Master's in Art History and Archaeology
Université PSL
Prepared within the EPHE-PSL, this master's degree trains specialists in art history and archaeology through five training courses. This master's degree offers two international courses in partnership with the University of Basilicata and the University of Bologna in Italy, allowing students to obtain a double degree.
The master’s degree in art history and Archaeology offers cutting-edge training focused on research and documentation in the center of Paris. The richness of the EPHE-PSL lectures guarantees the quality of the teaching.
National Venues and Resources
The program, whose seminars in art history and archaeology are primarily taught at the Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art (INHA), benefits from the proximity of specialized libraries (notably the INHA library) and heritage collections, notably the Louvre Museum and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Document commentary and mastery of bibliographic tools are facilitated thanks to the libraries housed on site. Individualized tutoring allows students to make the most of the resources available.
Pedagogical Expertise Focused on Methodology and Practice
This in-depth training in Art History and Archaeology allows students to master the methodological foundations across a broad chronological and thematic range while leading them to progressive specialization from the first year.
The second year is devoted to writing a research dissertation, which is defended before a jury at the end of the year. Preparatory work is facilitated by personalized support from the Research Director.
Throughout this master's program, particular attention is paid to oral presentations.
Field Internships
An internship is strongly recommended for students, depending on the opportunities offered during their studies, particularly in museums or archaeological sites. Field internships can also be considered a professional development internship.
Proposed Programs
The master’s in art history and Archaeology offers 6 programs.
- Master 1 in Art History and Archaeology.
- Master 1 in Archaeology and Art History (double French-Italian Master's degree with the University of Basilicata).
- Master 2 in Art History.
- Master 2 in Archaeology.
- Master 2 in Archaeology, "Archaeology and Art History" track (double French-Italian Master's degree with the University of Basilicata).
- Master 2 in Arts, Museology, and Curatorial Activities (double French-Italian Master's degree with the University of Bologna).
This master’s degree is affiliated with the graduate program in Historical Sciences.
Recommended undergraduate majors for admission to the M1 program
- Bachelor's degree: Art History and Archaeology / History / Literature / Philosophy / Humanities / Musicology / Humanities.
- Social Sciences / Political Science / Law.
- Undergraduate degrees demonstrating the acquisition of skills comparable to those of graduates from the programs mentioned above will also be carefully considered (e.g., undergraduate diploma from the École du Louvre or literary preparatory class).
Recruitment Procedure
Based on application files.
Expectations for entry to the M1 program
- Proficiency in written French. For international candidates without proof of French language proficiency (B2 level), a test must be taken at the start of the academic year, and FLE (French as a Foreign Language) will be mandatory below a B2 level.
- To have an excellent general knowledge.
- To demonstrate the acquisition of academic and/or personal knowledge and skills in art history and archaeology.
- To present a research project in line with your training and skills.
General criteria for reviewing applications for the M1 program
- A tutor’s certificate.
- A cover letter.
- Research project with the signed agreement of the future tutor who will lead the research and who must be a member of the program.
- A Curriculum Vitae.
- Copies of higher education diplomas; translations into French for foreign diplomas or, in the absence of it , into English.
- Copies of higher education transcripts (L1, L2, S5 of L3 required), translations into French for foreign diplomas with transcripts.
If you hold a bachelor (Bac+3) level diploma not covered by the Ministry of Higher Education, please complete and attach the Validation of Prior Learning (VA) form to your application.
Composition of the Recruitment Committee
6 members (5 directors of studies and 1 lecturer).
2026/27 Recruitment Calendar
- From February 17th to March 16th, 2026
Recruitment for the first year master’s program will be conducted on "My Master's," the national master's platform..
This platform is intended for:
- students holding (or preparing for) a national bachelor's degree or another diploma granting access to the master's program, whether they are French citizens or nationals of the European Economic Area, Andorra, Switzerland, or Monaco;
- foreign applicants whose country of residence does not benefit from the Études en France program (list of countries available on the Campus France website and the Études en France portal).
Applicants of foreign nationality (excluding nationals of the European Economic Area, Andorra, Switzerland, or Monaco), whose country of residence is eligible for the Études en France program, as well as applicants seeking admission to the second year of a master’s degree, must submit their applications through PSL University's TALENT recruitment platform.
Applications on the "My Master's" website will be available starting February 17th, 2026. Applicants must go directly to the platform to apply for the first year of the master’s degree.
Information on this program and the schedule are available here
Applicants excluded from the program and seeking admission to the second year of a master’s degree are invited to submit their applications through l PSL University's recruitment platform.
Master 1
The following courses are mandatory for the master’s 1 program: a tutor's research seminar, a methodology course, a foreign language course (or FLE) in the first semester, and a research project, representing 27 ECTS credits. To obtain the last 3 ECTS credits, students will choose one or more of the following: a research seminar, a tutor's seminar (worth 6 ECTS), a classical languages course, or they will complete their internship.
- M1 History of Art and Archaeology
This program includes the research supervisor's seminar, two presentations of mini thesis in the form of a major oral presentation, a methodology course, as well as introductory courses to other disciplines or classical languages courses and a language course, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility in terms of orientation. Art history and archaeology courses are taught at the INHA.
- M1 Archaeology and Art History (double Franco-Italian master's degree with the University of Basilicata))
Students enrolled in the international track in France at EPHE follow the same courses as those enrolled in the national track. They must choose a modern language course in Italian (except for students with a B2 level).
Master 2
The following teaching units are mandatory for the Master 2 program: a tutor's research seminar, a dissertation preparation, and a dissertation writing and defense. To obtain the final 3 ECTS credits, students will choose one or more of the following: a research seminar, a tutor's seminar (worth 6 ECTS), classical languages courses, or they will complete their internship.
- M2 Art History
This program includes the research supervisor's seminar as well as introductory seminars. Focusing on writing the final dissertation, it aims to acquire the methods and tools necessary for research in art history.
- M2 Archaeology
The courses focus on the archaeology of the ancient worlds of Europe and the Mediterranean, from Protohistory to Islamic archaeology. In addition to research seminars, students receive practical training through prospecting, excavation, and study internships at a series of dedicated sites and heritage institutions.
- Archaeology and Art History Program (double Franco-Italian Master's degree with the University of Basilicata))
Specialization in the fields of Italian archaeology and art history, and possibly the archaeology of the western and central Mediterranean. Students spend at least one semester at the University of Basilicata, where they follow the courses best suited to their chosen specialty and begin preparing their dissertation. They may participate in archaeological field trips offered by the University of Basilicata and the EPHE in southern Italy.
- Arts, Museology, and Curatorial Activities (AMAC) program (a joint Franco-Italian master's degree with the University of Bologna))
Specializing in the fields of museology and museum practices.
At the EPHE-PSL, the internationalization of our courses means that every student has the opportunity to undertake a study or internship mobility program.
The International Relations Department assists students in defining and implementing their projects, identifying the most appropriate financial instruments and schemes.
Holder of the “Welcome to France” label and the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 charter, the EPHE-PSL has also been welcoming a large and growing number of international students for many years.
Go to International relations
Download: Directory of financial mechanisms and instruments for international projects
Who should you contact? International Relations Department
