History of Art (Master)
Source: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/history-of-art-master/ Parent: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/
© Universität Wien
Graduates of this master’s programme are familiar with the scope and methods of the discipline and are able to carry out independent research in the field of art history, going beyond the level acquired during the bachelor’s programme. They are able to define topics of art history in a meaningful way, formulate research questions and hypotheses, define the objectives of their academic research and achieve these objectives by critically analysing the relevant specialist literature.
Students have to complete courses in the following areas:
- Medieval art history (late antiquity/Middle Ages)
- Early modern art history (early modern period)
- Modern art history (modern period
- Contemporary art
- Central European art history
- Byzantine art history
- Islamic art history
- Asian art history
Master of Arts
Degree Programme Code: 066 835
4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits
Language: German
NO entrance examination
Facts & Figures
- Students: 611
- Graduates in the last academic year: 49
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): 9,2
Data updated on: 26.11.2025
Information about presentation & calculation
Attention
Instruction Language German
Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on C1 level.
Admission Procedure
Information about the admission procedure
Admission requirement:
- completion of an eligible degree programme
- PLUS qualitative admission requirements
Information on Previous Studies:
In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:
Getting started
Orientation in the first semester
Getting Informed
Students' Representatives Art History
Study Programme
The master’s programme consists of eleven compulsory modules: Specialisation I-III, field trips “Austria in its Historical Context” and “Beyond Austria”, Practical Applications of History of Art and Architecture, Methods/Theory, Emphasis: History of Art and Architecture, Individual Focus, as well as the compulsory modules Master’s Thesis and the Colloquium for Master’s Students.
Five Concepts
which you will deal with during your studies:
- Reception of images
- Art literature
- Field trip
- Contemporary art
- Curate
... and many more.
Overview of the programme structure & topics
Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.
M 1: Specialisation I (10 ECTS)
M 2: Specialisation II (10 ECTS)
M 3: Specialisation III (10 ECTS)
M 4: Field Trip: Austria in its Historical Context (5 ECTS)
M 5: Field Trip: Beyond Austria
M 6: Preparation for the Master’s Thesis (5 ECTS)
M 7: Practical Applications of History of Art and Architecture (5 ECTS)
M 9: Emphasis: History of Art and Architecture (15 ECTS)
M 10: Individual Focus (15 ECTS)
M 11: Master’s Thesis (5 ECTS)
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After Graduation
The specialised knowledge and intellectual competences acquired during the master's programme qualify students for activities in academia or for activities that require academic expertise:
- at universities and research institutions
- at museums, galleries and in the area of communication of the arts
- in the area of art criticism
- in the area of monument preservation and cultural heritage protection
- in art trade
- in publishing
- in cultural management
- at archives
- in the area of cultural policy.
Continuing after Graduation
- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- Alumni of the University of Vienna
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna
Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme
#### Degree programme in retrospect
Graduates ...
- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 2.2 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 3.7 (high)
→ These results are based on feedback from 50 graduates.
*You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of the master's programme in History of Art (in German).
Graduates ...
- find employment within 2 months after graduation on average.
*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "MA History of Art".