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Cambridge History of Art Students and Applicants

I hold an unconditional offer at Caius and was wondering if anyone here
could give me information about this course. What kind of classes do u normally have? Can u combine this course with for instance Italian?:P Reading list etc. :smile:

Reply 1

DreamGirlx

Hey everyone, just a quick question about applying to a place like cambridge:
I'm planning on keeping on History, R.S. (philosophy and ethics) and psychology at A level and dropping Art at AS.
I was just wondering, are these subjects strong enough to apply to Cambridge in the first place?
I know history is highly regarded, and R.S also to a degree, but am getting the impression that psychology isn't! I just really want to keep it on as i really enjoy it!

I was just thinking about universities etc today,and for my other options I'm thinking of applying to Edinburgh, Warwick and York (I'm really undecided about a fourth!) I was just wondering if there is any point just taking a chance with Cambridge as my fifth choice, with these subjects? Considering history of art has way less applicants to something like history or english etc.

I got 5A* and 5A at gcse and have a huge passion for history of art, have read masses on it, and would LOVE to even apply to cambridge, but I'm worrying about whether they won't look upon my choices too favourably.. even though I love alllmy subjects to bits!

Anyway, it would just be really helpful if someone could put my mind to rest, and tell me if it's just wishful thinking that I could go somewhere like Cambridge!

Thanks all.

Reply 2

SiaSiaSia

16

Side note: Howcome you're dropping art if you want to take history of art?!

it says on the admissions site:

History of Art course requirements

No particular subjects at A level (or equivalent) are required for the History of Art course but subjects should be primarily academic. Subjects like History, English, Modern Languages, History of Art, Religious Studies and Classics are ideal, and Mathematics and experimental sciences are acceptable if accompanied by one or two arts A levels. Art/History of Art do not necessarily confer an advantage.

So History and RE you've got that and I can't remember where I saw it but usually they want two solid subjects at least, and psychology isn't that badly regarded compared to things like media studies. If I were you I'd continue Art too

Reply 3

DreamGirlx

SiaSiaSia

Side note: Howcome you're dropping art if you want to take history of art?!

it says on the admissions site:

History of Art course requirements

No particular subjects at A level (or equivalent) are required for the History of Art course but subjects should be primarily academic. Subjects like History, English, Modern Languages, History of Art, Religious Studies and Classics are ideal, and Mathematics and experimental sciences are acceptable if accompanied by one or two arts A levels. Art/History of Art do not necessarily confer an advantage.

So History and RE you've got that and I can't remember where I saw it but usually they want two solid subjects at least, and psychology isn't that badly regarded compared to things like media studies. If I were you I'd continue Art too

haha yeah I know a lot of people give me funny looks about dropping art.. erm fundamentally I would just rather concentrate on my academic subjects and do the best I can do in them (i am planning on carrying on the evening classes i take in art though). But also I'm kind of sick of my extremely-critical-of-everything-i-do teacher! It makes my lessons quite depressing to be honest haha, I just really don't know if i can stand him for another year!
Also just with the workload of Art, I just think I'd have a better shot at actually acheiving 3 As at A level without it! It's such a stressful subject.

So hmm the quote off the website looks quite encouraging then.. maybe it is worth a shot afterall!

Are you at cambridge at the moment? To be honest I can't even believe i'm even thinking of applying, I'm too scared to mention it to anyone at school or anyone in my family because I'm scared I'll just get laughed in the face! ... :s-smilie:

Reply 4

beccadimambro

DreamGirlx

haha yeah I know a lot of people give me funny looks about dropping art..

I have Scottish qualifications. I took Art, English, History, Maths, and Spanish for my Highers (AS-Level), and then English, Maths, and RMPS (Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies) for Advanced Higher (A-Level). And I got in!

However, that's because they dropped the Art & Design writing component the year I went to sit the AH, and there was no point in just drawing for another year (plus, that year of school is when anyone applying to art school does their portfolio rather than take a foundation year, so there weren't any applicants sitting the AH on its own.) I don't know how focused on History the A-Level Art course is.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it! Sit what you want; they'll glean everything they need to know about your 'visual sensitivity' in your interview :smile:

.

