Course overview

UCA's new MA in Art Writing is designed to help you become an expert in the conceptual and analytic understanding of contemporary art.

Through small group seminar teaching at UCA Canterbury, you will use writing as your tool to articulate ideas, analytic methods and research projects – whether it's a short review, an essay, a draft document or a longer analytical study. The skills you will gain on this course will intensively prepare you for doctoral study (available at UCA), as well as for working professionally and strategically in cultural institutions of all kinds, and engaging with participants and organizations in all sectors of the global art world.

You’ll develop a deep and independent theoretical understanding of contemporary art and its interactive relationship to decolonial ideas and practices. You will be introduced to critical research methodologies, which you'll employ as you undertake an independent research project.

The course runs alongside our MA Fine Art course and there will be many opportunities to meet other students, develop collaborative projects and form a professional network that will give you a strong foundation on which to build or extend your career ambitions.

Please note, the MA course is suspended for September 2023 and January 2024 entry.

 

Course entry options

Select from the options below to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year, which is based at UCA Farnham.

On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.

Over the course of your year, you will engage in research and intense discourse about contemporary art in the post-colonial era. Your units will be as follows:

  • Research Methodologies
  • Exploring ideas
  • Research development
  • Final project

 

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Fees & financial support

Fees &
financial support

Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry

UK students (full-time):

  • MA course - £10,500

UK students (part-time):

  • MA course - £5,250

EU students:

International students:

  • Integrated International Pre-Masters course (30 weeks) - £17,500
  • Integrated International Pre-Masters course (15 weeks) - £8,750
  • MA course - £18,000

Further information
The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to please see our fees and finance pages. 

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources.

Discover what support you might qualify for please see our financial support information

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of scholarships and fee discounts available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

You'll find everything you need to know for your level of study on our scholarships page.

Additional course costs
In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make.  

Facilities

At UCA Canterbury you'll have everything you need for your studies - three fully-equipped digital media suites with the latest Macs and PCs running up-to-date software, extensive library resources on-site and across all UCA campuses, and access to our fine art studios for collaborative work.

View 360 virtual tour

Fine Art studios, UCA Canterbury

Library, UCA Canterbury

Fine Art studios, UCA Canterbury

Digital media suites, UCA Canterbury

Career
opportunities

Graduates of the MA Art Writing programme might expect to continue their career journey in a number of different roles. including:

  • Digital art copywriter
  • Art critic
  • Journalist
  • Art curator
  • Fine art co-ordinator
  • Studio manager
  • Content creator
  • Research executive.

You may want to undertake further study or research to specialise even more.

Entry & portfolio requirements

Entry & portfolio
requirements

MA course

  • A good honours degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline

and/or

  • Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.

Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your written or visual portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

More portfolio advice

MA course

The entry requirements for this course will depend on the country your qualifications are from, please check the equivalent qualifications for your country:

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your written or visual portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.


MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course

  • A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your written or visual portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.


English language requirements

To study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability, please chcek the level of English language required:

Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?

You may be able to enter the course through the following entry pathways:

Apply now

Please use the following fields to help select the right application link for you:

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