgraduate study, arts management, publicity and communication, media, archives, and art curation.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Library and archive assistant
- Museum education and engagement
- Arts journalism and media work
- Publishing, commissioning and editing
- Gallery or production management
Discover more on our Careers webpages.