The History of Art course looks at anything designed by human beings for aesthetic purposes. Students will analyse artefacts from all over the world and from a range of cultures, in order to better understand their meanings and purposes.
Students in this course will learn about the creators of art, the context in which art has come about, and their critical reception, amongst other things. A broad range of skills will be acquired in this course, including analytical skills, visual literacy, and an ability to process information rapidly.
Oxford has its own art collections, including those in the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums. In addition to this, some colleges also have private art collections, making Oxford the perfect environment for studying the visual arts.
Students are assessed through written papers, some in history, and others in the history of art. There are lots of options available, from ancient periods to the modern-day.
Applicants are required to study an essay writing subject at A Level (or equivalent). Studying the History of Art, Fine Art, History, English, or a language may be helpful but is not required.