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MPhil in the History of Art and Architecture

The Department of History of Art and Architecture at Trinity offers a distinctive and exciting taught Masters programme in the history of art and architecture with a focus on developing your advanced skills as an independent researcher. Situated in the centre of Dublin a short walk from the major collections of the capital city, and surrounded by world class college collections on campus, the MPhil offers a wide range of taught modules that make use of these outstanding collections that are usually inaccessible to the public.

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Who are we?

The Department of History of Art and Architecture is the oldest in the country, situated in the heart of the capital city with its important collections at our doorstep. Our research active faculty teach a range of specialised courses to MPhil students, drawing from their own specialisms. You can read more about who will be teaching you and their research here:
About Us
Research Interests

Is this course for me?

Available on a full-time or part-time basis, the MPhil is aimed at students with a primary degree in the history of art or related discipline. The title of the MPhil ‘Art + Ireland’ reflects the degree’s focus on both Irish and non-Irish art and architecture held in collections in Ireland, providing students with an exciting range of possible avenues for primary research. Students are asked to think critically about the interpretation of objects using a range of methodological approaches. The programme culminates with students producing a dissertation with the supervision and support of assigned members of staff.

Awards and Scholarships

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships are awarded to high calibre students from non-EEA countries to study in Ireland for a period of one year. They provide a €10,000 stipend towards living costs and Trinity provides a full fee-waiver to recipients for one year. Further information is available here https://www.tcd.ie/study/international/scholarships/Postgraduate/goi.php and here https://hea.ie/2021/12/02/government-of-ireland-international-education-scholarships-2022/. The deadline for applications is 25 March 2022 for enrolment in September 2022 and applicants must have a conditional or final offer of a place in hand at the time of application. In order to allow time for your application for a place on the MPhil to be considered and for you then to apply for this scholarship, we recommend submitting your application to the MPhil by 4 February 2022.

All applicants will automatically be considered for the following internal awards:

The Constantia Maxwell Faculty Studentship, with a value of 3000 euro, is usually offered to a student in any of the School's MPhil programmes (to be confirmed for 2022-23).
The School of Histories and Humanities also offers one bursary of 1000 euro, to be deducted from the course fees, for each of its MPhil programmes.

Awards will be made on academic merit. All completed applications with an unconditional offer by the deadline of June 30th will be considered for the internal awards.

Course Structure

Full-time option

Taken as a full-time course, the M.Phil. lasts for 12 months, starting in September. Teaching is spread over 24 weeks from September to the following April. Students then complete a dissertation, which is submitted in August. The course consists of a combination of compulsory and optional components that together make up the 90 ECTS expected for full-time study over one academic year at Masters Level.

Part-time option

Students taking the course on a part-time basis do so over two years. In the first year students take Research Methods in Art History and two Options modules. In the second year students take an additional two Options modules and complete the dissertation. All classes take place Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 18.00.