History of Art

History of Art is a way of unlocking the past through material culture and understanding the process of human creativity itself.

BA History of Art enables you to develop a critical understanding of the artistic, cultural, social and political contexts within which artworks are produced and exhibited, and of the meanings they hold for different audiences. You will learn about art, architecture and visual culture across a range of global contexts, from the medieval to the contemporary, using approaches such as social art history, feminist, queer and decolonial methodologies.

Central to your learning will be the study of original artworks at first hand. You will have access to world-class collections on campus and in an extensive range of regional museums and galleries.

Study trips play an exciting part in your degree and include visits to galleries and museums in the UK and abroad. A highlight is the University-funded trip to a major European centre of artistic importance, where you have the opportunity to examine works of art and architecture in situ. Previous study trips have been to Rome, Prague, Berlin and Paris and are led by staff with specific research interests in the city. The trip provides a great opportunity to get to know your entire year group in an informal and inspiring setting.

Why study this course?

Learn how to interpret artworks and the societies that created them - Your learning will be directly informed by our research; 95% of our Department’s staff research is ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Boost your employability - Develop transferrable skills and knowledge such as visual analysis, research skills, and oral presentations. We offer funded arts internships exclusively for University of Birmingham students and the opportunity to take employability-focused modules, such as Inside the Gallery, which focuses on how to curate an exhibition.

University-funded trips - Gallery study trips are organised in the West Midlands and London, and you can enjoy a week-long, University-funded trip to a major European city in your second year. You might also choose to study abroad for one year or one semester during your degree. We have partnerships with European and worldwide universities highly regarded in the field of History of Art, and a dedicated Study Abroad Team to help you make your choices.

On-campus gallery - Teaching regularly takes place in our working gallery on campus, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which is home to a dedicated fine art library and world-class collection. Seminars and events are held here, which really help to deepen your understanding and expand your knowledge of the museum and heritage sector following our hands-on approach.

A creative and active department - You can publish exhibition reviews and more on the Department’s official blog, the Golovine, and join the student-led History of Art Society, HartSoc to get involved with a range of fun and social events.

A city brimming with culture - The city of Birmingham hosts many art venues and cultural festivals. You will find a thriving underground arts scene, edgy contemporary pieces in the Ikon Gallery, and stunning traditional works in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which houses the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite artwork in the world.

5th for History of Art in the Guardian University Guide 2024

4th for History of Art in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

5th for History of Art in the Complete University Guide 2025