MA Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors
Based in central London, it draws upon the outstanding collections of the nearby Wallace Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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Course overview
About the Course
View All Course Modules
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Sep 2025 (Full-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture, Power and Display: The Town and Country House in Europe | Core | 20.00 | 7 |
| Dissertation (Decorative Arts) | Core | 75.00 | 7 |
| Objects Interpretation Project | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Research in Practice in the Museums and Heritage Sectors | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Revolution and Revival in the Age of Exhibitions, c. 1830-1900 | Core | 20.00 | 7 |
| Society, Makers, Patrons: Luxury in Eighteenth-Century Interiors | Core | 20.00 | 7 |
| The Practice of Research | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
Sep 2025 (Part-time)
| Module | Type | Credits | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture, Power and Display: The Town and Country House in Europe | Core | 20.00 | 7 |
| Dissertation (Decorative Arts) | Core | 75.00 | 7 |
| Objects Interpretation Project | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Research in Practice in the Museums and Heritage Sectors | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
| Revolution and Revival in the Age of Exhibitions, c. 1830-1900 | Core | 20.00 | 7 |
| Society, Makers, Patrons: Luxury in Eighteenth-Century Interiors | Core | 20.00 | 7 |
| The Practice of Research | Core | 15.00 | 7 |
Based in central London, our unique hands-on and interdisciplinary postgraduate degree investigates applied arts in historic interiors.
Key features
- Interdisciplinary and diverse in approach.
- Hands-on teaching in museums, galleries and auction houses.
- Project-based vocational training.
- Country House Study Week in Buckinghamshire and surrounding counties.
- Study week in Paris.
This unique course offers an exciting opportunity for the study of European decorative arts in historic interiors at postgraduate level. With a strong focus on Britain and France in the global context of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it employs a wide range of disciplinary approaches for students to acquire specialist knowledge of architecture, interiors, furniture, silver, textiles and ceramics, of their modes of design and production, and questions of patronage, collecting and display.
A key element of this unique course is the emphasis on in-gallery teaching and object handling with world-class specialists. It draws on the outstanding collections and curatorial expertise of the nearby Wallace Collection, the V&A South Kensington, and Waddesdon Manor, and of other leading specialists who participate in the teaching; see our dedicated Academic Staff Page.
With a long-standing international reputation, the programme provides vocational and rigorous academic training to prepare graduates for careers in museums, auction houses, historical consulting in interior design, antique dealing, and further study.
Course Structure
The programme runs over four terms: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. We study the development of the decorative arts and the interior in France and Britain in the long eighteenth century. Students then examine the nineteenth century and focus on revivalism, collecting, and the practical and historical problems of re-interpreting eighteenth-century interiors and objects. The historical content is combined with a study skills module, and with the Professional Practice Project and the Waddesdon Files project, which are designed to equip students with experience and research skills applicable to careers in museums and built heritage.
The teaching takes place in central London (Bloomsbury), two days a week over three terms, including compulsory study visits. A typical day of teaching will involve lectures, student-led seminars, and in-gallery teaching. In the Summer term students complete a dissertation under supervision, for submission at the end of the term.
Subject to the agreement of the Programme Director, there are some options for part-time study, one day a week over two years, or by deferral of the dissertation.
UK study visits
There are frequent study visits to collections in and around London. The Country House Study Week is part of the module ‘Architecture, Power and Display: the Town and Country House in Europe’ and explores local country houses such as Stowe, Burghley, Ditchley and Boughton, with their important decorative arts collections. The visits include some handling sessions and the opportunity to meet with curators, conservators and other museum and heritage professionals.
Visit to Chantilly, 2022
Paris Study Week
A study week in Paris is part of the module ‘Revolution and Revival in the Age of Exhibitions, c. 1830-1900’. Students are granted privileged access to some of the most important public and private interiors and collections from the time of Louis XIV up to the Second Empire, and students meet with curators and archivists.
Sèvres handling session at Waddesdon Manor
Practical and vocational skills
Students acquire valuable vocational skills and experience through the Professional Practice Project in the second term, when they plan an exhibition in a museum, or research and present a proposal to restore a historic interior. Alternatively, each year there is a limited number of part-time placements with museums or heritage organisations for high-performing students.
Objects Interpretation Project is a compulsory module that will develop students’ research and presentation skills in the third term. Generously funded by the Rothschild Foundation and drawing on the collections and expertise of curatorial staff at Waddesdon Manor, students will create content for the Waddesdon Files, an open-access digital resource managed by Legend Times/Buckingham University Press.
See also:
Find out more about our History and History of Art courses.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
The minimum entry level required for this course is as follows:
- a first or second-class honours degree from a recognised university or,
- a recognised professional qualification or relevant work experience
Mature students
Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students. Due to their flexibility, our London-based MAs by research attract a wide variety of applicants from a range of backgrounds, including people in full-time employment and retirees. Our current students range in age from 21 to 75.
International students
We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.
The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.
English levels
If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.
Selection process
Candidates apply online, sending in their supporting documents, and will be assessed on this basis by the Programme Director. Additionally, most students are interviewed, either in person or via Microsoft Teams, What’s App or by telephone.
The Programme Directors and the Admissions Administrator would be happy to answer any questions you may have, email admissions@buckingham.ac.uk.
Student Contract for prospective students
When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.
Teaching & Assessment
Dr Lindsay Macnaughton was appointed tutor for French decorative arts in 2020 on the University’s MA in Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors which is taught collaboratively with the Wallace Collection and other subject specialists.
Quality teaching
We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.
Teaching methods
Study session at the Wallace Collection, 2021
Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures supported by seminars and tutorials. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. It is also the philosophy of Buckingham’s faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.
The MA is taught by staff from The University of Buckingham and leading experts from institutions such as the Wallace Collection, Waddesdon Manor, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Soane Museum. There are also a number of renowned independent scholars who give lectures and lead some of the seminars and class trips.
Assessment methods
Assessment of individual modules within each course is by a combination of written examinations, essays, oral presentations and the dissertation.
Preparation for work
The MA in Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors is a hands-on course that combines academic challenge with the transferable skills from research and practical projects that will stand you in good stead for future employment. (See What Our Students and Alumni Say).
After Your Course
Graduate employment
Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.
Career prospects
The programme provides a vocational and academic training to a new generation of decorative art historians and museum curators.
Fees & Scholarships
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | First Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2025 Full-time (1 Year) | UK | £10,900 | £10,900 |
| INT | £16,480 | £16,480 | |
Sep 2025 Part-time (2 Years) | UK | £6,920 | £13,840 |
| INT | £11,072 | £22,144 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Scholarship and Bursaries
Subject to the agreement of the Programme Director, there are some options for part-time study, one day a week over two years, or by deferral of the dissertation. Some scholarships and bursaries are available: contact the Admissions Office for details.
The Leche Trust Bursary is available for the MA in Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors programme.
Postgraduate first class scholarship
A first-class scholarship is available to both home and international students studying a taught postgraduate degree at the University. The scholarship will reduce tuition fees by 33%. The scholarship will be automatically awarded to applicants who already have a first class honours degree that is recognised to UK standard.
Details of other scholarships can be found on our main Bursaries and Scholarships page. You should make an application to study at the University and receive an offer letter confirming our acceptance of your application before applying for a scholarship.
You may also find it useful to visit our External Funding page.
Master’s loan scheme
A system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees is available in the UK with support from the UK Government.
Accommodation
Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.