Islamic Art and Archaeology

Surveying the rich and diverse history of Islamic Art and Archaeology, the University of Oxford offers a comprehensive programme that immerses students in the study of Islamic visual culture, material heritage, and historical development. This programme provides an in-depth exploration of Islamic artistic expressions spanning from the early centuries of Islam to the modern period, encompassing a wide geographical area that includes the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia. Students will engage with a variety of disciplinary approaches, including art history, archaeology, history, and cultural studies, enabling a multifaceted understanding of the Islamic world’s artistic and material legacy.

The course curriculum covers key themes such as the development of Islamic architectural styles, decorative arts, calligraphy, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork. Students will also examine the social, religious, and political contexts that shaped Islamic artistic production, alongside the role of art in defining identity and cultural exchange. Critical analysis of archaeological excavations and museum collections forms a significant part of the programme, providing practical skills in provenance research, material analysis, and interpretation of archaeological sites and objects.

Throughout the course, students will benefit from the university’s world-renowned resources, including access to extensive archives, libraries, and archaeological collections. The programme emphasizes research skills, critical thinking, and scholarly writing, preparing students for careers in academia, curatorial work, archaeology, conservation, and cultural heritage management. Moreover, collaboration with leading experts and participation in seminars, workshops, and field visits will enhance practical knowledge and professional networks.

Students will have the opportunity to undertake independent research projects, supported by experienced faculty, and potentially engage with additional training in digital technologies used in the study of Islamic art and archaeology, such as 3D modeling, digital imaging, and database management. This programme is ideal for individuals passionate about understanding the historical depth, artistic richness, and cultural significance of Islamic civilization, providing a rigorous academic environment to develop expertise and contribute to the preservation and interpretation of Islamic art and archaeological heritage.

You will have a supervisor who will guide your progress through the course and who will agree with you a programme of work and a timetable for each term of the course, including: general skills and research specific training, formal teaching and instruction, attendance at lectures and seminars, and regular meetings (normally at least twice per term) with the supervisor for detailed discussion on your progress. You will be expected to attend tutorials, classes, lectures and seminars regularly, and your tutors and language instructors will give you regular assignments of written work. Tutors and language instructors report to your supervisor on your progress at the end of each term, and the supervisor will write a formal report upon your work and progress during the term. The structure of the examinations for the course is as follows:

At the end of the first year of the course, you must sit the Qualifying Examination, consisting of three elements. The first is a three-hour written examination, 'Introduction to Islamic Art and Archaeology', reflecting the tutorials, lectures and seminars offered during the year. The second element is a portfolio containing reports on practical work completed during the year. During the year, eight practical classes introduce the basic techniques of describing and analysing material culture across a range of different media, which may include any of the following: architecture, ceramics, epigraphy, manuscript painting, metalwork, numismatics, and textiles; classes on presentation of work in a lecture or seminar, and on developing a personal website are also offered. The third element is a language examination in Arabic or Persian or Ottoman Turkish, which will test progress in the elementary study of the relevant language made during the year.

At the end of the second year, the final examination is taken, which consists of five elements.

The first is an extended essay of between 5,000 and 6,000 words on a topic of Islamic art and archaeology or related fields (eg non-Islamic art, architecture and archaeology, Islamic studies, history, museology) to be selected by yourself in consultation with your supervisor.

The second and third elements are two three-hour written examinations, in Arabic or Persian or Ottoman Turkish, one on language or unprepared texts, the second on prepared texts.

The fourth element is a three-hour written examination, 'Approaches to Islamic Art and Archaeology', reflecting the seminars of theory, methods and techniques offered during the year. The fifth element is a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement: Up to three pages
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• Ertegun Scholarship Programme

The MSc in Islamic Art and Archaeology at the University of Oxford is a specialized postgraduate programme designed for students interested in the history, theory, and material culture of the Islamic world. This interdisciplinary course provides a comprehensive overview of Islamic art, architecture, archaeology, and visual culture, spanning from the early centuries of Islam to the modern period. Students have the opportunity to study classical and medieval Islamic art and architecture, as well as contemporary issues related to the preservation and interpretation of Islamic material heritage. The programme integrates academic theory with practical skills, including archaeological fieldwork, art analysis, and research methodologies, preparing graduates for careers in academia, museums, cultural heritage management, and conservation.

The course curriculum includes core modules such as Islamic Art and Architecture, Archaeology of the Islamic World, and Theories of Art and Visual Culture, complemented by optional modules that allow students to tailor their studies according to their interests. Teaching methods involve lectures, seminars, and hands-on practical sessions, often incorporating visits to museums and archaeological sites. The programme is delivered by world-renowned faculty members specializing in Islamic studies, art history, and archaeology, leveraging Oxford’s extensive resources such as the Ashmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum for research and practical experience.

Students are also encouraged to undertake a research component, culminating in a dissertation that contributes original insights to the field of Islamic art and archaeology. The university’s vibrant academic community provides a stimulating environment for scholarly discussion, collaboration, and networking. Graduates from this programme often pursue careers in academic research, curatorial work, cultural preservation, and archaeological consulting, contributing to the understanding and dissemination of Islamic cultural heritage worldwide. The MSc programme typically lasts one year full-time, with flexible options available for part-time study, aligning with the university’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible postgraduate education in the humanities.