Digital Art History – online (MLitt) at University of St Andrews

Programme overview

Online postgraduate programme delivered jointly by the School of Art History and the School of Computer Science, combining art historical methods with computational techniques such as data and text mining, visualisation, digital mapping and machine learning. It is offered as an MLitt, PGDip or PGCert and no prior art history or computer science experience is required.

Department: School of Art History (with the School of Computer Science) | Duration: MLitt: up to three years; PGDip: up to two years; PGCert: up to one year (part-time, online) | Intake: January and September; deadlines January 2027 entry: 8 January 2027; September 2027 entry: 1 September 2027 | Study mode: online | Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

MLitt students take five Art History modules, three Computer Science modules and a 60-credit dissertation or final project (a 15,000-word dissertation or a digital project with a report and reflective essay). Modules include Introduction to Digital Art History and the Humanities, Programming in Python, Digital Tools, Machine learning algorithms and Data and information visualisation.

Career pathways

Graduates work in universities, museums, galleries, auction houses, media and art dealerships in research, curation, collections, archives, exhibitions and learning and engagement roles; some progress to PhD study at St Andrews.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MSc/MLitt entry: a 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in any subject from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. Applicants without a degree may be considered with at least five years of relevant professional learning, possibly starting on the PGCert. Application requires a CV, one signed reference, transcripts and degree certificates, a 2,000-word single-authored academic writing sample and a 500-word personal statement. International applicants may need to provide an English language test score, normally accepted only if taken within two years of the programme start; applicants with a UK degree or a degree taught entirely in English at a recognised institution in specified majority English-speaking countries may not need one.

GBP 15,000 for the whole programme. Estimated total fee for the MLitt (stated as GBP 1,250 per 15 credits); applies to all applicants; 15% graduate discount available for St Andrews alumni Source

Intake: January and September; deadlines January 2027 entry: 8 January 2027; September 2027 entry: 1 Septemb

Duration: MLitt: up to three years; PGDip: up to two years; PGCert: up to one year (part-time, online)

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