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History at UEA
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Find out moreMA The Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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UEA is ranked 3rd overall for research quality in History
Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisCourse Overview
Why MA Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas at UEA?
Join our unique graduate community, dedicated to understanding and researching indigenous artistic practices across the globe. Develop your research skills through assignments that address real-world challenges.
Why choose UEA?
- Learn alongside specialists: Become part of an active research community
- Excellent facilities: Use your own workspace in the Sainsbury Centre and access a specialist library
- Global network: Connect with alumni and researchers working in museums and cultural institutions worldwide
What is MA Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas?
This unique interdisciplinary MA immerses you in the artistic practices of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, past and present. You’ll learn from leading scholars at the globally renowned Sainsbury Research Unit(opens in a new window).
You’ll work directly with objects in the Sainsbury Centre(opens in a new window), gaining hands-on experience with world-class collections. Alongside specialist topics and artistic traditions, you’ll examine art, artefacts, and material culture through anthropology, art history, and archaeology.
You’ll explore the practical and ethical questions shaping museums today, from collecting and display to curating. Through museum visits and your dissertation, you’ll build the confidence and research skills to pursue your own specialist interests.
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Careers
Career Pathways
With a MA Arts of Africa, Oceania and the America degree, you could launch a career as a:
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Museum Curator: Develop exhibitions and care for collections
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Academic Researcher: Pursue specialist research and support teaching in higher education
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Heritage Consultant: Advise institutions on cultural heritage, collections, and ethical practice
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Arts Journalist: Write about art, exhibitions, and cultural developments
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Publishing Assistant: Support the editing, production, and development of future publications
Career Support
You’ll build your confidence and career direction through direct contact with curators, visiting academics, and sector speakers. Museum visits and a student-led exhibition project will give you practical experience, helping you develop teamwork and professional skills. Career Central(opens in a new window) offers advice, CV support, application guidance, and help with interview preparation.
After the Course
After graduation, you’ll remain part of the wider Sainsbury Research Unit community, connecting you to a global network of alumni and researchers. Many graduates go on to PhD study or museum roles, supported by the skills and experience gained on the course. You’ll also keep access to Career Central(opens in a new window) for up to three years after graduation, helping you plan and take your next step.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your programme will consist of two main strands: the core course and region-focused modules.
Your core course runs across two semesters, leading up to a museology timed essay and your dissertation. This is complemented by your region-focused modules.
In your first-semester core course, you’ll examine key topics and contexts regarding theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of art and material culture. You’ll focus on assembling, organising, documenting, disseminating, and analysing collections.
Then, in the second semester of your core course, you’ll delve deeper into these theoretical and methodological approaches. You’ll place special emphasis on curating collections, conceptualising exhibitions, and conservation. You’ll also become fluent in key concepts of agency, sociality, materiality, heritage, style, and analogy.
During the two semesters, you’ll go on several stimulating study visits to museums in the United Kingdom and France. These visits are an intensive learning experience in which you’ll discuss and debate theoretical and practical aspects of museology in situ. You’ll also gain an in-depth knowledge of museum exhibitions and develop your critical reasoning.
During your second semester, you’ll dedicate your time exclusively to the readings and research that will lead to your dissertation. Your dissertation is your opportunity to delve deeper into the area or question which interests you most. You’ll complete a unique and substantial piece of research, supervised by two Sainsbury Research UnitSainsbury Research Unit(opens in a new window) (SRU) faculty members.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You’ll benefit from close supervision, with a small cohort that allows for focused support.
You’ll learn through lectures and seminar discussions, analysing carefully selected texts and ideas. You’ll also develop research skills, from academic writing and referencing to using library and online resources.
With direct access to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts collection, you’ll gain excellent exposure to museum objects.
You’ll also visit UK museums, exhibitions, art fairs, and auctions to deepen your understanding of the sector.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through coursework completed throughout the year. Most assessments are essay-based, helping you develop clear, well-referenced academic writing. You may also complete presentations, projects, or reflective writing. Your dissertation will be an independent research project, supported by expert supervision.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1.
Degree Subject
Humanities or Social Sciences.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to attend an interview, either online via Microsoft Teams or in person. Please note that meeting the minimum academic entry requirements does not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interviews will take place throughout the academic year and are usually conducted by the Course Director and another SRU faculty member. They typically last around twenty minutes, and applicants should be prepared to discuss the strengths of their application and their suitability for the course.
Interview invitations will be sent by email, so please monitor all communications from UEA after submitting your application. Following the interview, applicants will receive a decision on their application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Humanities or Social Sciences.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component.
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to attend an interview, either online via Microsoft Teams or in person. Please note that meeting the minimum academic entry requirements does not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interviews will take place throughout the academic year and are usually conducted by the Course Director and another SRU faculty member. They typically last around twenty minutes, and applicants should be prepared to discuss the strengths of their application and their suitability for the course.
Interview invitations will be sent by email, so please monitor all communications from UEA after submitting your application. Following the interview, applicants will receive a decision on their application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £11,750
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International Students: £25,000
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You’ll receive a small bursary towards the cost of museum visits. We also offer full scholarships(opens in a new window) and partial bursaries(opens in a new window).
Please see additional course fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
The closing date for submitting applications is 20 March 2026.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Sainsbury Research Unit
Email: sru.enquiries@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.
Information for Offer Holders
Offers have to be accepted within 6 weeks of the offer email being sent. If your offer isn't accepted by this deadline, you will be moved onto the reserve list and your place will be offered to another eligible student.
You will then only be reconsidered for this intake if a new place becomes available.