History and Philosophy of Art MA in Paris
There is a great community here in Paris.
I chose this course because of the robust philosophy element; my background is in philosophy and psychology and I was looking to move into an art-related field, so this course was perfect for me.
I chose to study in Paris because I wanted the chance to study my degree in a city filled with both art historical richness and contemporary creativity.
There are so many enriching experiences for us to take part in. We have been to art openings, museums and live shows and visited artists’ studios and private collections of art. There are regular talks from creatives and professionals in the arts that we can attend. We also have the opportunity to create our own arts journal and festival.
It can be amazing, frustrating and hugely exciting. There are students from all over the world studying in Paris and there is never a shortage of things to see and do. It is a bit of a culture shock at times, but the support from PSAC staff here has been fantastic; they are approachable, warm and help in every way they can. The modules have been brilliant, and the chance to study areas outside your expertise creates a cross-disciplinary dialogue in the arts that is great to be a part of.
I greatly enjoyed the Key Concepts in History and Philosophy module. Our seminar leader really encouraged us to take the lead in our learning, and the seminars were incredibly engaging, with much debate from all! This was further enhanced by trips to museums in Paris to view related artworks. In this class, my confidence in dealing with complex academic texts grew exponentially; I couldn’t recommend the module more.
My fellow students are motivated, sociable and excited to enjoy all that Paris has to offer. There is a great community here in Paris and I enjoy being in class and attending events with the group. As President of this year’s Paris Society, I have been working with my fellow committee members to ensure we have exciting and inclusive events for all students here in Paris, especially in welcoming those who are studying a split-site programme.
As postgraduates, we have a lot more freedom to direct our studies to the areas we are interested in, while being encouraged by our tutors to develop our knowledge and understanding. There is a higher level of autonomy at Master’s level but also a higher level of engagement with seminar leaders and peers.
I think that my studies at PSAC will greatly improve my employment prospects. There is a very thorough employability workshop series as well as one-to-one career consultations. There are lots of opportunities to interact with professionals in the arts, which also adds to the feeling that we are in the perfect place to make connections, discover career pathways and take the next step into our futures.
Apart from looking appealing to prospective employers, a further degree gives you a chance to develop your academic thought and research skills. It gives you a chance to specialise and to meet other Master’s students, which in turn enhances your own learning experience. Undertaking an extended project or dissertation also allows you to explore a subject in more depth than is possible in an undergraduate degree.
I am planning to work for a year while applying to PhD programmes in the US and Europe.
My advice would be to go for it! Moving to a new country may seem scary but everyone is in the same boat and there is so much support available. Within a few months you’ll have forgotten all your apprehension! The teaching is brilliant, you will learn a lot from your fellow students and will be supported to achieve your career goals, all while experiencing the wonders of Paris. What’s not to love?
