Why choose this course?
Recognised as one of the most significant and innovative courses in its field and highly-regarded in the international art world, this Aesthetics and Art Theory MA course combines a grounding in philosophical aesthetics in the modern European tradition with study of contemporary art theory and the philosophy of art history.
What you will study
You'll study canonical authors including Adorno, Aristotle, Benjamin, Deleuze, Derrida, de Duve, Duchamp, Greenberg, Heidegger, Kant, Krauss, Rancière, and Schlegel, and gain a clear overview of the main philosophical approaches to modern and contemporary art.
The course will distinguish between ‘aesthetic', ‘Romantic' ‘Modernist' and ‘Contemporary' (global) problematics, and will offer a distinctive grounding in ongoing debates over the reception of contemporary art.
After you graduate
Our graduates often progress to research degrees in European philosophy and critical theory, or to careers in media/journalism, publishing, the arts, education, and public policy.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
Penrhyn Road Campus
Penrhyn Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
London,
KT1 2EE, SOUTHERN ENGLAND, England
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
Penrhyn Road Campus
Penrhyn Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
London,
KT1 2EE, SOUTHERN ENGLAND, England
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Kingston enjoys an extremely high graduate employment rate, with 92 per cent of graduates employed or in further study within fifteen months