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The MA in French and British Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors is offered by The University of Buckingham in partnership with The Wallace Collection.

A key element of this unique course is the emphasis on in-gallery teaching and the hands-on study of furniture, silver, textiles and ceramics, where possible in the context of historic interiors. Based in central London, it draws on the outstanding collections of the nearby Wallace Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as the expertise of the Wallace Collection curatorial staff and other leading specialists who participate in the teaching. See our dedicated Academic Staff Page.

With its focus on first-hand study of decorative art within historic interiors, the programme provides a vocational and rigorous academic training which has enabled our students to pursue careers in museums, interior design, antique dealing, and auctioneering. Some of our past students now work at the Royal Collection, the Wallace Collection, Rienza MFA Houston, the National Trust, English Heritage and Christie’s. The MA also provides an excellent spring-board for students wanting to do a PhD in Art History or related disciplines. (see What our students and alumni say).

The MA is designed to appeal to those wishing to pursue careers in heritage organisations, antique-dealing and auctioneering, museums, conservation, interiors design or university teaching and further research. However, those with a strong personal interest in studying the subject for its own sake are also very welcome.

The Buckingham MA was featured in an article in The Guardian on 4 March 2014: “Finding a graduate job in fine art can be tough, but a Master’s could help”.

UK Study Trips

There are frequent trips to collections in and around London, and the Country House Study Week in the first term exploring local country houses such as Burghley, Waddesdon Manor, Ditchley, Boughton and Blenheim Palace, 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.

Paris Study Week

In the second term, there is a study week in Paris where students are granted privileged access to some of the private apartments at Versailles not normally accessible to the public. We visit some of the most important public and private collections of decorative arts from the time of Louis XIV and up to the Second Empire, and students meet with curators and archivists.

Professional Practice Projects and Placements in Museums and Galleries

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. Some of our students have recently completed placements with Bonhams, English Heritage and Strawberry Hill.

Course Structure

The course starts each September and finishes the following September. In the first term, we study the development of the decorative arts and the interior in France and Britain between c. 1600 and the end of the eighteenth century. In the second term, students examine the nineteenth century and focus on revivalism, collecting, and the practical and historical problems of re-interpreting eighteenth-century interiors and objects. This is combined with the Professional Practice Project, which is designed to equip students with research skills and experience applicable to careers in museums and built heritage.

The teaching takes place in London, two days a week over two terms (with additional compulsory class trips). A typical day of teaching will involve lectures, student-led seminars, and in-gallery teaching. During the third term, students research a dissertation under supervision, which is written up over the summer for submission at the end of September.

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.

Modules studied on this course

• British Decorative Arts & Historic Interiors 1660-c.1790
• British Decorative Arts & Historic Interiors from c.1790
• French Decorative Arts & Historic Interiors 1660-c.1790
• French Decorative Arts & Historic Interiors from c.1790
• Professional Practice Project
• Dissertation

See also:

• Country house study week
• Study week in Paris
• What our students and alumni say
• Academic staff
• MA The Art Market and the History of Collecting by Research

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

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, the curatorial staff of The Wallace Collection and experts from institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British 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).

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.

The placements in museums and heritage institutions are designed to help students find jobs in the art world. The focus on first-hand study of decorative arts within historic interiors gives a connoisseurial training which has enabled students to pursue careers in museums, interior design, antique dealing, and auctioneering. Some of our past students now work at the Royal Collection, the National Trust and English Heritage (see What our students and alumni say)