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The study of art history explores the evolution and significance behind paintings, sculptures, architectural works, and various design mediums. You'll have access to the University Library and Archives, along with The Hunterian—our museum and art gallery housing renowned collections like Hunter, Whistler, and Mackintosh. Additionally, Kelvin Hall, the University and city's cutting-edge collections-access center, will be available to you. A grant in your third-year vacation will support visits to museums, galleries, and architectural sites relevant to your coursework.
First-year courses, "Art History and Its Materials and Techniques" and "Art History in Action," offer a broad yet approachable introduction to the field, even for beginners. These classes explore works by celebrated artists, designers, and architects, including non-Western pieces, while addressing essential themes like material techniques, art theory, patronage, and stylistic evolution. Both courses prepare you for advanced study, though they can also serve as standalone introductions for those not continuing beyond Level 1. In subsequent years, you'll examine thematic groups that expand on first-year topics, with a stronger focus on theoretical and contextual frameworks—key for progressing to Honors-level study. You'll also explore diverse art-historical methodologies and the socio-cultural contexts of art creation and reception.
Graduates pursue careers in publishing, journalism, education, libraries, museums, galleries, heritage institutions, and art auction houses. Alumni have secured roles such as a Getty Collections Management Internship in the U.S. and curatorial or administrative positions at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Handel House, and the Design and Artists Collecting Society.