Art History and Archaeology

The Master’s degree in Art History and Archeology from Université PSL, administered by EPHE–PSL, offers leading-edge training focused on research and documents, all in the heart of Paris. The wealth of lectures held at EPHE–PSL provides an assurance of quality teaching.
The curriculum, featuring seminars in art history and archeology that in most cases are given at the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art (INHA), capitalizes on the program’s proximity to specialized libraries (notably the INHA library) and France’s heritage collections (such as the Musée du Louvre and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France). The onsite libraries make it easier for students to prepare textual commentaries and master bibliographical resources. Individual tutoring allows students to make optimal use of the resources available. This Master’s program, designed to train specialists in art history and archeology through an emphasis on learning research by doing research, operates in partnership with research centers that are overseen solely or jointly by EPHE–PSL and that play an active role in the field.

This Master’s degree program is part of the graduate program in Historical Sciences.

Learning outcomes

The first year of this Master’s program offers comprehensive training in art history and archeology that is designed to help students master basic methodology across a broad chronological and thematic range and guide them gradually toward specialized study. The program also places an emphasis on oral skills through public presentations in the form of a major oral examination at the end of both the first semester (topical bibliography) and the second semester (commentary on a document), including short written reports. The second year is focused on preparing the research thesis, which is defended before a jury at the end of the year. The work in research libraries serves as preparation for that written work. The internship, which is arranged as opportunities arise during academic activities, is equivalent to one credit unit. Each student receives personalized guidance from the research director from the time they enroll.

Academic tracks

Master’s Year 1 (M1)
Two academic tracks are available:

• Art History and Archeology.
• Archeology and Art History (international track).

Master’s Year 2 (M2)

For Year 2 of the Master’s program, when students choose their concentration, there are four tracks:

• M2 Art History.
• M2 Archeology.
• M2 Archeology and Art History, with one or two semesters at the University of Basilicata in Matera, Italy.
• M2 Art, Museology and Curatorial Activities (international track; dual degree with the University of Bologna).

Refer to the specific tab to find out more about the M1 and M2 programs.

Who should apply?

Students who hold a Bachelor's degree in art history and archeology, history, literature, philosophy, humanities, anthropology, social science or political science, or who have obtained 180 ECTS credits from a Bachelor’s-level program or the equivalent. Students from the École du Louvre are especially encouraged to apply.

Opportunities

• Doctorate in art history or archeology.
• Careers and competitive exams in the heritage sector.

Laboratories

The program draws primarily on research teams:

• HISTARA orientation team (EPHE–PSL)
• SAPRAT orientation team (EPHE–PSL)
• AOROC joint research unit (ENS–PSL, EPHE–PSL, CNRS)

Teaching location

Most of the courses will be taught in the heart of Paris at the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art (INHA, 2 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris).
Other courses are taught at the Sorbonne (45 rue des Ecoles, 75005 Paris) and the École Normale Supérieure–PSL (45 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris).
Students enrolled in the international track will spend a portion of their Master’s Year 2 at the University of Basilicata in Matera, Italy, taking advantage of PSL’s various international agreements and partner schools.