Gain an insight into studying BA History of Art at The Courtauld through a range of taster lectures. Explore the full range here.
Congratulations on your offer!
We are excited that you are considering studying at The Courtauld.
We have added a range of resources, including lectures, blogs, interactive resources, and more, so you can find out more about The Courtauld and the BA History of Art programme. Over the next few months, we look forward to welcoming you to a range of events.
We will be adding more resources to this page, so please continue to check for updates.
If you have any questions, please see please see our FAQs below, and do not hesitate to contact our Admissions team.
You can also get in touch with a current student via our ‘Ask a student’ page.
Events
Offer holder events:
- Offer Holder Webinar: Watch the recording here
- Vernon Square campus tour: Visit our Vernon Square campus through a student-led tour and find out more about our resources, facilities and libraries, and student life at The Courtauld.
- The Courtauld Gallery tour: A free small group tour of The Courtauld Gallery. Led by a current student, you will receive a 45-minute overview of The Courtauld Gallery’s history and main collection
- Offer holder event at The Courtauld Gallery: Thursday 16 May. Details to be shared closer to the date.
- Wellbeing webinar – tbc
- Research Forum events: You can explore all Research Forum events here
Find out about student life
Read our student blogs
Find out what it’s like to study at The Courtauld through our student blogs! Read the full range here.
Taster lectures
Explore The Courtauld Gallery
Watch our videos
Frequently asked questions
How many places are on this programme in 2024/25?
There are around 80 places on the BA History of Art for 2024/25 entry.
What are the semester dates?
How many contact hours can I expect?
Contact hours, in the form of lectures, seminar, tutorials and off-site teaching, will total 9 – 12 hours.
Students are expected to attend lectures, seminars, tutorials, galleries and to complete their own private study. In total, this is expected to take at least 21 to 26 hours per week.
Can I learn a language as part of the course?
Yes, all students have a chance to study a language in their first year through King’s College London’s language centre.
Do you offer a study abroad, or exchange programme?
We currently do not offer study abroad, or exchange programmes.
Which campus will I be taught at?
Most teaching and learning will take place at Vernon Square, although some teaching may take place in Somerset House.
Where can I find out about accommodation?
What financial support can I access?
The following support is open to UK Undergraduate students:
- Student loan
- Bursary
- Scholarship
In addition, once you start your studies, we have a Hardship Fund available to provide short-term emergency funds to meet the immediate financial needs of current students.
I'm an international student - what do I need to know?
You can find support for international students, including guidance on visas, English language requirements, and more, on our international student pages.
Can I access the reading list?
In preparation for the BA in History of Art, we recommend the following books that will help you begin to think critically about the discipline and its methods, as well as introduce you to some key terms and ideas. They are not set texts, and they are not necessarily connected to the specific courses you will study. Rather than reading to accumulate knowledge, try to use these books to acquire some background on the texts on which many images are based, on how art history is practiced and has been written, and on historical background. Obviously, we do not expect you to have read all (or even many) of them, but try to read some. As well as reading, spend time visiting as many museums, exhibitions and galleries as you can. Make sure you look at art from all periods, not just that you are most familiar with.
Reading list:
- Robert Nelson and Richard Shiff (eds.), Critical Terms for Art History. Chicago UP,1996 [revised 2nd edition]
- Donald Preziosi (ed.), The Art of Art History. Oxford UP, 2009 [revised 2nd edition]
- Michael Hatt and Charlotte Klonk (eds.) Art History: A Critical Introduction to its Methods. Manchester UP, 2006 [new edition co-edited by Dorothy Price out in January 2022]
- Penny Huntsman, Thinking about Art: A Thematic Guide to Art History. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015 [ companion website: wiley.com/go/thinkingaboutart.]
- Diana Newall (Ed), Art and its Global Histories: A Reader. Manchester, 2017.
- Ann Albritton and Gwen Farrelly (Eds.), Art History in a Global Context: Methods, