MA in Contemporary Art

Academic Structure

The Master’s degree is awarded for 120 taught credits across two semesters, as well as the completion of a 60-credit dissertation over the course of an additional semester. The first two semesters are intensively taught on four (occasionally five) days per week. In the first semester, Art Futures (15 Credits) brings students from different MAs together for an exploration of the art world of the future, with particular emphasis on technology, sustainability, inclusion and the politics of cultural property (restitution). In Professional Practice (15 credits) students are introduced to professional art world skills and career options and to a variety of research methodologies within the field of contemporary art. During the program, specialist electives can be chosen from across all Institute Master’s programs, allowing a student to build a personalized Master’s profile. Students take two 15-credit electives across a variety of offerings for deeper expertise or to develop specialties.

Core units (60 credits) for the Contemporary Art degree cover the period from 1968 to the present. Students complete a range of assignments during the program that are designed to help them become sophisticated graduates with high caliber academic and vocational skills and knowledge, preparing them for success in their careers.

All students will be involved in assignments that simulate “real world” tasks, projects, and scenarios; for example, exhibition reviews, collection/catalog entries, and planning for a hypothetical exhibition or journal. For the MA degree, students must complete the 60-credit dissertation in their third semester.

View required courses and electives here.

Tuition and Fees

Note: Fees are subject to annual review

Home*

Total Programme Fee: £31,600 (includes deposit of £3,000.00) plus travel fee (see below)

International 

Total Programme Fee: £40,769 (includes deposit of £3,000) plus travel fee (see below)

*Circumstances that may entitle you to a “home” fee status include:

• you have settled or pre-settled status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme
• you are from the Republic of Ireland and living in the UK prior to December 31, 2020
• you are British but live in the EU
• you hold dual citizenship with the UK and live in the UK

Travel Fee: £3,900

Travel fees are mandatory. They cover all mandatory study trips outside of London, including transportation from the departure hub (airport or train station) to the destination, and all transportation, entry tickets and 3 or 4 star accommodation at the destination during the trip. Where the accommodation includes breakfast, this is covered by the fee. Otherwise all expenses for meals and other costs are the responsibility of the student.

Frequently Asked Questions

From visa information for international students to course credits, find answers on our FAQ page. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, contact an Admissions counselor.

Student Policies

Explore our library of academic and campus policies here. All students who enroll for graduate study must agree to the Terms and Conditions upon accepting their offer of admittance.

Enterprise Studio

The Enterprise Studio was created as an extra-curricular program for Master’s students to receive training and support for new business ventures, culminating in a start-up pitch competition, the Gavel. Through close access to mentors, students have the chance to shape their plans from ideation to execution with the winning Gavel team receiving significant seed funding for their future business.