York Minster Studentship

This studentship will provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to undertake a placement with York Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Further details about the studentship research project to be confirmed.

  • Funding: £1000
  • Academic year: 2023/24
  • Open to: International (including EU) and UK (home) students
  • Qualification level: Postgraduate taught
Applications for 2023/24 are closed.

The seat of the Archbishop of York, the Cathedral and the Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York, or York Minster as it is better known, is the mother church of the Northern Province and the Cathedral for the Diocese of York. It is a centre for Christian life in the North of England and is one of the most iconic and famous buildings in the United Kingdom.

York Minster has been a place of prayer and pilgrimage for over 1,400 years and worship is still at the heart of Minster life. It is also a gothic masterpiece in stone and stained glass. It is a magnet that draws people to visit the City of York and is a defining symbol of the ancient “capital of the North”. Each year around 700,000 people from all over the world come to explore the Minster, and visitor surveys find a high level of satisfaction from their experience. It is one of the centres of York’s lively cultural life, hosting many concerts and exhibitions alongside the daily pattern of worship and prayer.

York Minster’s collections consist of over 300,000 objects, from stained glass, silver and furniture to archaeology, stonework and textiles. The Minster is home to an Accredited Museum, the Undercroft Museum, the largest Cathedral Library in the country with over 90,000 volumes, and archival records and manuscripts dating back a thousand years.

Placement Project - Celebrating Women at York Minster

Across its history, York Minster has been shaped by the – often overlooked – contributions of women.

From craftswomen, patrons, donors, and saints, women have played a key role in how we experience the building today.

To support our 2025 celebration of women at the Minster, this placement will involve undertaking research and preparatory scoping work for an exhibition. This may include working with archival materials at York Minster Library and Archives, as well as the collection.

Eligibility

Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.

Open to students in the Department of History of Art.

Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.

Open to students in the Department of History of Art on the MA in History of Art, or a related pathway degree (i.e. Architectural History and Theory/British Art/Medieval art and Medievalisms/Modern and Contemporary Art).

Studentship applications are welcomed from all full-time students, and part-time students in their second year of study, regardless of fee status (Home, EU or Overseas).

How to apply

Application deadline: Monday 16 October 2023, 11am BST

Please fill in the Google Form (linked above) by 11am on Monday 16 October 2023.

As part of this, you will be required to:

1) Upload your CV.

2) Describe in no more than 500 words your interest in, and suitability for, this partnership opportunity. In particular, we will be looking for:

  • your awareness of, interest in and commitment to the period/theme/collection(s) of the partner institution (please note the project outline described above);
  • any relevant skills, knowledge and/or experience;
  • how you see the award fitting in with and facilitating your career plans.

You are advised to consult the information on this page and the Minster's own website before you apply. 

Interviews of short-listed applicants will take place on Friday 27 October

Please email histart-admissions@york.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Terms and conditions

The placement will be for 3 weeks full-time in May or June 2024 (or an equivalent number of days stretched over a longer period of time).

Further details about the studentship research project to be confirmed.

Contact details

History of Art Postgraduate Admissions Team

histart-admissions@york.ac.uk