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Undergraduate study - 2025 entry
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Subject area: History of Art

Why choose History of Art at the University of Edinburgh?

  • You will work alongside leading academics, many of whom are involved in curating at major international art institutions.

  • Our range of teaching specialisms is one of the broadest in the UK, including Asian, Islamic, Mesoamerican, and European premodern and contemporary art, and the global art market.

  • In Year 3 you will have the opportunity to apply for work experience in one of the city's collections and gain behind-the-scenes access to Edinburgh's renowned art galleries and museums. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad.

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Introducing History of Art

History of art will introduce you to art from a wide range of cultures and periods.

You will learn how, and for whom, works of art were made, and situate artworks within visual and material culture.

In Years 1 and 2 you will:

  • discover the wide spectrum of art studied at Edinburgh
  • make connections with subjects such as philosophy, literature and anthropology

In Years 3 and 4 you will:

  • have the opportunity to specialise in particular aspects of the field
  • develop independent research projects
  • produce a dissertation
  • have the opportunity to study abroad (Year 3)

We aim to produce graduates with an:

  • informed and nuanced understanding of artistic practice and visual and material culture at different historical periods
  • extensive and well-based knowledge and understanding of art history and its methods of study

Many of our academic staff curate, or exhibit in, major international art exhibitions.

You will also have access to Edinburgh's renowned art galleries and museums.