UNIVERSITY OF LONDON School of Oriental and African Studies the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in History of Art

Description

SOAS University of London (SOAS), a distinguished constituent college of the University of London (UOL), is globally renowned for its expertise in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, offering a decolonial lens on humanities, social sciences, and law. Founded in 1916 as the School of Oriental Studies to advance British understanding of colonial regions, SOAS joined the UOL in 1917 and has since become a hub for critical scholarship, serving over 5,000 students from 130+ countries in Bloomsbury, central London. Ranked 6th globally for Development Studies and 8th in the UK for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings 2025), with 93% of its research rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2021), SOAS excels in art history, particularly non-Western traditions. The Master of Arts (MA) in History of Art, awarded with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) (equivalent to a 60–69% average, or 2:1), is a prestigious postgraduate program within the School of Arts, focusing on the visual cultures of Asia, Africa, and their diasporas. This one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) qualification, culminating in a UOL degree certificate or diploma, equips graduates with critical analytical skills and intercultural expertise for careers in curating, heritage management, academia, and cultural policy, with a unique emphasis on global art histories.

A Legacy of Art Historical Scholarship

SOAS’s Department of the History of Art and Archaeology, part of the School of Arts, is a global leader in studying non-Western art, from Persian miniatures to contemporary African installations. Established as one of the earliest programs to focus on Asian and African art histories, it leverages SOAS’s unparalleled library (1.5 million+ items) and the Brunei Gallery, hosting exhibitions like Future World: Contemporary Art from Asia (2025). Faculty, including Professor Anna Contadini (Islamic art) and Dr. Charles Gore (African art), drive research in postcolonial visualities and material culture, with 100% of art history outputs rated internationally significant (REF 2021). Alumni include curators at the British Museum, Tate Modern, and UNESCO, reflecting SOAS’s 93% graduate employability rate within six months (Graduate Outcomes 2024). The MA History of Art 2:1 diploma signifies rigorous scholarship, recognized by cultural institutions worldwide for its focus on underrepresented art traditions.

Diverse Degree Programs and Diplomas

The MA in History of Art requires 180 UK credits at Level 7, delivered through seminars, curatorial workshops, and a 10,000-word dissertation, with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) awarded for a 60–69% overall mark, indicating strong academic performance. The program emphasizes global perspectives, with access to SOAS’s language offerings (e.g., Arabic, Chinese) for contextual depth. Key highlights include:

• Core Structure (MA History of Art): The program comprises a compulsory module, Theory and Method in Art History (30 credits), covering postcolonial theory, iconography, and curatorial ethics; a dissertation (60 credits) on topics like Southeast Asian textiles or Middle Eastern manuscript illumination; and electives (90 credits) such as Arts of Modern and Contemporary China, African Art and Its Global Commodification, Islamic Art and Architecture, or Visual Culture in South Asia. Assessments include essays (50%), presentations (20%), and exams (30%), with compulsory elements in research methods and ethical curation. Students engage with London’s cultural hub, including field trips to the V&A and British Museum.
• Admission Requirements: A 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, e.g., US GPA 3.3) in art history, anthropology, history, or related fields; professional experience considered for non-standard applicants. English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, no subscore below 6.0, or TOEFL 95). Applications via SOAS’s online portal require a personal statement, CV, and two references; deadline for September 2026 entry is June 2026. No portfolio is required, but prior art history coursework is advantageous.
• Variants and Pathways: Related programs include MA History of Art and Archaeology, MA Curating and Collections Management, or MA Global Creative and Cultural Industries. Shorter Postgraduate Certificates (60 credits) or Postgraduate Diplomas (120 credits) in Asian Art or African Visual Culture provide entry points, stackable toward the full MA. Dual degrees with partners like the National University of Singapore offer global perspectives. Open-option modules allow cross-disciplinary study in anthropology or gender studies.

Fees for 2025/26: £12,220 (UK full-time), £25,320 (international), with scholarships like the SOAS Heritage Scholarship (£10,000) for underrepresented students.

Why Pursue an MA in History of Art at SOAS University of London?

Enrolling in the SOAS MA History of Art immerses you in a diverse, activist-oriented community in London’s cultural epicenter, with small seminars (average 12–15 students) and access to global networks via events like the SOAS Art History Symposium 2025. Facilities include the Brunei Gallery and language labs for 40+ tongues, enhancing research depth. With 93% of graduates securing roles within six months—curators at Sotheby’s, policy advisors at UNESCO, or academics at Ivy League institutions—salaries range from £30,000–£45,000. The program’s decolonial focus, praised by students for its “transformative lens on global art” (NSS 2024), equips you for roles in museums, galleries, or heritage NGOs. Affordable fees, scholarships, and UOL resources like Senate House Library ensure accessibility, while the 2:1 degree certificate signals strong analytical and curatorial expertise, ideal for competitive fields like art consultancy or cultural preservation.

In summary, the SOAS University of London Master of Arts in History of Art with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) is a transformative diploma that redefines art history through a global, inclusive lens. For scholars passionate about non-Western visual cultures, SOAS delivers unmatched impact and prestige. Explore programs at soas.ac.uk to pursue your distinguished degree certificate.