Art History Graduate Certificate - level 6

This art history course, from which you will gain either a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, is designed to introduce you to the study of art history, particularly if you are a graduate from another discipline. It will prepare you for postgraduate study if you wish to pursue your studies further in this area, and will deepen your understanding of this fascinating subject.

Why choose this course?

* This course is taught by world-leading researchers who will support and challenge you as you develop as an art historian.

* It will strengthen your understanding of the visual arts and its expression of ideas and values in different times and places.

* It will enable you to gain high-level academic experience to continue on to postgraduate courses in art history, and has previously provided a swift and successful route for students with degrees already in science, social science and other humanities disciplines.

What will I learn?

On this course, you will engage with the visual, material and cultural attributes of art objects across a range of different media and contexts.

Your studies begin with a core module that introduces you to the key skills and approaches of the art historian. You will then be able to tailor your course choosing from specialist-led option modules that allow you to focus on a particular period of interest in more depth.

Through your coursework choices, you will have the opportunity to develop your own research project and your own voice as an art historian.

How will I learn?

You will be taught via interactive lectures and seminars supported by rich online resources via our virtual learning environment. You will also be supported by a personal tutor and will have access to additional learning development covering everything from IT skills to academic writing.

This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening.

Highlights

* Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

* Our Gordon Square building - once home to members of the Bloomsbury Group - houses the Jo Spence Archive and Peltz Gallery and hosts the leading journal *History of Photography*. Our research centres, including the Centre for Museum Cultures and the Murray Centre for History of Art, Architecture and Photography, play a crucial role in generating and disseminating new knowledge.

* We offer information evenings for students interested in our history of art courses throughout the year. As well as regular gallery and museum visits, we offer an exciting study trip abroad every spring.

* We have bursary funding available from our annual application to the Royal Female School of Art Foundation, which supports undergraduate students experiencing short-term financial hardship.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating with either a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Art History, you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:

* a sophisticated use of written and spoken English

* highly developed visual skills

* an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying complex theories

* collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented assignments and fluent critical arguments.

Graduates can pursue careers in a variety of fields, including:

* the museums and heritage sectors

* arts management

* conservation and policy

* arts publishing and media

* research and academia.

Jobs gained by some of our graduates include:

* Head of Learning, Design Museum

* Curator, Schools Programmes, Tate Modern

* Curatorial Assistant, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

* Curatorial Officer, National Army Museum

* Head of Campaign Management, Science Museum

* Curator, Handel House Museum

* Head Curator, National Maritime Museum

* Director, Foundling Museum

* Curator, British Art 1850-1915, Tate Britain.