The Wallace Collection

This unique MA in French and British Decorative Arts and Interiors is taught  in collaboration with the University of Buckingham. 

Much of the teaching takes place in the Wallace Collection galleries, drawing upon the unrivalled resources of the Collection and the expertise of the museum's curatorial staff. Outside experts from the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Trust and other institutions also participate in the teaching. With its focus on first-hand study of the decorative arts within the historic interior, the programme provides a thorough practical and academic training, which has enabled students to pursue careers in museums, interior design, antique dealing, auctioneering and the National Trust. The MA is generously supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

The MA focuses upon the development of interiors and decorative arts in England and France in the "long" eighteenth century (c.1660-1830) and their subsequent rediscovery and reinterpretation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. A key element of the course is the emphasis on the first-hand study of furniture, silver and ceramics, where possible in the context of historic interiors. There are frequent trips to collections in and around London, and a study week at Buckingham exploring local country houses such as Woburn Abbey, Waddesdon Manor, Boughton and Blenheim Palace, with their important decorative arts collections. In the second term there is a study week in Paris, where students have an opportunity to explore some of the private apartments at Versailles not normally accessible to the public, as well as a number of very important eighteenth-century private houses in Paris, open by special permission

The MA will appeal to those seeking careers in heritage organisations, antique dealing/auctioneering, museums, conservation or interior design, though Jeremy Howard, the Programme Director, welcomes applications from candidates with a strong personal interest in the subject. 

For more information, please contact the Programme Director, Jeremy Howard (jeremy.howard@buckingham.ac.uk), or Linda Waterman (linda.waterman@buckingham.ac.uk) or visit -http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/london/decorative-arts/


Introduction to the MA programme:
http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/london/decorative-arts/

Paris Study Week:
http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/london/decorative-arts/paris.html

Country House Study Week:
http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/london/decorative-arts/country-house.html

What Our Alumni Say:
http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/london/decorative-arts/students.html