Art History

Just wondering if anyone could tell me a little bit about art history as a degree at uni? What your typical day consists of, the things you do etc and what unis are best?

Reply 1

uadyhddjh

Original post by meghanfatty

Just wondering if anyone could tell me a little bit about art history as a degree at uni? What your typical day consists of, the things you do etc and what unis are best?

hi - im a first year art history student studying at york. Theres not many Russell Groups let alone Unis doing Art History, so I would make sure the uni you apply to has it as a VERY separate subject [ york has an entire department for it and hasnt just been blended into art or history]. When I was looking, I was interested in York because of the good size, art collection available to students, history, and art history based things like Yorks Student run Gallery. I also liked Birmingham as they has a huge gallery with some really famous artpieces, and a library/study space/ dedicated lecture hall within the gallery for students. Nottingham sort of let me down in that it seemed to be blended into other subjects, but seemed good otherwise.

Art History at degree is very different to History, Art and even Art History at A Level [from someone who studied it lol], its much more philosophical since its sort of expected that you do the research into themes/styles i.e impressionism, realism by yourself. You still get taught some of this but its mostly from your reading. I have seminars and lectures - lectures tell you about what theyre talking about for that week, and then you have a seminar based off that, but still looking further. Its mostly discussions which is really good. For one of my classes this week, we look at documentary in images [Execution of Maximillian if you know it, recording events through art / if photography can be counted into this]. You read something for the lecture and then get told more about in the lecture halls, and then later in the week have a seminar which is smaller groups and discussion, focusing on the ideas raised and going through it in more detail.

Not sure about anyone else, but I have fewer contact hours than STEM degrees, but a LOT more reading. Stem seems to be having the lecture; then reviewing it afterwards - Humanities is learning something and then taking the Lectures/Seminars as discussion. For the rest of the week I do reading, and pre-seminar tasks like answering questions for it. Extracurricular is just sports, societies and going out. My exams are after each term [I have 2], and are 3 hour open book essays for each subject. Then after the first term [Jan], you do other subjects.

Id look at University rankings, obv you have Oxbridge and then Russel Groups, but also what art you want to focus on - if its coastal maybe looking at St Andrews or Plymouth for example. Theres London which is EXPENSIVE - but you have amazing access to Art Galleries and opportunities that other parts of the country dont.

Im happy to answer anything else as well about Uni :smile:

Reply 2

Kingston Zhi En

Official Rep

Hi there @meghanfatty , Kingston University offers a joint BA Fine Art & Art History course that may be of interest to you😊 Kingston is rated No.1 in London for Art and Design and boasts amazing open access facilities that ranges from 2D print making to 3D metal, ceramics and wood working. I would highly recommend going for an Open Day to get a better feel for the uni campus, course structure as well as speak to tutors and current students of the course. I hope this helps 😉

Here are some links you may find helpful:

•

Why I chose to study Fine Art & Art History

•

Fine Art & Art History Portfolio

Zhi En
Kingston Student Rep.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

In terms of strong unis for history of art, also keep in mind the Courtauld is probably one of the best places for it, possibly stronger in some respects than Oxbridge. Also bear in mind different unis may focus on different periods or regions - for example if you're very interested in non-Western history of art then SOAS may be the best option as this may be less well represented at other unis (they also have a joint course with UCL, or at least used to).

I did a history of art module when I was at SOAS, I really enjoyed it. As above there's a lot of reading, and a lot of writing. Also a lot of looking at things! Don't discount the value in going to look at something in person if available - while not history of art, I had to do a sort of similar-ish assignment in an archaeology module I took last year at my current uni (UCL) focusing on a particular object, and it was only because I happened to visit in the museum that I noticed a really interesting detail which they had some signage in the museum about (but not on the website for the museum) and that became a focal part of what I wrote in my assignment (which got very good marks - I suspect I would've gotten more average marks without having noticed and analysed that detail!).

I think a couple courses might have some slightly more practical conservation oriented/handling sessions but this may vary a lot depending on the uni/course.