History of art

Single Honours 

• History of Art 

• Curatorial Studies 

• Museum Studies 

Joint Honours 

• History of Art and Fine Art 

• History of Art with Literature 

• History of Art and Film Studies 

• History of Art and Curating 

 SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

Alternative options 

• Foundation years A foundation year provides a solid foundation for those who may not have the grades for their preferred course. Typically lasting for a year, these programs help students get up to speed with required knowledge, while developing critical thinking and analytical skills. 

• Sandwich degrees A ‘sandwich’ year is usually taken between Year 2 and Year 3, or after Year 3, and gives an opportunity to gain practical experience through internships, museum placements, working in galleries, auction houses, or cultural institutions. 

• Integrated Master’s Pursuing an Integrated Master's degree in the history of art allows students to deepen their knowledge and skills in areas such as art theory, curatorial practice, and art conservation, gaining a postgraduate qualification at relatively little extra cost to an undergraduate degree. 

• Degree apprenticeships Typically lasting three to six years, degree apprenticeships combine academic study with practical training and work-based learning. Employers cover tuition fees and provide students with a wage which offsets the costs of study. 

SOURCE: WHATUNI

Studying the history of art requires a strong foundation in visual analysis, critical thinking, and essay-writing skills. While specific entry requirements may vary, prospective students typically benefit from A-levels or equivalent qualifications in humanities or arts-related subjects, such as history, English literature, art, or history of art. 

The history of art encompasses a wide range of specialist areas reflecting the breadth and depth of the subject. Students can focus on a particular period of time, cultural movement, artist, style, or even make comparisons between two different areas and establish a commentary on this relationship. With such a broad field to draw upon, specialisations are many, and can be very particular. 

Some popular specialisations include: 

• Renaissance art and architecture Emerging in Europe during the 14th to 17th centuries, this area is characterised by a revival of classical themes, humanism, and spatial perspective in artworks. Artists created masterpieces in painting and sculpture, while architects developed new techniques like linear perspective and classical proportions. 

• Modern and contemporary art This includes artistic movements from the late 19th century to the present day, typified by experimentation, abstraction, and cultural diversity. Traditional notions are challenged, and new materials, techniques, and concepts are explored, broadening the horizon of what is considered to be art. 

• Gender and identity in art This specialism examines how artists represent and challenge societal norms, particularly stereotypes and power dynamics related to gender, sexuality, race, and identity. Diverse perspectives are studies to readdress issues of representation and equality. 

• Curatorial and museum studies Focuses on the curation of cultural heritage in museums and galleries, encompassing collection management, exhibition design, audience engagement, and cultural preservation. Students prepare for profession work curating meaningful exhibitions, as well as educating and advocating for cultural conservation and accessibility. 

• Art conservation Involves the preservation and restoration of artworks and artefacts, through a variety of methods. Professionals assess, treat, and prevent deterioration caused by environmental factors, ageing, and human intervention, ensuring the longevity of individual art pieces and objects. 

• Ancient and classical art 

• Medieval art and architecture 

• Renaissance art  

• Critical theory and visual culture 

• Neoclassicism and romanticism 

• Modernism and avant-garde movements 

• Postmodernism 

• Global perspectives in art history 

You can expect to learn a great deal of knowledge, both general and specialised, about topics within the history of art, history, cultural development, sociology, and anthropology. You’ll be taught to assess the historical context, and cultural significance of artworks and objects, learning through a combination of lectures, seminars, and independent study. You’ll be able to interpret the meaning of various types of medium, from artworks, to essays and historical texts, placing your observations within broader historical and cultural frameworks. 

You’ll learn transferable skills which will benefit you in a wide variety of workplaces, allowing you to take on a multitude of roles in different types of businesses and organisations. 

These skills can include: 

• Advanced research methods 

• Essay writing 

• Text analysis 

• Observational skills  

• Time management  

History of art itself does not have professional accreditation, since there are so many sub-fields which carry accreditation of their own. You’ll decide to apply for these accreditations once you begin your career, based on whether you need them to start work, or if you want to become registered to demonstrate your competence and credibility.  

An example is The Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR), and accredited conservator-restorers (ACR) have demonstrated to assessors that they have the knowledge, skills and sound judgement to work at the highest level. 

If you’re committed to studying an art and culture focused degree but are considering alternative pathways to the history of art, there are several related degrees worth exploring since they have some crossover in terms of what you’ll cover at university. 

These include: 

• Art therapy 

• Cultural studies 

• Anthropology 

• Museum studies 

• Archaeology 

• Film studies 

Completing a history of art degree gives you a fascinating insight into the heritage of visual culture, and its relationship with different periods of time, evolutions of culture, and processes of design. You’ll be prepared for many career opportunities in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors, and will be qualified to play a key role in preserving and promoting visual culture for a diversity of future audiences. Potential career pathways include: 

• Art historian 

• Museum curator 

• Gallery manager 

• Art critic 

• Cultural heritage administrator 

• Art educator 

• Cultural researcher 

• Auctioneer  

• Heritage consultant 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You’ll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in the history of art or a related subject.