Art History

Art history is the discipline that examines what human beings have made visually and materially across cultures and centuries, asking how art objects are produced, what meanings they carry, how they are received and interpreted, and how they connect to the social, political, and economic worlds in which they were created. It is a discipline that develops close looking, careful reading, and the ability to construct well-evidenced arguments about difficult and ambiguous objects, and these skills are valued well beyond the art world.

This programme at Regent's University London includes a year abroad, taking your studies into an international context that is particularly fitting for a discipline concerned with works of art from every part of the world. London is one of the greatest cities for art history in the world, with the National Gallery, the Tate galleries, the British Museum, the V&A, and dozens of other major collections all accessible from the campus, and the programme makes full use of this exceptional resource. You will study the major periods, movements, and themes in the history of art from ancient civilisations to contemporary practice, developing a chronological grounding alongside the critical and theoretical frameworks that art historians use to interpret works of different kinds.

Art history graduates pursue careers in museums and galleries, auction houses, art dealing and advisory services, arts journalism and criticism, cultural heritage, publishing, education, and the creative industries. Many work in curatorial roles, building and interpreting collections for public institutions or private clients. The critical and analytical skills developed in the discipline are also valued in communications, public relations, and policy work.

Postgraduate options include further study in art history, museum studies, curatorial practice, and heritage management, and many graduates go on to careers in academia or specialist research.