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Postgraduate Study

The educational aims of the MPhil in Global History of Art and Architecture are as follows:

  • provide an overview of current interdisciplinary research and challenges in the global history of art and architecture;

  • provide critical and analytical tools to engage with the forefront of academic knowledge, methods and applications in this area;

  • develop the skills and abilities to identify, address and approach practical cross- and interdisciplinary research challenges, particularly with regard to collections-based work.

  • Prepare students for further research, e.g. at doctoral level, and equip them with transferable skills relevant to the workplace.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the course students will have acquired:

  • Advanced specialist subject knowledge and understanding of the history of art and architecture in a global context;

  • Systematic and comprehensive conceptual knowledge and critical understanding of relevant historiographical, methodological and theoretical frameworks for the history of art and architecture in a global context;

  • Ability to utilise specialist subject and conceptual knowledge and understanding in students’ own original written work, successfully engaging with and/or contributing to critical debates in the field;

  • Language tuition that enhances student access to relevant subject knowledge, sources, methods and analytical tools for studying the history of art and architecture in a global context.

Skills and other attributes

Students will be able to:

  • Synthesise and analyse advanced research and scholarship across the field of history of art and architecture and relevant academic disciplines in a global context;

  • Put relevant theoretical and academic knowledge into practice, applying it to specific objects and case studies;

  • Utilise acquired transferable language skills to access relevant scholarship and conduct art historical research as necessary;

  • Structure extended pieces of written work and present arguments clearly and effectively;

  • Demonstrate self-direction, originality and ability to act autonomously through successfully completing an independent research project;

  • Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and tackle and solve problems independently;

  • Contribute constructively within an international environment, exercising initiative, personal responsibility and demonstrating independent learning ability.


Continuing

To be eligible to proceed to doctoral study following the MPhil in Global History of Art and Architecture, students must achieve an overall average of 70% or above across all summative assessments of the degree. Continuation is also subject to the approval of the proposed PhD research proposal and the availability and willingness of an appropriate Supervisor. There is no automatic continuation from MPhil to PhD study: candidates are required to formally apply to the PhD programme and spaces are limited.


Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

  • Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

  • Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.

Apply Now

Key Information


9 months full-time

18 months part-time

Study Mode : Taught

Master of Philosophy

Faculty of Architecture and History of Art

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
July 1, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2026

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
May 14, 2026
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2026

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 7, 2026
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas , Lent and Easter .


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