History of Art Oxford
The History of Art course at Oxford University offers students a rich and comprehensive study of art and artefacts from diverse cultures around the globe. The program explores how artworks were produced, the materials and techniques behind them, their original roles, and how interpretations of these works have shifted throughout history. Through this, students build advanced skills in visual literacy, analytical thinking, and cultural interpretation, while engaging deeply with texts, archival documents, and historical frameworks.
A defining feature of Oxford’s program is the unparalleled access to its world-renowned collections, such as the Ashmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum, where students benefit from hands-on learning guided by leading scholars and curators. The University’s historic architecture and the cultural vibrancy of Oxford itself further enhance the academic experience, immersing students daily in artistic heritage.
The degree also emphasizes a global and interdisciplinary outlook, encouraging students to view art through new perspectives. By combining visual analysis with critical engagement in written sources, the course challenges traditional boundaries of art history. Graduates leave with highly transferable skills that open doors to careers in museums, galleries, publishing, media, education, and beyond, while also gaining lasting intellectual development and personal growth.
History of Art - Oxford University
UCAS Code
V350
Entrance Requirements
AAA
Course Duration
3 years (BA)
Subject Requirements
- Required Subjects: A subject involving essay writing
- Recommended Subjects: Not applicable
- Helpful Subjects: History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, a language
Other Course Requirements
- Admissions Tests: None
- Written Work: One piece, one response
Admissions Statistics
- Interviewed: 45%
- Successful: 13%
- Intake: 14
A Typical Week in History of Art
During a typical week on the History of Art course at Oxford, students attend around two lectures and one tutorial. Teaching is delivered not only in colleges and the department but also within the University’s world-class museums and galleries, where tutors often lecture directly in front of original artworks. The course is further enriched with visits to exhibitions, heritage sites, and historic buildings, giving students hands-on exposure to the cultural objects and environments they study.
Outside of scheduled teaching, much of the learning experience is self-directed, with students preparing essays for tutorials, carrying out independent research in libraries, archives, and museum collections, and developing critical perspectives through in-depth engagement with primary and secondary sources.
Tutorials, the hallmark of Oxford’s teaching, are kept intentionally small—usually one to three students per tutor. This allows for individualised feedback, discussion, and debate, ensuring a highly personalised academic experience. Class sizes for lectures and option papers are generally modest, often fewer than 16 students, fostering a close-knit and collaborative learning environment.
Most teaching is led by Oxford’s world-leading tutors, curators, and researchers, whose expertise spans multiple periods and cultures. In addition, some sessions are delivered by highly trained doctoral students, offering fresh perspectives and insights grounded in cutting-edge research.
Course Structure
Year 1
Core Elements of the History of Art Course
Students follow four core components that provide both theoretical knowledge and practical experience:
1. Introduction to the History of Art
This module introduces students to the foundations of art history. It covers essential concepts, historical contexts, and critical approaches used to interpret art across different cultures and time periods.
2. Art, Design, Architecture: Meaning and Interpretation
Here, students develop the ability to analyse visual forms, architectural designs, and objects. The focus is on understanding how function, style, and symbolism communicate meaning across diverse historical settings.
3. Challenging Antiquities
This element explores ancient art and artefacts, encouraging students to think critically about their origins, purposes, and how they have been received and interpreted over time.
4. Extended Essay on a Building, Object, or Image in Oxford
Students undertake an independent research project under supervision. This essay requires in-depth analysis of a chosen building, object, or artwork in Oxford, allowing students to combine academic research with hands-on experience while sharpening their writing and critical skills.
Language Study for Art Historians
Alongside these modules, students take a language course in French, German, or Italian through the University’s Language Centre. These beginner-friendly courses are tailored to art historians, with a focus on academic and subject-specific vocabulary. While not formally assessed, they help students confidently engage with original primary sources in their chosen language.
Years 2 and 3
Second and Third-Year Course Structure
As students progress into the second and third years, the course becomes increasingly specialised and research-driven. Across these years, students complete seven core academic elements, designed to deepen subject knowledge and enhance critical, analytical, and research skills.
Core Course (Years 2 & 3): Approaches to the History of Art
This advanced course builds on the foundations established in the first year. It introduces sophisticated methodologies, critical frameworks, and comparative approaches, enabling students to analyse art across cultures, regions, and time periods with greater depth.
