history of art a level

3

hey guys
i am studying history of art a-level edexcel and was wondering if any a* students could share some advice/share any resources or notes or quizlets or anything as i am predominantly self-studying it (sitting it in one year and learning all content in one year ) thank you! im doing the renaissance, baroque, identies, and war ty

Reply 1

vegemiteaddict

4

Original post

by nnnnnkkkkkk

hey guys
i am studying history of art a-level edexcel and was wondering if any a* students could share some advice/share any resources or notes or quizlets or anything as i am predominantly self-studying it (sitting it in one year and learning all content in one year ) thank you! im doing the renaissance, baroque, identies, and war ty

Hey

I got an A* in HoA last year, and I'm applying for HoA for 2026 entry. I studied the Renaissance, the 19th century, identities and nature.

I think people approach the A-level quite differently, but this is how I approached it

•

Start by learning the dates and some key lines of formal/visual analysis for each case study - I used Quizlet and physical flash cards for this (https://quizlet.com/user/ameliarro/folders/renaissance)

•

move onto key definitions (e.g. renaissance - humanism, neoplatanism, disegno, colore, iconography, etc) - and then pick case studies that a really good examples (3 examples impacted by humanism, 2/3 by neoplatonism, classical antiquity, idealism, etc etc)

•

I think making sure you really understand the question structures and almost have a formula to answer the questions (I've got really good notes on this if you want them - how to write a good 30 marker intro + question structure/formula)

•

I found it really useful to have my long-format, super-detailed notes on OneNote and then to revise to write summarised versions out on paper in the format of the assessment objectives

•

And the obvious one, remember practice essays and plans!

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 2

nnnnnkkkkkk

OP

3

thank you so so much! i really really appreciate it and the advice is so helpful!! could i possibly have the long form notes on ur essay structure/formula and long form notes for case stduies of you feel comfotable sharing as i am predominantly self studying? thank you so so sos so much!!! ur the best!

Reply 3

vegemiteaddict

4

What case studies are you doing (for Renaissance and identities)? There are so many options, so I just want to make sure I'm sending the right ones through.
Question Guidance_2.png

My formula essentially worked like this for 12/15 and 25/30 markers:

1.

Start with the work (in the right format - e.g. Masaccio's, Trinity, 1426)

2.

Outline your brief argument

3.

Then use the AO's like a checklist

4.

start with AO2

5.

Then AO1 to help build your points

6.

Use your AO1 and AO2 to build your points

7.

Then round off your argument with AO3

Sorry, it's a bit rusty - I haven't thought about it in a few months, and I've actually realised I have no idea where my actual notes are

Reply 4

Esme Skevington

1

Original post

by vegemiteaddict

Hey
I got an A* in HoA last year, and I'm applying for HoA for 2026 entry. I studied the Renaissance, the 19th century, identities and nature.
I think people approach the A-level quite differently, but this is how I approached it

•

Start by learning the dates and some key lines of formal/visual analysis for each case study - I used Quizlet and physical flash cards for this (https://quizlet.com/user/ameliarro/folders/renaissance)

•

move onto key definitions (e.g. renaissance - humanism, neoplatanism, disegno, colore, iconography, etc) - and then pick case studies that a really good examples (3 examples impacted by humanism, 2/3 by neoplatonism, classical antiquity, idealism, etc etc)

•

I think making sure you really understand the question structures and almost have a formula to answer the questions (I've got really good notes on this if you want them - how to write a good 30 marker intro + question structure/formula)

•

I found it really useful to have my long-format, super-detailed notes on OneNote and then to revise to write summarised versions out on paper in the format of the assessment objectives

•

And the obvious one, remember practice essays and plans!

Hello! Thank you so much for posting these tips, well done on your results! 👏 Would you be able to share your formulas to answer the questions in the exam? I'm trying to develop these in all my subjects!
Also, do you know what universities are good for art history degrees? I'm looking into it at the moment, my first choice is Cambridge, then Durham. St Andrews is meant to be amazing for History of Art, but it's so far away from me! 😅
Many thanks,
Esme

Reply 5

Esme Skevington

1

Original post

by Esme Skevington

Hello! Thank you so much for posting these tips, well done on your results! 👏 Would you be able to share your formulas to answer the questions in the exam? I'm trying to develop these in all my subjects!
Also, do you know what universities are good for art history degrees? I'm looking into it at the moment, my first choice is Cambridge, then Durham. St Andrews is meant to be amazing for History of Art, but it's so far away from me! 😅
Many thanks,
Esme

AAH sorry I don't know how I didn't that see that huge post you sent with all your formulas! Thank you!

