Art History at Aberystwyth University

At the School of Art, you are not just studying the history of art, you become actively engaged in it. The School is housed in a magnificent listed building where history meets practice. Here, art is made, curated and exhibited. The study of art history has many practical applications. It promotes critical thinking and provides a sound foundation for careers in education and publishing, in journalism and advertising, as well as in curating and art administration.

The BA in Art History at Aberystwyth equips you with essential research and writing skills. This ensures that you not only learn how to read art history but that you know what it means to be an art historian.

Why study Art History at Aberystwyth?

So, what gives us the edge?

• Studying at the School of Art, you will have access to an internationally renowned collection of art and artifacts. Our collection consists of some 20,000 prints, photographs, drawings, paintings and ceramics. We actively draw on those original works of art to build a practical knowledge of art history.
• The School of Art is a government-accredited art museum that runs its own galleries. There are only two such schools in the UK. This means a hands-on study of art in a museum environment. It gives you the opportunity to engage creatively with art history by curating works from our collection as part of your degree scheme.  For examples of a student-curated exhibition, visit our Museum and Galleries blog.
• As a student here, you will be joining one of highest-ranking art departments in the UK. The School of Art is the only Art History degree awarding university in Wales.
• Our staff are actievely engaged in research, and their findings inform our teaching in the School of Art. Our team of experts include well-known art historians, practicing curators and exhibiting artists.
• During your time in the School of Art, you will have the opportunity to work with and study our internationally renowned collection of prints, photographs, paintings and ceramics.
• All students in our school have access to our teaching facilities which inlcude a MAC suite, studios and learning spaces.
• The highlight for all students in our department is curating an exhibition in our galleries as part of your degree scheme.
• On the our doorstep is the National Library of Wales. One of only five copyright libraries in the United Kingdom, the National Library in Aberystwyth holds over six million books, maps, prints and manuscripts, and has an outstanding collection of paintings and works on paper.

Career opportunities

Research shows that the vast majority of our graduates build careers in their chosen field. Our graduates establish themselves as professional art historians, curators and administrators. Employers include:

• Arts Council 
• BBC
• Design Council
• The Observer newspaper
• Royal Academy of Arts
• Royal Collections Trust
• Saachi Gallery
• Tate Gallery
• Victoria and Albert Museum

Our graduates are:

• University educators
• Secondary school teachers
• Art gallery managers
• Museum or exhibition curators
• Journalists
• Art directors in publishing
• Conservators of easel painting, ceramics and works on paper

Each year a significant number of our graduates enrol on Master of Arts degree schemes at Aberystwyth University and elsewhere to enhance their career opportunities further. 

Transferable Skills 

The study of Art is not only intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding, it also has many practical benefits. It promotes creative problem solving, develops interpersonal skills and improves the ability to succeed in a changing world. These transferable skills are highly sought after in today’s job market, which is why they are actively promoted by us during your studies at the School of Art. They include the ability to:

• research facts and interpret information;
• effectively communicate ideas, both orally and in writing;
• connect theory to practice and develop interdisciplinary thinking;
• work independently or as part of a creative team;
• stay focussed, motivated and goal-oriented.