# Theory and History of Arts

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/theory-and-history-arts
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate

50.04.03 
*In Russian*

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

With additional qualification 'Museum Collections Curator'

Programme description

- The master's degree programme 'Theory and History of Arts' (with the additional qualification of 'Museum Collections Curator') integrates both theoretical and practical components, enabling graduates to navigate global art discourse, its historical evolution, and contemporary developments. A distinctive feature of the programme is its conceptualisation of global art history through the lens of artistic dialogue between Russia, Europe, and the East, while simultaneously examining the growing relevance of national identity within the context of globalisation. Graduates of the programme will possess the necessary competencies to address specific research challenges, leveraging experience gained through theoretical coursework, museum and field placements, and practical training at partner organisations
- Upon completion of the programme, graduates are awarded with additional qualification diploma of 'Museum Collections Curator'

Main courses

- Methodology of Arts History
- Theory of Arts
- Philosophy of Arts
- Russian Art and European Schools
- The Study and Preservation of Cultural Heritage: History, Modernity, and Development Strategies
- Contemporary Art: Concepts, History and Typolog
- Contemporary Research in Art History
- Supportive Courses in History in the Contemporary Practices of Humanities
- Private Collections and Public Museums: History and Modernity

##### **Elective courses****:**

- Hindi for Beginners. Part 1 (Online Course)
- Hindi for Beginners. Part 2 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language for Beginners. Part 1 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language for Beginners. Part 2 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language: 5 Steps to Success. Part 1 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language: 5 Steps to Success. Part 2 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language: 5 Steps to Success. Part 3 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language: 5 Steps to Success. Part 4 (Online Course)
- Chinese Language: 5 Steps to Success. Part 5 (Online Course)
- Adapting and Studying at the University (eLearning)
- University. Intro to Corporate Ethics (Online Course)
- Intellectual Property Law in Digital Age (Online Course)

Our advantages

- The programme is dedicated to the nurturing of art historians, equipping them with highly developed analytical and research-oriented thinking, and providing mastery of the methodological tools of modern art history and related disciplines. Our master's graduates possess the full spectrum of knowledge and skills required to meet the main demands of a wide range of professions, enabling them to compete successfully in the labour market. They are thus prepared to successfully apply their acquired academic and practical skills across a diverse spectrum of professional spheres, including research, museum and curatorial work, exhibition design, the gallery and antiquarian trades, and tour guidance. Furthermore, extensive engagement with potential employers enables graduates to adapt proficiently to the contemporary conditions of the employment market
- Furthermore, in the course of completing the educational programme, students will attain the additional qualification of 'Museum Collections Curator'

Teaching staff

- E. Khodakovsky – Doctor of Art History, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of the History of Russian Art at St. Petersburg State University. He is a winner of the nationwide Vladimir Potanin Foundation competition 'Young Lecturer of Russia', a certified expert of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and a specialist in the history of Russian architecture, Russian wooden architecture, the wooden architecture of Scandinavia, and the art of the Russian North
- I. Antipov – Candidate of Sciences (Art History), Associate Professor. He is a certified expert of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and a laureate of the Government of the Russian Federation Award (2015)
- A. Rykov – Doctor of Philosophy, Candidate of Sciences in Art History, Professor. He ranks among the most prominent specialists in the study of contemporary art, art theory, and the philosophy of art. He is the author of numerous articles and monographs and has held visiting professorships at a number of foreign universities
- M. Yevsevyev – Candidate of Sciences in History, Associate Professor. He is a specialist in the history of Russian art of the 19th and 20th centuries, and the author of numerous publications of source materials on the history of Russian art
- E. Skvortsova – Candidate of Sciences in Art History, Associate Professor. She is a specialist in the history of 18th-century Russian art and Russian-European artistic relations. She has led research grants funded by the Russian Science Foundation (2017-2019) and the Russian Presidential grant programme for young Candidates of Sciences (2019-2020)
- A. Morozova – Doctor of Cultural Studies, Candidate of Sciences in Art History, an Associate Professor. She is a specialist in Western European art of the 15th–17th centuries, with a particular focus on the art of Spain, as well as in the historiography of art history

Main areas of research

- Methodology of Arts History
- Arts Theory
- Philosophy of Arts
- Russian Art within the European Schools
- Study and Preservation of Cultural Heritage: History, Modernity, and Development Strategies
- History and Practice of Art Criticism
- Contemporary Arts: Concepts, History, and Typology
- Modern Arts History

Career opportunities

##### **Placements**

The programme incorporates museum, teaching, and field-based (architectural familiarisation) placements. The field training is conducted at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in the architectural and archaeological field trainings organised by St. Petersburg State University.

##### **Professions**

- Art Critic
- Auction House Expert
- Arts Communications Manager
- Gallery Management Expert
- Museum Researcher
- Museum Guide
- Researcher
- Teacher
- Publishing and Editorial House Specialist
- Journalist
- Cultural Commentator / Publicist

##### **Organisations where our graduates work**

- The State Hermitage Museum
- The State Russian Museum
- Peterhof State Museum-Reserve
- Pavlovsk State Museum and Heritage Site
- Tsarskoye Selo State Museum and Heritage Site
- The State Museum of the History of St Petersburg
- Museum of the History of Religion
- Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art
- St. Petersburg State University
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Higher education institutions in Russia and abroad

[This webpage may contain outdated information. The programme descriptions and admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year are currently being updated. For the latest information on 2026/2027 admission, please visit the Admissions Office website.](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/en/)

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