Reply 6

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by Esme Skevington

Hello! Thank you so much for posting these tips, well done on your results! 👏 Would you be able to share your formulas to answer the questions in the exam? I'm trying to develop these in all my subjects!
Also, do you know what universities are good for art history degrees? I'm looking into it at the moment, my first choice is Cambridge, then Durham. St Andrews is meant to be amazing for History of Art, but it's so far away from me! 😅
Many thanks,
Esme

The Courtauld is probably the front runner for history of art in general. Depending on particular interests of periods/regions I think Warwick (particularly for Renaissance) or UCL (seem to have a lot of contemporary options if that's of interest?) may be worth a look. Maybe SOAS if you're interested in Asian/African/Middle Eastern art?

Reply 7

Humayra SOAS

Official Rep

6

Hey,

As @artful_lounger kindly shouted us out, we are a London based institution in the heart of Bloomsbury under the University of London federation. We specialise in the areas of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and if you want to view History of Art and artworks through a non-Eurocentric lens to broaden your knowledge of the course.

For more information, have a look at the link I've posted below to see how the course is structured and some example modules you can take:

SOAS BA History of Art

If you'd like to see the campus in person, you can either wait for the open day that takes place in June (date TBC), you can book a campus tour to see us quicker via the link below:

SOAS Campus Tour Booking

Good luck with your studies and all the best for the future. 😊

BA Global Liberal Arts
Student Rep

Reply 8

Esme Skevington

1

Original post

by artful_lounger

The Courtauld is probably the front runner for history of art in general. Depending on particular interests of periods/regions I think Warwick (particularly for Renaissance) or UCL (seem to have a lot of contemporary options if that's of interest?) may be worth a look. Maybe SOAS if you're interested in Asian/African/Middle Eastern art?

Thank you so much for your advice, this has really changed my perspective on the universities that you mentioned. It's great to know their specialised areas.
Do you know if the university of Birmingham is strong in art history? I am looking for a course which covers broad time periods (i.e from as early as medieval art if that's possible at undergrad, up to the present day) , with as much focus on the European tradition as possible. Thank you for your help!

Reply 9

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by Esme Skevington

Thank you so much for your advice, this has really changed my perspective on the universities that you mentioned. It's great to know their specialised areas.
Do you know if the university of Birmingham is strong in art history? I am looking for a course which covers broad time periods (i.e from as early as medieval art if that's possible at undergrad, up to the present day) , with as much focus on the European tradition as possible. Thank you for your help!

I'm not really familiar with that many other unis for art history unfortunately (although that's not to say Birmingham doesn't have strengths in the area I just couldn't say!).

Oxford has a pretty broad ranging course in terms of time periods I believe. UCL also nominally cover the whole range in the first year surveys although I think a lot of the later year options focus a bit more on contemporary and modern art as well as critical approaches. Although the Courtauld may be the best option still :redface:

Maybe have a look at Edinburgh College of Art too? I think you can combine it with various other subjects in a joint honours there including for example architectural history :smile:

It seems the course there is also embedded in the ECA so I suppose might be a good way to make contacts with upcoming artists on the creative arts programmes if contemporary curation is an area you might be interested in later!

Reply 10

Esme Skevington

1

Original post

by artful_lounger

I'm not really familiar with that many other unis for art history unfortunately (although that's not to say Birmingham doesn't have strengths in the area I just couldn't say!).
Oxford has a pretty broad ranging course in terms of time periods I believe. UCL also nominally cover the whole range in the first year surveys although I think a lot of the later year options focus a bit more on contemporary and modern art as well as critical approaches. Although the Courtauld may be the best option still :redface:

Maybe have a look at Edinburgh College of Art too? I think you can combine it with various other subjects in a joint honours there including for example architectural history :smile:

It seems the course there is also embedded in the ECA so I suppose might be a good way to make contacts with upcoming artists on the creative arts programmes if contemporary curation is an area you might be interested in later!

Thank you so much for this! It has been lovely chatting with you, it's rare to find someone so knowledgable!

Reply 11

EssexOfficialRep

Official Rep

11

Hi @nnnnnkkkkkk 🙂

It is great that you are researching the best way to revise for your A-levels. Our University has some information on revision tips and hacks: https://www.essex.ac.uk/undergraduate/revision

We teach Art History at the University of Essex, where you can:

•

Enjoy regular visits to London galleries, including Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the National Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as many independent and alternative spaces.

•

Study in Colchester (Britain's first city). Steeped in history, and surrounded by ancient Roman walls and ruins, there's a castle for you to explore and the Firstsite gallery, which runs an exciting programme of art exhibitions, film screenings and talks.

•

Study a broad range of modules allow you to specialise in certain fields or approach your course from a wider angle.

You can also talk to one of our Art History students on Unibuddy to find out more about the course!

Good luck with your revision and exams! 🍀
From EssexOfficalRep 💜

history of art a level

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