Art History and Visual Studies (PhD)
In this research-focused program, you will study art and the visual world. 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.
You will complete your training as an expert in global visual studies via a one-on-one mentorship with a specialist in your chosen field. Our program encourages immersion in other disciplines related to your research.
The doctoral project will launch you into careers in teaching, publishing, art advising, curating and other related fields.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Students in this program will:
- develop high-level skills in both writing and speaking, and use these to communicate research questions and results
- engage in a critical manner with primary and secondary source material, which may include one or more of the following: visual and material culture, printed texts, manuscripts, archival materials, photography, cinema and new media
- read extensively in the relevant literature in your fields of interest, and use this to create an interdisciplinary, culturally-specific theoretical framework to guide the collection and analysis of your research materials
- revise, improve and carefully edit your writing and spoken presentations on the basis of questions and critiques received from members of your supervisory committee, as well as in seminars and conferences.
- research deeply into your chosen topic in order to formulate innovative and culturally sensitive interpretations that can lead to wider public dissemination through presentations at academic conferences, peer-reviewed publications (print and/or online)
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 three 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, publication or an MA thesis)
You should have a master's degree in the history of art or a closely related field from a recognized university.
You must also show that you are capable of undertaking advanced research. (This capability will be judged on the basis of a master's thesis or other scholarly work, including publications, as well as from letters of reference from qualified referees.)
Program-specific requirements
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a three 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, publication or an MA thesis)
You should have a master's degree in the history of art or a closely related field from a recognized university.
You must also show that you are capable of undertaking advanced research. (This capability will be judged on the basis of a master's thesis or other scholarly work, including publications, as well as from letters of reference from qualified referees.)
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.