Art History (Taught)

5th in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

10th in the UK for History of Art (The Guardian University Guide 2025)

97% of our research overall in Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

About the course
At Sussex, we believe art history matters and continues to be significant in today’s society. It gives us a unique lens to examine historical events and cultures.

This MA includes hands-on workshops and interactive sessions using the rich resources held in The Keep, Brighton’s world-class centre for archives. We also have partnerships with local and national museums and collections. These include the V&A, the National Portrait Gallery, Historic Royal Palaces, the National Trust, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and Charleston – giving you access to expertise, art objects and research materials.

You’ll examine:

• art’s place in 20th-century visual culture

• museums and heritage

• feminism and queer studies

• criticism and the media.

You’ll be taught by professional curators as well as leading academics with established reputations for research. This means we can offer you expert guidance as you work on your own research, relevant to academia as well as the cultural and creative sectors beyond. On graduation, you’ll have the skills for both professional work and further study. Previous graduates having gone on to roles within prestigious institutions such as the British Museum, Soka Art Centre and Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA).

About Sussex
Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

Location
Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

Please check our website for the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.