Application deadline
Friday 30 August 2024 for September 2024 entry
Applicants should apply as early as possible.
Entry requirements
- A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV or résumé (which should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date)
- personal statement (500 words)
- sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The Digital Art History course is an online self-paced programme, with options to study for a PGCert, PGDip, or MLitt.
Highlights
- First degree programme in Digital Art History in the UK
- Delivered jointly by the School of Art History and the School of Computer Science
- Flexible and fully online
Modules
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.
Students studying for a PGCert take three modules in Art History and one module in Computer Science from the following.
Those studying for a PGDip take five modules in Art History and three modules in Computer Science from the following.
Those studying for an MLitt take five modules in Art History, three modules in Computer Science and a dissertation or final project from the following.
- Introduction to Digital Art History and the Humanities: introduces the key issues, themes, and ideas relating to Digital Art History.
- Programming in Python: introduces and revises modelling, design and implementation in Python.
- Digital art – from computer-generated projects to artificial intelligence: analyses the ways in which artists, archivists, curators, and other museum professionals have implemented digital tools, materials and methodologies.
- Digital tools – visualisation, interpretation and analysis: studies the key digital tools available to art historians and the ways in which they can facilitate (or limit) our analysis, interpretation, and visualisation of art historical data.
- Project work – theory: will challenge students to critically analyse the methodological choices made by digital art historians. A series of major research projects will serve as case studies, allowing students to explore how the theories and approaches central to the disciplines of Digital Humanities and Art History work in practice.
- Project work – data analysis: requires students to design and develop their own research project based on a given data set drawn from the University’s Special Collections.
- Data and information visualisation: focuses on the question of how to utilise visual representations to make information accessible for exploration and analysis.
- Machine learning algorithms: covers the essential theory and algorithms, including mathematical foundations, and methodological approaches, using a variety of regression, classification and unsupervised approaches.
- Complex systems modelling and simulation: introduces a range of techniques and their applications to different classes of problems, with a practical focus on modern network-based models and simulation.
- Discrete optimization: covers the theory, tools and technologies developed and used to solve problems in Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization.
- Data-driven systems: is an advanced research-focused module that presents the foundations of distributed systems and techniques that process data.
- Numeric optimization: takes linear algebra and optimization as the primary topics of interest and solutions to machine learning problems as the applications of the resulting tools, techniques and algorithms.
- Research methods in data science: introduces the skills necessary for the planning, data gathering, data analysis and dissemination stages of data science research.
- Knowledge discovery and datamining: covers many of the methods found under the banner of ‘datamining’, building from a theoretical perspective but ultimately teaching practical application.
Dissertation or final project
Following the successful completion of the coursework, MLitt students undertake a dissertation module of 60 credits (15,000 words). The dissertation should demonstrate an element of independent thinking or originality of thought in the establishment of the argument and be based upon clearly founded research, analysis and interpretation. It should demonstrate the organisational and presentation qualities required for academic work.
The dissertation can follow the traditional route of a 15,000-word thesis, or can be delivered via an alternative format structure of a 10,000-word thesis plus 5000-word related digital project. Students can expect to meet with their supervisors at least three times during the research and writing of their dissertations and to make appropriate arrangements for the submission of drafts and timely feedback.
Teaching
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical work. A self-led approach is taken, with students accessing modules and components at a pace and on a timetable that suits their work and study environment.
Most modules are assessed through coursework exercises, presentations and tests.
Fees
- MLitt (three years) £18,000 (charged £6000 per year of study)
- PGDip (two years) £12,000 (charged £6000 per year of study)
- PGCert (one year) £6,000
Fees will be charged evenly across each academic year, based on the maximum length of study confirmed for your specific programme. For example an MLitt student will be charged £6000 per year for a three year period.
Students completing in a shorter length of time will have fees adjusted at relevant points in their programme so that the full fee has been charged prior to completion.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
15% Recent Graduate Discount
If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.
After your degree
Careers
Alumni of the School of Art History have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, financial, and research institutions, including:
- BBC
- British Library
- Christie’s
- Country Life magazine
- Legal and General
- National Museums Scotland
- Phaidon Press
- Royal Archives
- Sotheby’s
- Tiffany and Co
- Vertigo Films
- The Week magazine
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
Many graduates of the School of Arts and Humanities continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.
Postgraduate researchWhat to do next
Information sessions
Meet our staff, learn more, and ask questions about how our courses can work for you.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2150
- admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Art History
79 North Street
St Andrews
KY16 9AL