MASTER OF ARTS (VISUAL ARTS)
Master of Arts (Visual Arts) focuses on the study of visual arts and culture. Our interdisciplinary programme encompasses art history, heritage and cultural studies, as well as practice research. Our programme prepares students for careers in education, museums, curatorial practices, public engaged scholarship, publishing, heritage practice, artistic research, and arts administration, as well as for further study at the PhD level. It also offers an opportunity for continuing education for teachers of art history, history, visual culture and related subjects.
Our courses help students in developing visual and aesthetic literacy as well as evidence-based critical thinking and interpretive skills. Whether you are thinking of a career in the growing heritage, museum, gallery and culture industry, or improving your writing skills when engaging with visual forms/images, or simply pursuing a life-long dream of independent research and learning, our MA programme not only provides you with the foundation for doing academic research through the courses we offer, you will also deepen your understanding of a chosen topic by completing a research thesis.
Art writer/Critic/Journalist, Art Teacher, Cultural Programmer, Marketing Executive, Art Manager, Independent Researcher, Art Historian, Curator, Copywriter, Lecturer, Conservator, Gallerist, Public Relations Executive, Education Officer, Consultant, Policy Adviser
COMPONENT | TYPE | COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS | TOTAL |
Coursework | Core Courses | ROD7001 | Research Methodology in Visual Arts | 3 | 6 |
ROD7002 | Visual Arts Theory | 3 | |||
Elective | ROD7003 | Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia | 3 | 6 | |
ROD7004 | Malaysian Art | 3 | |||
ROD7005 | Southeast Asian Modern Art | 3 | |||
ROD7010 | Malaysian Screen Studies | 3 | |||
ROD7011 | Museum Studies, Critical Heritage and Curatorial Practices | 3 | |||
ROD7012 | Art Education | 3 | |||
Research | Dissertation | ROD7009 | Dissertation | 30 | 30 |
TOTAL CREDITS | 42 | ||||
Note :
MALAYSIAN & INTERNATIONAL
General Requirements:
Possessed a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Arts, Fine Arts, Applied Arts, Painting and Design, Art History, Visual Culture, Museum Studies, or Liberal Arts with a minimum CGPA of 3.00.
OR
Possessed a Bachelor's Degree with CGPA of 2.50 - 2.99 and meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:
1) UM graduate; or
2) At least one (1) year working experience in a related field; or
3) Publication in a related field; or
4) A scholarship holder; or
5) A Government servant; or
6) Pass an interview by PTj; or
7) Pass a Special Assessment by PTj.
Related Area
Fine Arts, Applied Arts, Art and Design, Art History, Visual Culture Studies, Museum Studies, or Liberal Arts.
Language Requirement
A Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent in the related field*
* Note:
Preference will be given to applicants with a Bachelor's Degree with CGPA 3.0 and above or its equivalent.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree with CGPA 3.7 and above can apply directly for the PhD programme.
English Language Requirement
International applicant must possess at least:
A band 5.5 for IELTS (Academic); or
A score of 550 for paper-based total, a score of 213 for computer-based total, or a score of 80 for internet-based total for TOEFL.
Semester I of the academic year commences in September while Semester II commences in February.
Application Deadline: May for Semester I intake and October for Semester II intake.
For more information, please refer : https://study.um.edu.my/download-brochures
Last Update: 22/09/2025