Why study art history?

Are you fascinated by the historical and cultural context of art? Do you want to know how different art forms were created and what their significance is? If yes, a degree in art history is an excellent choice. You will learn about different cultures, movements, artists, and perspectives over the course of history. You will also gain many valuable skills that can help you grow and develop your career. So, whether your goal is to work in a gallery or museum, or in a completely different field, an art history degree will equip you with a range of skills suitable for many different professions. We explain exactly how an art history degree can do this and why it’s an interesting option.

What is art history?

Art history is the study of art across different time periods. By studying art, we can better understand the human experience throughout history. This field involves analyzing the meaning of art in relation to the geographical, social, political, cultural, historical, and psychological contexts in which they were created. Whether it’s the sculptures of ancient Greece, renaissance paintings, abstract expressionism, or art nouveau, you can expect to gain a deep understanding of these different movements.

Why study art history?

Studying art history provides a unique window into what it means to be human. It’s an examination of how we express ourselves and negotiate the world we live in. Art history gives you a new and critical perspective allowing you to see the world a little differently. Some of the primary reasons why a degree in the history of art is engaging are:

It’s a multidisciplinary qualification drawing on numerous specialisations from literature to anthropology.
It offers a wide variety of options and specialist areas of study.
It gives you a perspective not only on the past but the present, especially with regard to the challenges society faces.
You learn how to synthesise, interpret and understand large amounts of information.
You develop a great sense of design and aesthetics.

While creative degrees are often perceived as less academic than STEM subjects an art history degree will provide you with many useful and desirable skills such as:

Critical thinking
Analytical skills
Communication skills
Empathy
Forming an argument
Listening to others
Problem-solving
Visual awareness
Independent research skills

What will I learn in an art history degree?

The content of an art history degree will vary depending on your choice of university. However, many degrees cover similar topics and art movements such as:

Art and space
Modern art
Surrealism
Sculpture
Feminism, gender, sexuality
Romanticism
Impressionism
Renaissance art
Classical art
African art
History of photography
Philosophy and psychology of art
Art criticism

Most universities will also give you the choice of optional modules to suit your interests each year. Sometimes you are able to combine your art history major with an additional humanities subject, such as language.

Want to study art history in the USA? Check out the below universities:

How long is an art history degree?

A bachelor’s degree in art history will generally take three to four years depending on your chosen study destination. For example, bachelor’s degrees typically take four years in the USA and three years in the UK.

Master’s degrees take between one to two years depending on the study destination and whether you decide to study on a part-time or full-time basis.

What are the entry requirements for an art history degree?

What do you need to be accepted for a place on an art history course? Firstly, it depends on where you want to study as admissions requirements vary according to each institution. However, we’ve looked into the entry requirements across a variety of universities to get a general sense of what you need as an international student applying for an undergraduate degree in art history:

Proof of English language proficiency (typically IELTS 6.0- 6.5 with no component lower than 5.5-6.0)
A-levels – BBC-AAB
International baccalaureate – 34-35 points
BTEC – DDM
Personal statement

It would be beneficial for your application if you studied history and/or art at A-level or equivalent so that you have some foundational knowledge, but this isn’t always a prerequisite. Make sure you check the university website for specific entry requirements for the year of intake that you are applying.

For a postgraduate degree in art history, you will need:

Typically, a 2:1 or upper 2:1 undergraduate degree
GPA 3.5 or above (US applicants)
Proof of English language proficiency 6.5-7.0
Personal statement
Academic reference

If you don’t meet the English language requirements of the programme you are applying to, you might need to complete a pre-sessional English course before you begin your master’s degree. Your bachelor’s degree also doesn’t necessarily need to be in art history, but you will need to demonstrate your interest in the subject.

Want to see some UK universities offering art history courses? Check out the institutions below:

What are the career prospects like?

Art history graduates are highly employable across a broad range of industries, giving graduates the freedom to choose a suitable profession. Many art history graduates pursue the following professions:

Art gallery manager
Museum curator
Art director
Picture editor
Event manager
Journalist
Librarian
Conservationist
Marketing/public relations
Publishing
Teaching

As you can see, your options are far from limited after an art history degree but if you’re not keen on these careers, there’s no need to reconsider your choice. You just need to make sure that you tailor your CV and cover letter to the job you are applying for. Luckily, art history graduates gain many transferrable skills that are highly relevant to many professions. However, we recommend gaining some work experience or volunteering to demonstrate your interest in the field you want to enter.

In the UK, 61.6 per cent of art history graduates are employed, with an additional 12.5 per cent in further education (Graduate Prospects). Your potential salary will depend on which field you choose to go into. See below for a few examples:

Art gallery manager – GBP 25,000 to GBP 40,000

Museum curator – GBP 26,000 to GBP 35,000

Art director – GBP 25,000 to GBP 45,000

Picture editor – GBP 31,000

Event manager – GBP 25,000 to GBP 40,000

As you can see, these salaries do vary, as it will depend on your level of experience and where you are located.

Hopefully, you’ve got a better sense of what to expect from an art history course and where it could take you. If you’re still not sure about the programme or university, make sure you try out our course matcher tool to find what’s right for you.