Master of Arts in Art History 12 months Postgraduate Programme By The University of Hong Kong |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 12QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

36,171 Tuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

30 May, 2025Application Deadline

Programme overview

Main Subject

Art History

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The academic discipline of “Art History” teaches students to understand the significance of works of art in their historical contexts. Art history should not be equated with art appreciation or art criticism, activities that seek mainly to evaluate and explain the relative “beauty” or “value” of an artwork through discussion of form and subjective experience. Rather, art historians engage in critical, historical inquiry into the meaning and function of visual media. Art history teaches visual literacy which helps practitioners to recognize the ways in which images communicate and shape human perceptions about history, society, politics, religion and culture. An active interest in and/or familiarity with major historical epochs and events as well as the methods of historical inquiry and research is therefore necessary for anyone considering the study of art history.



Why study a MA in Art History?



Our HKU Master of Arts in Art History (MAAH) programme is the first MA in Hong Kong to focus on art history. Our unique programme delivers research-based teaching by world-class scholars, and is designed to empower students to acquire specialized knowledge and skills for further academic study, professional careers in the arts or other related creative industries.



It is important to understand that our programme is not primarily a curatorial studies programme, nor does it focus on navigating the art market. We do include training in a number of curatorial skills that are essential for work in museums and galleries, but these are just part of the larger academic curriculum, which emphasizes art historical research, theory, and writing.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Art History

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The academic discipline of “Art History” teaches students to understand the significance of works of art in their historical contexts. Art history should not be equated with art appreciation or art criticism, activities that seek mainly to evaluate and explain the relative “beauty” or “value” of an artwork through discussion of form and subjective experience. Rather, art historians engage in critical, historical inquiry into the meaning and function of visual media. Art history teaches visual literacy which helps practitioners to recognize the ways in which images communicate and shape human perceptions about history, society, politics, religion and culture. An active interest in and/or familiarity with major historical epochs and events as well as the methods of historical inquiry and research is therefore necessary for anyone considering the study of art history.



Why study a MA in Art History?



Our HKU Master of Arts in Art History (MAAH) programme is the first MA in Hong Kong to focus on art history. Our unique programme delivers research-based teaching by world-class scholars, and is designed to empower students to acquire specialized knowledge and skills for further academic study, professional careers in the arts or other related creative industries.



It is important to understand that our programme is not primarily a curatorial studies programme, nor does it focus on navigating the art market. We do include training in a number of curatorial skills that are essential for work in museums and galleries, but these are just part of the larger academic curriculum, which emphasizes art historical research, theory, and writing.

Admission Requirements

93+
3+
64+

30 May 2025
1 Year

  • Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
  • Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Domestic
36,171
International
36,171

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