Art History,BA

Why study Art History at Aberystwyth?

So, what gives us the edge?

• Studying at the School of Art, you will have access to an internationally renowned collection of art and artefacts. Our collection consists of some 20,000 prints, photographs, drawings, paintings and ceramics. We actively draw on those original works of art to build a practical knowledge of art history.
• The School of Art is a government-accredited art museum that runs its own galleries. There are only two such schools in the UK. This means a hands-on study of art in a museum environment. It gives you the opportunity to engage creatively with art history by curating works from our collection as part of your degree scheme. For examples of a student-curated exhibition, visit our Museum and Galleries blog.
• As a student here, you will be joining one of highest-ranking art departments in the UK. The School of Art is the only university in Wales that awards an Art History degree.
• Our staff are actively engaged in research, and their findings inform our teaching in the School of Art. Our team of experts include well-known art historians, practicing curators and exhibiting artists.
• During your time in the School of Art, you will have the opportunity to work with and study our internationally renowned collection of prints, photographs, paintings and ceramics.
• All students in our school have access to our teaching facilities which include a MAC suite, studios and learning spaces.
• The highlight for all students in our department is curating an exhibition in our galleries as part of their degree scheme.
• On our doorstep is the National Library of Wales. One of only five copyright libraries in the United Kingdom, the National Library in Aberystwyth holds over six million books, maps, prints and manuscripts, and has an outstanding collection of paintings and works on paper.

Our Staff

Our teaching staff are practicing professionals. As exhibiting artists, publishing researchers and curators, they provide an informed and stimulating learning environment. This ensures that the skills you learn at the School of Art are practice orientated, relevant and applicable.

For further information, visit our individual staff profiles.

UCAS Tariff 120 - 96

A Levels BBB-CCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-26

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

Career opportunities

Research shows that the vast majority of our graduates build careers in their chosen field. Our graduates establish themselves as professional art historians, curators and administrators. Employers include:

• Arts Council
• BBC
• Design Council
• The Observer newspaper
• Royal Academy of Arts
• Royal Collections Trust
• Saatchi Gallery
• Tate Gallery
• Victoria and Albert Museum.

Our graduates are:

• university educators
• secondary school teachers
• art gallery managers
• museum or exhibition curators
• journalists
• art directors in publishing
• conservators of easel painting, ceramics and works on paper.

Each year a significant number of our graduates enrol on Master of Arts degree schemes at Aberystwyth University and elsewhere to enhance their career opportunities further.

Transferable Skills

The study of Art is not only intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding, it also has many practical benefits. It promotes creative problem solving, develops interpersonal skills and improves the ability to succeed in a changing world. These transferable skills are highly sought after in today’s job market, which is why they are actively promoted by us during your studies at the School of Art. They include the ability to:

• research facts and interpret information
• effectively communicate ideas, both orally and in writing
• connect theory to practice and develop interdisciplinary thinking
• work independently or as part of a creative team
• stay focussed, motivated and goal-oriented.

Work Experience

There are many opportunities to gain professional experience during your studies. For specific information, visit our Careers Service.

You can further enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme). Both are managed by our Careers Service team.