The study of Arts & Humanities is primarily concerned with the human condition and its influence. It is to explore the fundamental questions of existence like – what is the purpose of life? Why are we born? What makes us human? How do we make a difference?
Most programs take an interdisciplinary approach, drawing inspiration from diverse fields such as art, classics, history, language, literature, philosophy and religion. You may be required to study broadly from multiple fields or may be encouraged to opt for specialisation.
Many schools offer Master of Arts in Humanities as well as PhD, often focusing on interdisciplinary studies. If you are interested in community involvement and leadership roles, particularly in the non-profit sector, you can go for MA in Humanities degree. However, if you are interested in teaching and research, a doctoral program is the ideal choice.
At the same time, you should choose the program that fits your criteria and availability. Two types of models are available- part-time and full-time. If you are a working professional, then you can go for a part-time program. However, in case you are looking for face-to-face interaction, classroom discussions and on-campus experience, you should opt for a full-time program.
As per the QS World University Ranking, the US boasts of the maximum number of top universities offering a degree in Arts & Humanities. The highest-ranking university is Harvard with a total of four undergraduate courses in the subject. The course is specifically designed to help the students better understand the world.
The university is offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Art, Film and Visual Studies, Celtic Languages & Literatures, East Asian Languages & Civilizations, Music, Linguistics, The Classics, Comparative Literature, English, South Asian Studies etc. Harvard programs are highly acclaimed and have a universal appeal. The world-renowned faculty coupled with extensive curriculum & employer reputation makes Harvard the ideal destination for higher studies in humanities.
MIT is known to be one of the finest schools in the US to get an (undergraduate) degree in liberal arts /sciences and humanities. Located in Cambridge, MIT is a private (not-for-profit) school with a nationwide presence. It offers courses such as Bachelor of Science in Humanities, Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Engineering as well as Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Science. Furthermore, it offers multiple undergraduate and graduate programs in other disciplines.
The University of Chicago is another famous university offering courses in humanities. The Master of Arts Program in the Humanities (MAPH) is a one-year pragmatic introduction to graduates and is suitable for students who wish to expand their knowledge across disciplines. The program is ideal for professionals who are considering an academic career and have not had a prior background in this domain for direct entrance into a PhD.
Cornell’s Liberal Arts Mission of the College of Arts & Sciences is central to the university’s educational aspirations. It offers courses in Archaeology, French Studies, Jewish Studies, Medieval Studies etc. There are almost 40 majors to choose from. Research-oriented programs, holistic student experience, renowned faculty are the green flags to be considered.
UMICH’s College of LSA (Literature, Science and Arts) offers both undergraduate and graduate courses. Programs cover all fields from art history, dance, literature, music to visual art. UMICH believes in theoretical as well as practical experience. Hence, the Arts & Ideas curriculum provides academic training in the actual practise of these art forms. It provides global cultural production understanding from particularly three key perspectives: thoughtful analytic engagement; historical depth; and studio discovery.
University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Science is one of Canada’s most research-intensive enterprises. There is a total of 80 programs in humanities encompassing all aspects of human culture like music, classics, history, culture, religion, drama, philosophy, language and literature etc. It is home to 43 interdisciplinary centres, schools and institutes including the Jackman Humanities Institute, Conflict and Justice, the Trudeau Centre for Peace and the Centre for Medieval Studies. You may find it easier to research since the faculty has partnerships/collaborations with industry, governments and non-governmental organisations.
McGill University has the largest faculty of Arts with 13 departments within the faculty including philosophy, political science, classical studies, history, English, and anthropology. Both undergraduate and graduate courses are offered by these departments. 22 interdisciplinary programs are available for students who wish to combine their liberal arts studies with another discipline. Students are taught to think critically and communicate effectively. There are four schools: Information Studies, Religious Studies, Social Work, and the Max Bell School of Public Policy and four institutes, namely, Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, Islamic Studies, Study of International Development and the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada. The world-renowned faculty of Art at McGill have been recognized for their teaching and research.
UBC Faculty of Arts offers six undergraduate degree options through the department- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of International Economics, Bachelor of Media Studies, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Social Work. You can also choose from 9 dual degrees if you wish to combine the arts with another area of study. Over 80 graduate programs are available across various fields like anthropology, art history, classics, creative writing, geography and political science. Moreover, UBC provides many opportunities to acquire hands-on experience through international exposure, community engagement, and research opportunities.
The faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Montreal has 25 departments, schools and institutes to help the student understand the knowledge and understanding of humanity and nature. Its Department of Philosophy is the largest in Quebec offering courses in the history of ancient, Western, medieval, modern and Chinese philosophy, ethical and political philosophy and philosophy of language and science for both undergraduate and graduate levels. Its Department of Anthropology is one of its kind in North America with over 150 courses.
University of Alberta’s faculty of arts offers one of the most diverse UG and graduate programs with over 300 professors across 15 departments, scores of interdisciplinary programs, including Criminology, Economics, Film Studies and Drama and English. Furthermore, there are more than 900 distinct courses in the humanities, social sciences and fine arts. You will also get to interact with world-class researchers in Edmonton and from around the world.
Europe is home to some of the best Universities for arts and humanities. Oxford is undoubtedly one of the top universities in Europe offering world-class teaching and research with an increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary study. Other top universities are the London School of Economics and Political Science, King’s College London, Durham University and the University of Manchester. In Germany, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin continues to be the highest-ranked German institution for arts and humanities and is joined by Freie Universitaet Berlin and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. The list would be incomplete without mentioning noteworthy Italian universities like Universita’ IUAV di Venezia and the University of Milano-Bicocca. Università di Bologna and Sapienza – Università di Roma are equally praiseworthy. France’s 14 universities offering arts and humanities programs are among the top 100 world universities including Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Sorbonne University.
Ques.1 What are the requirements to study in American Universities?
All humanities programs in the US require the following materials -15-20 page writing sample (except for Music, Master of Arts Program, Visual Arts in the Humanities courses), Statement of purpose (except for Visual Arts courses), letters of recommendation, Transcripts/Documents for all previous degrees and coursework, GRE test scores (optional), Application fee, TOEFL or IELTS test scores.
Ques.2 What are the requirements to study in Canadian Universities?
To apply for these courses, you may need to submit your IELTS/TOEFL/IB scores. The other requirements are an offer letter from the university of your choice, proof of financial support for your study program and accommodations, and medical fitness certificate. The process might be complicated, hence, we recommend that you seek assistance from Manya’s Canada study visa experts before applying for your student visa. Connect with us at Manya – The Princeton Review Private Limited for more information on visa requirements/applications.
Ques.3 Does Art have scope in foreign countries?
Yes, there are wonderful career opportunities for those who have pursued undergraduate or graduate studies abroad. In fact, there is a huge demand for Art professionals in places like the UK and other European and Middle Eastern nations.
If you are planning to study abroad and searching to match your profile with the best suited university, Experts at Manya – The Princeton Review have gathered important information of top Universities from abroad. Surely, this information will help you narrow down your quest for universities. You can access accurate & authentic information related to rankings, application fees, average tuition fees, cost of living, scholarships, latest updates, and much more from more than 1000+ universities. You may also search for universities by name, country, or courses in common specializations, such as Physics, Finance, Business, Language and Culture, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Computer and IT, Media and Communication Marketing.
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