MPhil/PhD in History of Art (2025 Entry)

Course code

P-V4P0

Start date

29 September 2025

Duration

4 years full-time;
Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

History of Art

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-V4P0

Start date

29 September 2025

Duration

4 years full-time;
Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

MPhil/PhD

Led by

History of Art

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

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Find out more about our History of Art MPhil/PhD

Undertake original research on the MPhil/PhD in History of Art at the University of Warwick. Ranked in the top 10 (The Guardian University Guide 2024, The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024), Warwick's History of Art department offers you an advanced research degree with supervision from world-leading experts.

Course overview

The MPhil/PhD in History of Art is an advanced research degree, consisting of original research and engagement with current scholarship. It is awarded on the basis of successful completion of an individual research thesis of 80,000 words (60,000 words for MPhil) and an oral examination. In addition to working closely with your supervisors, you will be involved in our vibrant research culture, which includes regular seminars, workshops, symposia and reading groups, and the PGR Research Collective, which allows PhD students to organise their own research programme.

Find a supervisor

Research proposal guidance

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in History of Art or related subjects and a Master’s in History of Art or a related subject.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Research themes

Our research

Areas for PhD supervision and examples of current research interests of the department’s academic researchers include:

European Medieval (including British)
Renaissance and Early Modern Art, Architecture and Material Culture
British Art and Architecture from the 18th to 21st Centuries
Colonial Art and Empire
Historiography, Theory and Aesthetics
American Art
Scandinavian Art
Exhibition and Display
Sex, Sexuality and Gender
Environmentalism and Ecology
Video and Performance Art
Russian, Soviet and Eastern European Art
Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism
Craft and Design
Art of the Global South (Africa, South Asia, Latin America)
Environmental humanities
Art and politics

Supervisors and proposals

Find a supervisor

Please establish whether the department will be able to supervise and support your research. You will probably already have in mind a member of staff who works in your field as a potential supervisor. However, if you are unsure whether our department has the necessary expertise to supervise your project you should:

Check our staff research pagesLink opens in a new window

Contact our Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Michael Hatt, who will be very happy to advise on whether we can support your research and, if so, will put you in touch with a potential supervisor

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.Link opens in a new window

Research proposals

Candidates must have sufficient knowledge of their intended thesis topic to be able to provide a detailed research proposal (2000 words in length) as part of their application.

The proposal should outline the key research questions to be addressed and the provisional scope and structure of the project. This will enable us to assess your preparedness for PGR study and whether we shall be able to supervise your research. 

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department

History of Art at Warwick

Take the perspective that brings you closer

The History of Art department covers a wide range of research from the medieval to the contemporary, from Britain and Europe to the Global South, and across media including art, architecture, design and craft, moving image, and material culture. We work with cutting-edge approaches and themes including environmentalism, cryptography, empire, materiality, and theories of display and spectatorship. Our Venice programme offers a wide range of opportunities for teaching and learning, and is central to our research culture.

Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website.Link opens in a new window

Our courses

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How to apply checklist

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application

Read the checklist

I'm ready to apply

Learn more about the Applicant Portal.

Apply now

Application deadlines

The application process for course that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2026 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2026. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

Useful links

Applicant portal
After your applied
Admissions statement
Join a Live Chat

2024 entry

Department content block about careers

Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

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Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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MPhil/PhD in History of Art (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our History of Art MPhil/PhD

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

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Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

Page updates

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