Reply 5

DreamGirlx

beccadimambro

I have Scottish qualifications. I took Art, English, History, Maths, and Spanish for my Highers (AS-Level), and then English, Maths, and RMPS (Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies) for Advanced Higher (A-Level). And I got in!

However, that's because they dropped the Art & Design writing component the year I went to sit the AH, and there was no point in just drawing for another year (plus, that year of school is when anyone applying to art school does their portfolio rather than take a foundation year, so there weren't any applicants sitting the AH on its own.) I don't know how focused on History the A-Level Art course is.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it! Sit what you want; they'll glean everything they need to know about your 'visual sensitivity' in your interview :smile:

.

oh my god wow well done! two thumbs up :smile:

and yeah hmm i'm going to see how i do in my AS's first and then if come out okay i'll think of applying, and hopefully be able to show my artistic side in the interview :smile:

so wow your doing the history of at course at the moment at cambridge? how are you finding it? is it really interesting? whats the workload like? what was the interview like? omg i have so many questions because i havent come across anyone else doing it at cam! ahhh!

Reply 6

kathykkw

I applied to Cambridge for history of art and I just realised that my A-levels are a bit unusual for such a subject. What do you think? Do they lower my chances by any chance?

AS: History, Math, Further Math, Modern Greek, French, Physics, Economics.
A2: History, Math, Physics and Modern Greek

I don't know whether this is relevant, but Greek is my mother-tongue.

Reply 7

EmersonDrain

10

Cambridge don't ask for specific A-levels for History of Art and your subjects are all proper academic subjects so that's not an issue. You have two arts subjects, both of which are listed as ideal, as well as two sciences which is a good balance and should stand you in good stead.

There may be a slight issue with your A-level Greek. Some universities are sniffy about native speakers taking language A-levels meant for non-native speakers but on the other hand that is just one of four A-levels that you are offering so I wouldn't think it a major issue.

I would just try and relax and wait to hear about interviews.

Reply 8

cwg1992

kathykkw

I applied to Cambridge for history of art and I just realised that my A-levels are a bit unusual for such a subject. What do you think? Do they lower my chances by any chance?

AS: History, Math, Further Math, Modern Greek, French, Physics, Economics.
A2: History, Math, Physics and Modern Greek

I don't know whether this is relevant, but Greek is my mother-tongue.

hey, wow you took A LOT of AS Levels. very impressive. what marks did u get?

which cambridge college are u applying to? I am applying to corpus christi.

If u think about the renaissance/humanist era, issues of science and maths were very strong as the artists and architects began to discover dimensions, perspective and volume, etc. research Da Vinci and Michaelangelo.... their work oozes scientific and mathematic knowledge.

So, what I'm saying is that u wont be at a disadvantage. i dont think any combination of subjects means u will be disadvantaged. it's probably about the way in which u apply the knowledge u HAVE gained to H of A. I did theatre studies for AS level (and dropped it) and this gave me analytical skills etc etc. u just gotta link the subjects. everything relates. I would assume that the subject u will need to get an A* in will be History (if they specify which subject)

Good luck. (ps. it's good that u know a language)x

Reply 9

daydreamdreamer

I'm a little scared. I've recently (a month ago) decided to do history of art at university, but i've never studied it, i've read a few books on it, visit galleries in my free time (i live in london, im lucky) and am genuinly interested in art, however, im really new to it but have a strong passion for it. Is it too much to compete with other students who have wanted to do it for longer and have read more and have more experience with it?

Also, I really want to go to Cambridge to study it (my first choice), however, im afraid my gcse grades arnt good enough (i know i'll get really good grades for my AS's because i feel bad for not revising for my gcses and getting the grades i got). I got 7 A's and 2 B's... i know they're okay grades, however, i also know they're mediocre compared to Cambridge students' and do NOT reflect my potention (btw, i did not revise for ANY of my exams - was going through a rough patch - wrong time in my life, i know lol). although im going to desperatly try to get in... i want to know if its too unrealistic, firstly with the history of art course, and secondly with Cambridge. I really need your advice (those who do history of art or attend cambridge) and would really appreciate it.

im so scared, this is my whole future...