Further Subject (Year 2)
Students select one specialist option in Art History, such as:
Anglo-Saxon Archaeology
The Carolingian Renaissance
Culture and Society in Early Renaissance Italy
Flanders and Italy in the Quattrocento
Court Culture and Art in Early Modern Europe
Intellect and Culture in Victorian Britain
The Iberian Global Century, 1550–1650
Two Courses (Year 2)
Students also take one course in Modern Art and one in Medieval, Ancient, or Non-Western Art. Options vary but may include:
Egyptian Art and Architecture
Greek Art and Archaeology (c. 500–300 BC)
Art under the Roman Empire
Hellenistic Art and Archaeology (330–30 BC)
Encountering South Asian Sculpture
Gothic Art through Medieval Eyes
Understanding Museums and Collections
Literature and the Visual Arts in France
Topics in Islamic Art
European Cinema
Latin American Cinema
History and Theory of Visual Culture since 1900
The Experience of Modernity: Visual Culture, 1880–1925
American Art
Inventing Photography
Visual Culture in Contemporary East Asia
Special Subject and Extended Essay (Year 3)
In the third year, students undertake a special subject course alongside an extended essay, allowing for in-depth exploration of a specific theme. Options may include:
Art and Culture in Renaissance Florence and Venice
English Architecture, 1660–1720
Art and its Public in France, 1815–1867
Pop and the Art of the Sixties
Art and Politics: Class and Power in Chinese Art
Art and the Invention of Race
Art and the Anthropocene: Imagining, Taming, and Transforming the Environment (c. 1000–1450)
Undergraduate Thesis (Year 3)
The thesis represents a major independent research project, allowing students to explore a chosen subject in depth. This capstone element draws together knowledge gained across the course and demonstrates advanced critical thinking, research skills, and originality of argument.
Professional Placement
During the second year, students have the opportunity to complete a placement in one of the University’s museums, libraries, or college collections. While not formally assessed, this hands-on experience provides valuable professional insight into the museum, heritage, and cultural sectors.
Assessment: Final University Examinations
Students are assessed through a combination of:
Four or five written papers
One or two extended essays
One undergraduate thesis
These assessments test knowledge, research capability, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
Academic Requirements
Qualifications
Entry Requirements for History of Art at Oxford University
If you are applying to study History of Art at Oxford University, you will need to meet the high academic standards set by the University. The entry requirements vary depending on your qualification type, but all applications are reviewed in context to ensure fairness.
A-levels
Applicants are expected to achieve AAA at A-level.
Scottish Advanced Highers
Candidates should normally have AA or AAB in Advanced Highers.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A score of 38 points overall (including the core) is required, with 666 at Higher Level.
Other Qualifications
Oxford also accepts a wide range of equivalent UK and international qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications are encouraged to review the University’s detailed guidance on accepted credentials.
Contextual Consideration
Grades are always assessed in the context of individual circumstances. Oxford takes into account factors such as educational background, school performance, and other relevant conditions when evaluating applications. For further details, candidates can consult the University’s information on contextual data and its official guidance on both UK and international qualifications.
Subject Requirements
Subject Requirements for History of Art at Oxford University
Essential: Applicants should have completed at least one essay-focused subject at A-level, Advanced Higher, IB Higher Level, or an equivalent qualification. Refer to the History of Art faculty website for a full list of eligible subjects.
Helpful but not required: Knowledge of related areas such as Art History, Classical Studies, Literature, or modern languages can provide additional context and benefit understanding of the course material.
Science A-levels: If a science subject with a practical component has been taken, successful completion of the practical assessment is mandatory.
English Language: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency according to Oxford University’s language requirements.
Applying
Application Procedure
All candidates must follow the standard application process detailed on the University’s Applying to Oxford pages. This ensures that every applicant submits the correct documentation, meets deadlines, and completes required assessments accurately.
Course-Specific Guidance
For History of Art applicants, additional guidance clarifies the academic and procedural expectations unique to this degree. Candidates should carefully review course-specific requirements, including recommended essay-based subjects, language prerequisites, and any suggested preparatory reading. Understanding these expectations helps applicants tailor their personal statements and demonstrate suitability for Oxford’s tutorial-based learning environment.
Purpose
These steps ensure that candidates are fully prepared for the rigorous academic and intellectual challenges of the History of Art program.
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Written Test
You do not need to take any written admissions test to apply for the History of Art course at Oxford University.
Written Work
Written Work
Applicants need to submit two pieces of written work:
Marked Essay (up to 2,000 words): An essay from an A-level or equivalent course, showing your ability to build and present a clear, well-reasoned argument.
Personal Response (up to 750 words): A reflective piece on a work of art, design, or architecture. This should be based on your own observation, ideally including a photograph of the chosen object.
Deadline: 10 November 2025
The personal response does not require formal research or footnotes (unless quoting directly). Focus on curiosity, insight, and clarity, highlighting aspects such as medium, technique, style, subject, or location. All submissions must be original and not previously used for another assessment or programme.
More details, including the cover sheet, can be found in the Written Work Guidance on the History of Art website.
Careers
The cultural and creative industries are among the largest employers globally, and History of Art graduates are well-positioned to take advantage of this. Typical career paths include:
Museums, galleries, and auction houses – working in curation, collections, or public engagement.
