Courtauld and UCL History of Art Application

Hello!
I’m looking into applying to the Courtauld and UCL undergrad for History of Art with GCSES 8776665555 and UCAS grades AAB. My personal statement and references are very good (work experience, volunteering, extra subject taken at weekends). Honestly, am I in with any chance?

I wouldn't be pessimistic about your chances of getting an offer from the Courtauld. However, you should be aware that History of Art at the Courtauld and History of Art at UCL are VERY difference courses and an entirely different academic experience and you won't suit both.

How are they so different?

The Courtauld is a broad-minded research led institution that strives to meet the highest academic standards and where the study of objects is at the heart of everything. UCL HoA has been radicalised by theory.

How are they so different?

wow, i wonder which one you went to!! lol no need to be so disparaging

on a more serious note when you say radicalised by theory are you talking about identity politics and the like? because i did feel like their website description was very buzzword-y

ah thank you!! i wasn’t aware that the aaa-abb was concerned with contextual offers - i thought at the open day they meant that was just the range they offered similar to other universities. i absolutely will do that. thank you so much again - hope it doesn’t sound too ‘confident’ if i say that was a very kind and reassuring reply 🥰

Hi there, as someone who is very familiar with the Courtauld and has participated in their summer uni, and attended multiple open days (and has just sent their application), please do not worry, their entry requirements are between AAA-ABB, and ABB is NOT the contextual offer (I believe it is BBB). So yes, you could be accepted into the Courtauld (obviously depending on your personal statement too)

This is true but when you get to the Courtauld the range of ability is quite wide and people with As and A*s at A-level and 7s at IB will be acing the essays. If you are less well prepared there will be catching up to do and it might be a little humiliating.

Don’t be so condescending, the person is a applying with AAB which is perfectly adequate. Also bare in mind that they may be a state school student, and the courtyard is concerned mostly with private school students, and are improving their acceptance of state school students, therefore they could be MORE likely to get in. Try not to be so rude and condescending next time

Hi this isn't totally relevant to your post but I was wondering what A-levels, work experience + volunteering you did? Did it relate to the History of Art field? Thanks!

Hi there, as someone who is very familiar with the Courtauld and has participated in their summer uni, and attended multiple open days (and has just sent their application), please do not worry, their entry requirements are between AAA-ABB, and ABB is NOT the contextual offer (I believe it is BBB). So yes, you could be accepted into the Courtauld (obviously depending on your personal statement too)

Don’t be so condescending, the person is a applying with AAB which is perfectly adequate. Also bare in mind that they may be a state school student, and the courtyard is concerned mostly with private school students, and are improving their acceptance of state school students, therefore they could be MORE likely to get in. Try not to be so rude and condescending next time

courtauld is literally just art historians. so their approach to the subject i think is a lot more serious – it’s def the more prestigious course! a lot of famous art historians went to courtauld/oxbridge. imo if you want a HoA course with lower requirements maybe consider looking into warwick also?

This is true but when you get to the Courtauld the range of ability is quite wide and people with As and A*s at A-level and 7s at IB will be acing the essays. If you are less well prepared there will be catching up to do and it might be a little humiliating.

hi!!! so sorry i haven’t been on here in a bit - i do classics civ, history and eng lit, as well as history of art through a charity at weekends 🙂 my work experience was at a sculpture park and i then volunteered there!!