History of Art Glasgow

History of art seeks to understand how and why paintings, sculptures, buildings and works in a variety of media come to look the way they do.

You will benefit from the extensive collections of the University’s library and the resources of the Hunterian, the University’s museum and art gallery, which feature the world-famous Hunter, Whistler and Mackintosh collections.

In your third-year vacation you will receive a grant to assist you to visit museums, galleries and buildings relevant to your chosen course options and dissertation subject.

Year 1

The first year provides an introduction to history of art by examining some of its main themes grouped under two broad headings, one per semester. These have been designed to provide an accessible and wide-ranging programme of study, even if you are new to art history. They allow you to study works by some of the best-known artists, designers and architects of all time and also introduce you to some key issues in history of art: the uses of different techniques and materials, and relationships between art theory, the role of art patrons and the concepts of style and period.

Year 2

You will study two further thematic groups, building on those studied at Level-1. At this stage of the programme, greater emphasis is placed on theoretical and contextual issues, useful foundations for progression to the more detailed study undertaken at Honours level. You will also be introduced to contrasted art-historical approaches and methods and to a range of backgrounds to the production and consumption of art.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Degrees in Arts, Life Sciences, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4), you will prepare a dissertation and study a wide range of special options concentrating on specific periods and artists. There are core courses on methodological aspects of art history, and research skills in art history. You can apply for the opportunity to include a work placement as part of your Honours programme.

Partnership and industry links

The University has major, externally funded collaborative research projects with other national institutions, including the National Gallery; Victoria & Albert Museum; the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds; and the Freer Art Gallery, USA.

Our international links

We have an Erasmus agreement with Bonn University Institute for Art History in Germany, enabling suitably qualified students to spend their third year there.

A-levels

• Standard academic entry requirements: AAB.
• Minimum academic entry requirements: BBB.
• Other mandatory requirements: Must include at least one arts, humanities or language subject. Applicants wishing to study Mathematics or Computing Science as part of their degree will require A-level Maths at Grades A or B.