History of Art (MPhil/PhD)

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, preferably with Distinction.

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 two academic references for research degrees.

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

Applicants will be asked to attend an online interview to assess their suitability for the course.

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
• 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

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, Dr Otto Saumarez-Smith, 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 research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:

• Access to research material that is not available via university resources
• Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

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, which is central to our research culture offers a wide range of research opportunities for our PGR students. 

Get to know us better by exploring our departmental website. 

Our courses

• History of Art (MA by Research)
• History of Art (MPhil/PhD)