A Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies is a postgraduate qualification that combines rigorous scholarly study of art history with the professional skills required to work in galleries, museums, and cultural institutions. The program covers a wide range of fields including Australian and Asian art, 19th–20th century Australian and European art and design, modernism and postmodernism, and curatorial practice. Students develop advanced critical thinking and analytical skills alongside practical training in collection management, exhibition development, heritage conservation, and museum theory. The course is offered at AQF Level 9, typically spanning 12 to 24 months of full-time study, and is taught by specialist art historians and leading industry practitioners.

This degree is designed for graduates who are passionate about art, culture, and heritage, and who wish to pursue professional careers in the GLAM sector — Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums. It suits those with a background in art history, fine arts, humanities, museum studies, or related disciplines who are seeking to deepen their expertise and gain hands-on curatorial experience. Employers of graduates include national and state art galleries, public and private museums, university collections, heritage organisations, auction houses, commercial galleries, arts councils, and government cultural agencies across Australia and internationally.

The course equips students to critically analyse the historical, social, cultural, and political contexts of diverse art periods and styles, to develop and manage collections and exhibitions, and to engage with contemporary debates around cultural ownership, decolonisation, digital innovation, and ethical stewardship of collections — including those relating to First Nations artefacts and heritage.

Most Australian universities offering this qualification require applicants to hold a completed bachelor's degree or international equivalent, typically in a cognate discipline such as art history, fine arts, anthropology, architecture, history, classics, museum studies, visual arts, design, or digital humanities. Some programs require a bachelor's degree with an honours component (AQF Level 8), or a minimum GPA of around 4.0 to 6.0 on a 7-point scale depending on the institution. For programs with a research thesis component, applicants generally need a higher GPA (around 6.0/7.0) and must identify and obtain the written agreement of a qualified academic supervisor prior to enrolment. Some universities also accept applicants who have completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline in lieu of an honours degree, provided minimum GPA requirements are met. Relevant professional experience in a museum, gallery, or heritage organisation can sometimes be considered as an alternative pathway, particularly for mature-age applicants.

For international students, all Australian universities require proof of English language proficiency. The standard minimum requirement across providers is an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0. Equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT (typically a minimum of 79–87), PTE Academic, or Cambridge Advanced English are also accepted. Some institutions set higher English requirements for specific subskills such as writing. International applicants should ensure their English test results are no older than two years at the time of application. Admission to most programs is competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. Applicants may also be asked to provide a statement of purpose, a sample of academic writing, a curriculum vitae, and references from academic or professional referees.