History of Art and Architecture GradCert
Birkbeck, University of London

Key Course Facts
Course Description
The Graduate Certificate in History of Art and Architecture is an intensive conversion course designed for students with a first degree in another subject who wish to pursue a Master's degree in the history of art or architecture.
On this course, you will gain the chance to work closely with internationally recognised experts who are defining the field conducting ground-breaking research in periods from medieval to contemporary and focusing on painting, sculpture, print culture, architecture, photography, digital art and museology. Our History of Art and Architecture Graduate Certificate is also enriched by museum and site visits, visiting speakers and screenings.
Over the course of the Certificate you will develop skills of visual analysis, critical thinking, academic writing and research experience that will prepare you to embark on further postgraduate study, for example our MA History of Art, MA History of Architecture, MA History of Photography, MA History of Art with Curating or MA Museum Cultures.
If you wish to pursue a full-time course at this level, for example if you require a student visa, you can apply for our Graduate Diploma in History of Art and Architecture. Please contact us if you are unsure about what level of study would best suit you.
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.
- You can attend a wide range of events, including the Postgraduate Research Seminar, which brings art historians from all over the UK and beyond to speak at Birkbeck; the biennial Murray Lecture; the Murray Seminar on Medieval and Renaissance Art; the exhibitions and displays at Birkbeck's Peltz Gallery, and events at the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities.
Find out more about our staff and student activities on the Birkbeck History of Art blog or join us at one of our information evenings, held throughout the year.
- You will have access to an incredible range of resources, including the Birkbeck Library and our in-house resources centre, the British Library, specialist libraries at the University of London, Courtauld Institute of Art, Royal Institute of British Architects and V&A, as well as the visual resources of the British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, V&A, Barbican Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Hayward Gallery and Royal Academy, and many commercial galleries and salesrooms.
- We encourage you to become involved in our lively research culture through the History and Theory of Photography Research Centre, the Architecture, Space and Society Centre and the Vasari Research Centre, which has pioneered the field of digital art history.
- You will have the option to join our study trips, offered each spring. Cities visited in the last few years include Florence, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Rome, Berlin and Moscow.
Careers and employability
Graduates can pursue career paths in the creative arts, media and education. Possible professions include:
- museum/gallery curator
- arts administrator
- advertising account executive
- community arts worker
- multimedia specialist
- higher education lecturer.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Mphil / PhD
A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification.
If you do not already hold a first degree, but believe that you are a suitable candidate for the Graduate Certificate through other experience and educational achievements, please contact the admissions tutor.
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Costs
Tuition Fees History of Art and Architecture GradCert
England UK | £3600 | year 1 |
---|---|---|
Northern Ireland | £3600 | year 1 |
Scotland | £3600 | year 1 |
Wales | £3600 | year 1 |
International | £6610 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Average student cost of living in London
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
of Birkbeck, University of London
among 379 universities in England UK
based on 21 different rankings
Positions of Birkbeck, University of London in top UK and global rankings.
See all 21 university rankings of Birkbeck, University of London
About Birkbeck, University of London
List of 197 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birkbeck, University of London - Course Catalogue
Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London
-
Total number of students enrolled at Birkbeck, University of London by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 4800
- postgraduates:
- 2810
- Total:
- 7610
Where is this programme taught



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FAQ about History of Art and Architecture GradCert Birkbeck, University of London
- Tuition fees for this programme are 3600 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- History of Art and Architecture GradCert is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at Birkbeck, University of London.