Reply 10

EWS

1. this topic has its very own thread

2. from the fact that you have nothing substantial to lose from applying, we may infer that you should just apply

3. cambridge is not likely to be the only university in the uk that offers a course in the history of art

Reply 11

Laurie161

Hi, i'm not sure I'm exactly qualified to answer this. I just got a rejection from Cambridge for Architecture and am reapplying next year.

It is completely you own choice but I would suggest not to. Your GCSEs are great, absolutely, but there are so many people for one place and any have amazing grades at every level.

I have 5A*4As and a B and a predicted A*A*A*Aac and got rejected and I know many with stronger will have aswell. I'm taking 3 extra A levels and a foundation course next year just to give me an edge and theres still no guarantee.

Good luck :smile:

Reply 12

Maturity

14

Laurie161

Hi, i'm not sure I'm exactly qualified to answer this. I just got a rejection from Cambridge for Architecture and am reapplying next year.

It is completely you own choice but I would suggest not to. Your GCSEs are great, absolutely, but there are so many people for one place and any have amazing grades at every level.

I have 5A*4As and a B and a predicted A*A*A*Aac and got rejected and I know many with stronger will have aswell. I'm taking 3 extra A levels and a foundation course next year just to give me an edge and theres still no guarantee.

Good luck :smile:

Quite sad.

Reply 13

Laurie161

[INDENT]

Maturity

Quite sad.

Why?

Its better than sitting at home all year achieving nothing being bored, and wondering why I get rejected all over again next year :s-smilie:

Reply 14

Will1692

2

You say its better than sitting at home, yet with the workload you have, you will spend more time inside on the books than us with a life, away from education :smile:

To get into cambridge etc you need to be well rounded. If you have too many a levels people think complete nerd absolutely obsessed with learning has no life skills, in my opinion you would be better doing one meaningful a level and getting some real experience for your PS. Everyone applying for Cambridge has AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, so its the PS that separates a person.
Hope this helps :tongue:

Reply 15

Maturity

14

Laurie161

[INDENT]

Why?

Its better than sitting at home all year achieving nothing being bored, and wondering why I get rejected all over again next year :s-smilie:

You need a life.
Does it really matter if you go to Cambridge or not?

Reply 16

Ziffachan

2

For a start, what a levels are you doing? I know they like you having two languages if you wanna do art history.

Reply 17

Laurie161

Its not just cambridge, I ve only got an offer so far from my last choice :s-smilie:

and 3 rejections (damn my portfolio). Cambridge would just be one of my choices and in this context it was the only one I needed to mention.

Plus who says I don't/won't have a life, I manage 4 A levels and an As this year.

Reply 18

Will1692

2

Laurie161

Its not just cambridge, I ve only got an offer so far from my last choice :s-smilie:

and 3 rejections (damn my portfolio). Cambridge would just be one of my choices and in this context it was the only one I needed to mention.

Plus who says I don't/won't have a life, I manage 4 A levels and an As this year.

You seem to think more a levels = more chance.
It doesnt im afraid. 3 is standard and you may be looked at in a higher regard, but it just shows your only focused on grades.
Everyone at the top universities has awesome academics, but the ones that play sport, involved in music, are well rounded get the positions, as long as you have 3/4 a levels, your fine. Get a job for some real experience, then you have explored the subject outside of the classroom!

Reply 19

Laurie161

Will1692

To get into cambridge etc you need to be well rounded. If you have too many a levels people think complete nerd absolutely obsessed with learning has no life skills, in my opinion you would be better doing one meaningful a level and getting some real experience for your PS. Everyone applying for Cambridge has AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, so its the PS that separates a person.
Hope this helps :tongue:

I definately agree with the well rounded bit. The good thing about a gap year is your old enough to do all the things you want to do :biggrin:

I wasnt looking forward to it before but once you have holidays etc planned it gets exciting

Cambridge History of Art Students and Applicants

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