PGCert in Art History and Renaissance Culture

The School of Advanced Study at the University of London brings together eight internationally renowned research institutes to form the UK's national centre for the support of researchers and the promotion of research in the humanities.

The Warburg Institute is renowned across the world for the interdisciplinary study of cultural and intellectual history, particularly the role of images in culture. It is dedicated to research on the history of ideas; the dissemination and transformations of texts, ideas, and images in society; and the relationship between images, art, and their texts and subtexts. Its work is historical, philological, and anthropological.

The Institute houses a research library of international importance, a photographic collection organised according to a unique iconographic classification system, and the archive of Aby Warburg, which also holds the papers of other major thinkers of the twentieth century who were connected to the Institute. Situated in the heart of Bloomsbury, the Institute is a stone’s throw from the British Library, the British Museum, the Wellcome Institute, and the National Gallery, providing students with access to a wealth of academic and cultural resources.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Art History and Renaissance Culture is offered by the Warburg Institute(Opens in new window) in collaboration with the National Gallery, London.

This course is ideal for students who have an interest in art history and Renaissance culture, and who are looking for an intellectual challenge but cannot commit to a full MA. The course focuses on complex ideas and arguments related to the production and understanding of works of art and Renaissance cultural history.

This seven-month programme aims to:

• Give students an understanding of current methodological and theoretical approaches to art history rooted in the Renaissance and early modern period
• Encourage students to recognise, critique, and articulate complex ideas about the production and understanding of works of art and Renaissance cultural history
• Develop advanced research and analytical skills that are highly valued transferrable skills as well as good preparation for further academic study
• Provide a stepping stone for those who wish to progress to further postgraduate study, as students will gain 60 credits towards a master’s degree

• You'll get access to the best resources for the study of Renaissance art and culture in London. Our open-stack Library, Photographic Collection and Archive is of international importance in the humanities. One of 20 libraries that changed the world, and with over 300,000 specialist volumes, it serves as an engine for interdisciplinary research and study.
• Behind-the-scenes access to one of the leading collections of European paintings and to the work that goes into the care of these artworks, from conservation to framing and display.
• Unparalleled staff contact hours with internationally renowned academics and curators. With approximately 20 - 40 graduate students admitted each year, you'll join a tight-knit community of peers that benefits from close discussion with expert tutors and museum professionals, and small-group teaching.
• You'll have the opportunity to join students who come from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of study, from art history to literature, philosophy, history, anthropology, classics, and more, making for a dynamic and interdisciplinary learning environment.
• Extensive opportunities for networking with an international community of scholars, which significantly enriches the learning experience and can provide ideal connections for future careers.
• Located in Bloomsbury, you will be placed at the centre of London’s academic and cultural hub. You'll benefit from visits and training sessions at neighbouring institutions including the British Museum, the Government Art Collection, the Wellcome Trust and the British Library, and further afield the V&A, the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Courtauld Gallery.
• This programme at the Warburg Institute offers both an intellectually stimulating and rigorous programme of study, and because we are a relatively small institute, we provide a welcoming and supportive academic community.
• Learning and research are a pleasure. We are dedicated to ensuring you can study at home and can advance and enjoy your area of study.

The normal minimum entry requirement is an upper second-class honours degree from a British university, or an equivalent qualification from a non-UK institution, in any discipline in the humanities related to the course.

All students whose first language is not English must provide recent evidence that their written and spoken English is adequate for postgraduate study.

Find out more about our entry requirements.

For more information on how to apply, including deadlines and the documentation you will need to provide on the application form, visit our How to Apply page.

Fees are set annually and cover registration, tuition, and (in the case of research students) supervision.

Fees are quoted per annum -- that is, you will need to pay at least the fee quoted below for each year of your studies. Please note that tuition fees are subject to annual uplift. The University of London reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses and amend other details without prior notice.

See the Tuition Fees for 2024-25 - listed by Institute.

Our students fund their studies in a variety of ways including scholarships, bursaries and fellowships, as well as government loans and postgraduate loans. 

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that you don't need to pay back and are awarded based on personal circumstances or academic achievement. Funding at postgraduate level is competitive so it’s a good idea to plan financially before starting your course. 

For information about fees and funding from the School of Advanced Study, please visit the SAS Fees and Funding page.

The SAS Careers Service works with students and graduates of all ages and at all stages of career development across all the institutes. Our mission is to provide high-quality information about careers and skills, and professional advice and guidance. We help students with their career development, either within their current field of work or in something completely new. 

SAS students can access 1-2-1 guidance appointments throughout their studies and for up to 2 years after graduating, to help them plan their next steps, whatever they might be. We also offer CV, cover letter, and application advice as well as mock interviews with the SAS Careers Consultant who will empower you to feel more confident in your interview performance.