Art History and Visual Studies (MA)
In this research-focused program, you will study art and the visual world with experts. Join our vibrant community of students, faculty and arts professionals to undertake innovative studies of art, imagery and architecture, from ancient archeological sites to contemporary video games.
This program has active, in-class learning through seminars, workshops and public presentations. You will develop a research project on a topic of your choice.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Students in this program will:
- refine and expand upon existing competencies in the tools of art history: visual/formal analysis
- write and speak clearly, effectively, and critically using terminology and a range of theoretical frameworks appropriate to the fields of art history and visual studies
- conduct independent research on a chosen topic, involving the collection and analysis of visual and/or material culture
- revise and improve writing and spoken presentations on the basis of questions and critiques received from members of the supervisory committee, as well as in seminars and conferences
- investigate and provide explanations for specific interrelations between cultural/historical contexts, art and visual culture
Find a supervisor
For your first two terms, you will be supervised by the Art History and Visual Studies (AHVS) graduate advisor. After that, you will be paired with a supervisor based on your research interests as listed in your letter of intent.
Our Faculty Review Committee will review your research interests at the time of admission to ensure we have a supervisor available in your area of study.
Allan Antliff
Professor Modern American and European art, Contemporary art, Anarchist studies
Astri Wright
Professor Southeast Asian art (including textiles, ephemeral arts), modern and contemporary arts
Carolyn Butler-Palmer
Williams Legacy Chair, Associate Professor Modern and Contemporary arts of the Pacific Northwest
Dennine Dudley
Associate Teaching Professor Early Modern England, Textile History, Collecting Practices, Pop Culture
Evanthia Baboula
Assistant Professor & Associate Dean Material & Visual Cultures of the Mediterranean
Lianne McLarty
Associate Professor Feminist film theory, critical theory, popular culture
Melia Belli Bose
Associate Professor Visual cultures of early modern and contemporary South Asia
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
September entry – apply by December 1
Online applications open September 1
September entry – apply by December 1
Online applications open September 1
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a 1-2 page statement of the reasons for your interest in a career in art history
- Why this department?
- What skills are you planning to gain from your degree?
- What do you want to study?
- What experience do you have in your field of study?
- Would you like to study or do research with a particular faculty member?
- a CV
- transcripts
- names and email addresses of two academic references
- a sample of your written art-historical research (for example, a paper from your 4th year)
You should have a significant academic background in the history of art. If your degree is in another discipline, you should have substantial course work in the history of art.
If you don’t have sufficient course work in the history of art, you may be asked to complete a full year of additional course work at the senior undergraduate level before we will consider your application to the graduate program.
Program specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a 1-2 page statement of the reasons for your interest in a career in art history
- Why this department?
- What skills are you planning to gain from your degree?
- What do you want to study?
- What experience do you have in your field of study?
- Would you like to study or do research with a particular faculty member?
- a CV
- transcripts
- names and email addresses of two academic references
- a sample of your written art-historical research (for example, a paper from your 4th year)
You should have a significant academic background in the history of art. If your degree is in another discipline, you should have substantial course work in the history of art.
If you don’t have sufficient course work in the history of art, you may be asked to complete a full year of additional course work at the senior undergraduate level before we will consider your application to the graduate program.
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Sandra Curran at arthistory@uvic.ca or 250-721-7942.