History of Art Oxford
The History of Art program at Oxford University explores the origins, purposes, and meanings of art and artefacts from diverse world cultures, examining how objects were made, who created them, the materials and techniques involved, their intended functions, audience reception, and the evolution of their significance over time. This degree develops students’ ability to interpret art within cultural and historical contexts, enhancing visual literacy, critical analysis, and engagement with related texts and documents—skills that are widely transferable to many professions while offering lasting intellectual growth and personal enrichment. Oxford University’s exceptional collections, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum, provide unique opportunities for hands-on study under expert guidance, while the University’s historic architecture and surrounding cityscapes enrich the learning experience. The program emphasizes fresh perspectives on global art, drawing on expertise from multiple faculties, museum staff, and the department, encouraging students to analyse visual and written sources across different periods and cultures and to question traditional definitions of what qualifies as ‘art.’
History of Art BA - Course Overview
| 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
In a typical week, you can expect around two lectures and one tutorial. Teaching usually takes place in the department or in your college, but it is also often held in Oxford university museums and galleries, where tutors lecture in front of original works of art. The course also includes visits to exhibitions and historic buildings.
Outside of scheduled teaching, most of your time will be dedicated to preparing essays for tutorials and conducting research in libraries, archives, or museums.
Tutorials are small, usually involving one to three students with a tutor. Class sizes depend on the options chosen, but they are typically no larger than 16 students, and often considerably smaller.
Most teaching is led by tutors and curators, many of whom are world-renowned experts with extensive experience in research and teaching. Some sessions may also be taught by doctoral students who have received specialist training in undergraduate teaching.
Course Structure
Year 1
Students take four core elements:
- Introduction to the History of Art
- Art, Design, Architecture: Meaning and Interpretation
- Challenging Antiquities
- A supervised extended essay on a building, object, or image in Oxford
In addition, students take a French, German, or Italian for Art Historians course through the University’s Language Centre. No prior experience is required for these language courses, and they are not formally assessed.
Assessment: First University Examinations – three written papers and one extended essay.
Years 2 and 3
Across the second and third years, students complete seven elements:
- Core Course (Years 2 & 3): Approaches to the History of Art
- Further Subject (Year 2): One 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): One in Modern Art and one in Medieval/Ancient or non-Western Art. Options 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 & Extended Essay (Year 3): Options may include:
- Art and Culture in Renaissance Florence and Venice
- English Architecture, 1660–1720
- Art and its Public in France, 1815–67
- 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)
Students also have the option to complete a placement in one of the University’s museums, libraries, or college collections during their second year. This placement is not assessed but provides valuable professional experience in the museum and heritage sectors.
Assessment: Final University Examinations – four or five written papers, one or two extended essays, and one thesis.
For the latest information on course content and options, please visit the History of Art website. Note that course content and structure may be subject to change.
How to get in Oxford University 2026 : Get Info here
Academic Requirements
Qualifications
- A-levels: AAA
- Advanced Highers: AA or AAB
- International Baccalaureate (IB): 38 points (including core), with 666 at Higher Level
- Other Qualifications: Equivalent UK and international qualifications are also accepted.
Grades are always considered in the context in which they were achieved. For more details, see information on contextual data and the University’s guidance on UK and international qualifications.
Subject Requirements
- Essential: You must have taken at least one essay-based subject at A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB, or equivalent. (Examples of essay-based subjects are available on the History of Art website.)
- Helpful but not required: Subjects such as History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, or a foreign language can provide a useful background for the course.
If you are taking a science A-level that includes a practical component, you are expected to pass it.
Applicants whose first language is not English may also need to meet the University’s English language requirements.
Applying
All applicants must follow the standard procedure outlined on the Applying to Oxford pages. The details below explain the specific requirements for this course.
Written Test
No written test is required for this course.
Written Work
Applicants must submit two pieces of written work:
- Marked Essay (up to 2,000 words): Written for an A-level or equivalent course, demonstrating the ability to develop and sustain a written argument.