Cultural heritage organisations – both governmental and non-governmental, focusing on research, conservation, and promoting art worldwide.
History of Art graduates also excel in roles beyond the arts, thanks to their combined visual and analytical skills:
Creative and media industries – publishing, advertising, marketing, film, television, and digital media.
Professional sectors – including civil service, law, finance, and other fields that value critical thinking, communication, and cultural insight.
This degree equips students with versatile skills, opening doors to a broad range of exciting career opportunities.
Fees
Full-time Home undergraduate students pay tuition fees set at the government cap.
2025/26 Academic Year: The guide fee is £9,535, applicable for students starting in 2026.
Confirmation: Final fees will be updated once the government releases the official figures.
This ensures students can plan their finances with confidence while studying at Oxford.
Annual Course Fees (2026 entry)
Home Students: £9,535 (government-set cap for 2025/26; used as a guide for 2026 intake)
Overseas Students: £43,600
Fee Status Eligibility: Detailed information can be found on the fee status webpage.
Annual Adjustments: Tuition fees may increase each year, following university and government guidance.
This clear breakdown helps students understand their financial commitment and plan accordingly.
Living Costs
Estimated Expenses: £1,405 – £2,105 per month for students residing in Oxford (2026 intake).
Term Structure: Oxford operates on three eight-week terms; most students spend around six months living in Oxford each academic year.
Budgeting Advice: Students should plan for up to nine months of living costs to cover essential expenses during term breaks and vacations.
This provides a clear, practical guide for prospective students to plan their finances effectively.
Financial Support
Home Students
Tuition Fee Loan: UK government loans cover full course fees for first-time undergraduate students, so no upfront payment is required.
Oxford Bursaries (2026):
Support for students from households with incomes around £50,000 or less.
Additional bursaries for households with incomes of £32,500 or less.
Living Cost Support: Eligible UK students and those with settled status can receive extra financial support from the government.
EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals: From courses starting 1 August 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may access UK student finance if they have UK citizens’ rights (pre-settled/settled status or Irish citizenship under the Common Travel Area).
Eligibility & Amount: Support varies depending on residency status.
Islands Students
Island Students (Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
Distinct Support: Students from the Channel Islands or Isle of Man receive different financial support compared to other UK students.
Local Guidance: For detailed information, refer to your local funding authority:
States of Jersey
States of Guernsey
Isle of Man
Overseas Students
Scholarship Opportunities: International students can find funding options through the Other Scholarships section on the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page.
Guidance: These resources help cover tuition, living costs, or provide additional financial support.
Important Notes
ELQ Students: If you have already completed an undergraduate degree, you will be classified as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student and are not eligible for UK government or Oxford funding.
Additional Costs: There are no compulsory extra costs for the History of Art course beyond tuition fees and living expenses.
Contextual Information
Course Data: Unistats data on Discover Uni provides helpful statistics for individual undergraduate courses at Oxford.
Further Insight: For a deeper understanding of studying History of Art, it is recommended to explore this data and consult the University’s official website for detailed course information.
Accommodation
Guaranteed Accommodation for First-Year Students
First-Year Housing: All first-year undergraduates are guaranteed college accommodation, either on the main college site or in a nearby annexe. This setup allows new students to live alongside fellow freshers, helping them settle quickly into university life.
Options Beyond the First Year
Additional Years: Most colleges offer at least one more year of accommodation, and some guarantee housing for the entire degree.
Living Choices: Students can choose to remain in college or move into private accommodation after the first year, often to live with friends from other colleges.
Support
Academic and Personal Guidance
College Tutors: Tutors guide students not only academically but also provide advice on broader aspects of university life, helping students adjust and thrive.
Support from College Staff
Practical and Welfare Assistance: A wide network of college staff, including welfare officers, is available to support students with practical issues or health concerns.
Peer and Student-Led Support
Student Networks: Many colleges have student-led programs, such as “college families,” where senior students help new arrivals settle in.
Peer Supporters: Trained by the University’s Counselling Service, peer supporters offer guidance, reassurance, and personal support throughout your studies.
FAQ
The History of Art BA at Oxford explores the origins, purposes, and meanings of art and artefacts from diverse world cultures. Students learn to interpret art in cultural and historical contexts while developing critical analysis and visual literacy skills.
Applicants typically need AAA at A-level. A subject involving essay writing is required, and helpful subjects include History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, or a language. No admissions tests are required, but one piece of written work must be submitted.
The History of Art BA is a 3-year undergraduate program, allowing students to study the subject in depth while gaining hands-on experience with Oxford’s world-class collections.
Graduates develop transferable skills in critical analysis, research, and visual literacy, suitable for careers in museums, galleries, cultural heritage, publishing, education, and arts administration.
Students have access to exceptional collections, including the Ashmolean Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum, along with Oxford’s historic architecture, libraries, and museum staff, providing unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities.