Graduate Diploma World Art Studies
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Graduate Diploma
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Course Overview
Lay the foundations for successful postgraduate study of art history and related topics with this graduate diploma in World Art Studies.
This course is ideal if you don’t yet have a grounding in art and material culture but are passionate about the subject and aspire to postgraduate study in the field.
You’ll study art history and related topics, choosing optional modules related to your interests and ambitions. You’ll be able to choose from the full range of undergraduate modules offered in Art History and World Art Studies (including those involving archaeological or anthropological approaches to art). In this way you’ll find your own pathway through this rich and fascinating field.
On this course, you’ll discover the art and architecture of societies and cultures across the globe, from antiquity to today.
Throughout the course, you’ll enjoy close and imaginative encounters with artworks. You’ll engage critically with art history and cultural theory.
You’ll ask questions such as, how does art connect with wider social, political and cultural forces? What is the role of art in allowing us to discover who we are, how we have been shaped, and what our potentials are, as both individuals and as communities? What are the most rewarding ways to think and write about art?
You’ll choose between four and six optional modules from the range on offer. The modules on offer address a wide variety of topics and could include topics such as 20th-century UK and American art, Venetian art and architecture, art in the contemporary world, abstraction, Medieval art, the history of portraiture, and introductions to art history, archaeology, anthropology, museum studies, and more. Depending on your choice of modules, you’ll have the chance to go on field trips and be able to study artefacts first-hand.
You’ll develop crucial skills in imaginative looking, critical thinking, robust writing and fluent, confident communication.
You’ll also have the opportunity to study the world-famous collection of art held in the Sainsbury Centre, itself a celebrated icon of modern museum architecture.
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to study art history at MA level and beyond.
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 will 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 will 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
- Degree Classification
- 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):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet 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 English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year
Additional Information or Requirements
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (full time)
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 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
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
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Library and archive assistant
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Museum education and engagement
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Arts journalism and media work
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Publishing, commissioning and editing
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Gallery or production management
Discover more on our Careers webpages.