Art History degrees

Art history is the academic study of art, architecture and visual and material culture across periods and places. Degree study teaches students to look closely at objects, research their origins and meanings, and write about them using historical, theoretical and critical methods. Programs may cover regions and eras from antiquity to the present and increasingly include global and non-Western perspectives.

Learning is primarily through lectures, seminars, readings, essays and often visits to museums, collections and sites. Students develop skills in visual analysis, archival and object research, and argument. Many programs also teach languages, theory and approaches such as provenance, conservation awareness, curatorial practice and the history of collecting, culminating in a dissertation or thesis.

Art history differs from studio-based subjects in this directory, where students make work as the main activity, although some studio programs include art history courses. It also differs from art education, which concerns teaching. Some programs combine art history with museum studies or archaeology, which are separate fields. Students interested in making should look at fine arts or related studio subjects.

Art history programs generally do not ask for a visual portfolio. Instead, applicants are often asked for a personal statement, academic transcripts and, at postgraduate level, a writing sample such as an essay or thesis chapter. Some programs request a research proposal, references or language evidence.

Requirements vary by country and program. Undergraduate admission may depend on school qualifications and sometimes an interview, while doctoral programs usually expect a defined research topic and a supervisor match. Some programs ask for demonstrated reading ability in relevant languages.

Confirm what is required, including formats, word limits and deadlines, on each official admissions page. Admission is never guaranteed, and no universal template applies.

At PhD level, funding in some programs may come through fellowships, teaching or research assistantships, tuition remission or external research council and foundation awards. Master’s funding is generally more limited and often competitive.

Terms vary by program, country and year, and many students receive partial or no support. Verify details directly with the program and funding bodies.