Masters Degrees in History of Art, Architecture & Design, Netherlands

The Research Master's programme in Art History is devoted to the art and architecture of the Low Countries (Netherlands and Belgium) from the late Middle Ages to the present day.

The two-year Research Master's programme in Art History focuses on the art and architecture of the Low Countries (present-day Netherlands and Belgium), and spans the period from the late Middle Ages to the present day. You will study Netherlandish art and architecture, taking into account their international context. We invite you to critically reflect on the production of art and architecture, and the role of patronage; investigate the reasons why so many artist went abroad, and how they became agents in the international diffusion of art theory, style, and repertoire.

You will also have the opportunity to study other specific subjects that align with your own personal interests. Our close ties with major art museums and other cultural organisations both in the Netherlands and abroad mean that the academic and practical work are closely linked.

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What is the societal and academic significance of 'art', 'heritage' and 'culture'? Why do we value certain works of art, heritage or cultural practices and not others? How do different ways of interpreting and presenting the arts and cultural heritage affect our ideas about the past, present and future? If you are interested in finding the answers to questions like these, and you have a passion for art and cultural heritage, the master’s programme Arts and Heritage: Policy, Management and Education might be the right choice for you.

In this programme, which you can choose to follow in English or Dutch, you'll develop the academic and professional knowledge and skills you will need to become a policy maker, art manager, museum curator or educator. This internationally-oriented programme approaches art and cultural heritage from different perspectives. You will also have plenty of opportunities to concentrate on your specific areas of interest.

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The master History of Architecture and Town Planning (Healthy Cities, new Perspectives on History and Theory of Architecture and Town Planning) explores the evolution of cities, villages and landscapes in Europe within the framework of changing geopolitical conditions at the global scale.

Are you interested how architecture and urbanism can improve our conditions, and how they contribute to public health? Wish to gain knowledge about the global dimension of architectural and urban theories and practices? Starting with a profound historical overview, this Master prepares students for an active role in debates and policy making processes involved in the renaissance of the European city. It analyzes physical and spatial phenomena as historical documents conveying the motives underlying their continuous changes, as instruments to pursue specific policies, and as works of art. Starting with the Enlightenment, and paying attention to issues related to public health, the program investigates tensions between global and local, gaps between formal and informal, the post-socialist condition in former Eastern Europe, and architectural and urban strategies aiming at sustainable living conditions and their historical precursors. Part of the courses is provided by the Thomassen a Thuessink Chair, a joint venture of Groningen University Medical Center, the University of Groningen and Delft University of Technology; the chair focuses on the public health dimension of urban interventions.

Job perspectives

The master opens a myriad of career opportunities, in the Netherlands and abroad, as has been proved over the years. For instance:
- jobs in the field of urban history and consultancy for municipal agencies and scientific institutions
- jobs for private or public architectural and urban platforms
- jobs in the field of journalism and public relations
- the master prepares students for a scientific career
- jobs as advisors for healthcare institutions

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Do you want to be well prepared for a career in the world of the Visual Arts? The Master Program in Art History offers all the knowledge and expertise that you need.

The one-year Master Program in Art History offers courses in Western art from the late Middle Ages to the present. The program is committed to historical as well as theoretical depth. Students are also trained with an eye to their post-graduate career prospects. We offer internships in major museums throughout the Netherlands and abroad, as well as an excursion to a major European metropolis.

Why Groningen?

Combination of historical and theoretical depth. Faculty specialized in the fields of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, Northern Renaissance and Baroque art, including pre-modern globalization, the art of the Enlightenment, twentieth-century art, art criticism, new media, and materials and techniques.

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