- Personal Response (up to 750 words): A reflection on a piece of art, architecture, or design. This should be based on first-hand observation of the chosen object, with a photographic reproduction included if possible.
Deadline: 10 November 2025
The response essay does not require formal research or footnotes (unless quoting directly). Instead, it should show curiosity, sensitivity, and clarity, focusing on aspects such as medium, style, technique, subject matter, or location. This must be original work, not previously submitted for assessment or another programme.
Further details and the required cover sheet can be found in the Written Work Guidance on the History of Art website.
Careers
The cultural industries are among the world’s largest employers. History of Art graduates often pursue careers in:
- Museums, galleries, and auction houses
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations working in cultural heritage, research, conservation, and the promotion of art worldwide
Beyond the arts, graduates are also highly competitive in fields that value both visual and verbal skills, such as:
- Publishing, advertising, marketing, film, television, and digital media
As with other humanities degrees, History of Art also provides an excellent foundation for careers in the civil service, law, finance, and many other sectors.
Fees
For full-time Home undergraduate students, fees are charged at the government-set cap. For the 2025/26 academic year, this cap is £9,535, which is used as the guide fee for students starting in 2026. Final confirmation will be provided once the government announces updated fee information.
Annual Course Fees (2026 entry)
- Home: £9,535
- Overseas: £43,600
Further information about fee status eligibility is available on the fee status webpage. Please note that course fees are normally subject to annual increases.
Living Costs
Oxford’s resources and college system often help reduce overall living expenses.
Estimated living costs for students starting in 2026 are:
- £1,405 to £2,105 per month while living in Oxford
The academic year consists of three eight-week terms, so most students will not need to be in Oxford for more than six months. However, it is advisable to budget for a nine-month period to ensure funds are available during vacations for essential costs.
Financial Support
Home Students
- A tuition fee loan from the UK government is available to cover course fees in full for students undertaking their first undergraduate degree. This means you do not need to pay fees upfront.
- In 2026, Oxford will continue to offer one of the most generous bursary packages in the UK:
- Support is available for students from households with incomes of around £50,000 or less.
- Additional support is available for those from households with incomes of £32,500 or less.
- The UK government also provides living cost support for eligible students from the UK and those with settled status.
Eligibility note: For courses starting on or after 1 August 2021, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may be eligible for UK government student finance if they have UK citizens’ rights (e.g. pre-settled or settled status, or Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area). The type of support available will depend on residency status.
Islands Students
Islands Students (Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
Students from the Islands are entitled to different financial support compared with the rest of the UK. Please see guidance from your local funding agency:
- States of Jersey
- States of Guernsey
- Isle of Man
Overseas Students
Overseas students can explore opportunities listed under the Other Scholarships section on the Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page.
Important Notes
Important Notes
- If you have already completed an undergraduate degree, you will be classified as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student and will not be eligible for government or Oxford funding.
- There are no compulsory additional costs for the History of Art course beyond tuition fees and living expenses.
- Contextual Information
- Unistats course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with useful statistics about individual undergraduate courses at Oxford. For a fuller understanding of what studying here is really like, we recommend exploring the information below and browsing the University’s website more widely.
Accommodation
All first-year undergraduates are guaranteed college accommodation, either on the main site of their college or in a nearby annexe. This ensures that new students live alongside fellow freshers, helping them settle quickly into university life.
Most colleges provide at least one additional year of accommodation, and some guarantee housing for the entire degree. Students may choose to stay in college throughout their time at Oxford, or move into private accommodation after their first year – for example, to live with friends from other colleges.
Support
College tutors not only guide your academic progress but can also advise on other aspects of student life. In addition, a wide network of college staff, including welfare officers, is available to support students with practical matters or health concerns.
Many colleges also have student-run support systems, such as “college families,” where older students help new arrivals settle in, and peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling.
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.