History of Art

BA History of Art flexible honours provides a first-class rounded education and excellent intellectual training. While the primary focus is on the visual arts, the subject also touches on many other traditional humanities disciplines such as literature, history, religion, languages, classics, psychology and philosophy, with which it provides natural subject combinations. The programme covers a broad range of periods from Classical Greece through to the modern day.

Students acquire skills of critical and historical analysis and the ability to evaluate evidence and present arguments fluently, both orally and in writing.

Study term in Florence

History of Art students can opt to start either in September or January. September entrants have the unique opportunity of studying Italian art in the beautiful city of Florence for one term at the British Institute in Florence (for which there is an additional fee; more information).

In addition to this there are numerous study trips within the UK, including Waddesdon Manor, the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Tate Modern.

Special features

• Hands-on study of art with frequent study visits
• A unique partnership with the British Institute in Florence providing an introduction to art history in Italy exclusively for Buckingham students (September entry only)
• Available to study with a Heritage Management minor, offering a combination of theoretical and vocational study
• Close links with museums (including the Wallace Collection), heritage organisations and the art market
• A varied range of subjects including design and decorative arts, art markets, museums and country houses
• Opportunities for practical project work and academic research
• Excellent record of graduate employment
• Competitive fees
• Generous scholarships/bursaries

BA History of Art Flexible Honours

Make your degree as unique as you! If you choose History of Art (Flexible Honours) you'll have the freedom to tailor your History of Art degree to reflect your interests and passions by combining it with a wide range of other subjects taught here at the University. This means that when you graduate you will have a highly personalised degree that will suit you and your aspirations perfectly.

If you choose BA History of Art Flexible Honours you have the freedom to select up to a third of your modules from the whole range of what is taught at the University. This means you can mix and match lots of different subjects >with History of Art. At every stage, your Personal Tutor will be on hand to advise and guide your choices.

Quality teaching

We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners - senior academic staff from other universities in the UK - who approve and moderate assessed work.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures supported by seminars and tutorials. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. It is also the philosophy of the University's faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.

Art History modules introduce students to the materials and methods, providing an historical overview of western art and architecture from Greece and Rome to the modern and contemporary world. Students also study the art market, decorative arts and the English country house.

Term in Florence

A unique feature of Buckingham's Art History programme is the opportunity to start your degree with an inspiring introductory term in Florence. If you choose to start your BA in September, after an initial week of orientation and preparation at Buckingham you will spend your first term studying the University's own modules which are taught in English at the British Institute of Florence, situated beside the River Arno in part of a Renaissance palace in the heart of the historic centre of the city. More information and video.

Assessment methods

The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by examination, assessed coursework, or a combination of the two. Please check module information for more details.

Preparation for work

All our degree courses combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. Many of our more vocationally-focused degrees offer the opportunity of work placements and experience in industry.

Graduate employment

Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world's leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country's civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.

Pathways to a career

As well as the wide variety of professional or management careers for which an arts and humanities degree is a useful preparation, art history and heritage can prepare graduates for employment or further academic study or graduate training in areas related to the subjects studied, which can include the art market, curating, museums and heritage organisations, specialist media and publishing, and to areas for which visual understanding is an asset such as in advertising. A knowledge of art history is also useful for conservation training in fine and decorative art and architecture.

Read about the careers of our MA students.

We welcome applications in two different ways - directly via our online application form or through UCAS.

If you're interested in transferring to Buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.