History of Art

History of art is a discipline that takes the made world seriously. It examines how images, objects, and spaces have been produced and understood across different times and cultures, asking not only what a work looks like but why it was made, what meanings it carried for its original audience, and how its significance has been shaped and reshaped as it passed through different contexts. It develops close visual analysis alongside historical research, teaching you to look carefully and to think critically about what looking reveals and what it conceals.

At the University of York, this four-year, full-time programme includes a year abroad and a sandwich element, as well as a work placement, giving you substantial international and professional experience alongside your academic study. You will explore an extensive range of modules, encountering art in its many forms, from ancient to contemporary and from across the globe. The programme introduces you to foundational topics and methods before giving you the opportunity to go deeper in areas that align with your particular interests, whether your attention is drawn to Renaissance painting, medieval manuscripts, contemporary art, museum studies, or the history of photography.

York's strong research culture in the history of art means you will be taught by academics engaged with the questions the discipline is asking now. The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.

Graduates from history of art programmes work in galleries, museums, auction houses, art publishing, arts administration, cultural diplomacy, heritage organisations, and education. The analytical and research skills of the discipline are also valued in journalism, communications, and other fields where the ability to interpret and communicate complex visual and cultural material is prized. The year abroad frequently deepens both language skills and professional contacts in the international art world.

Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in art history, curating, museum studies, or cultural heritage.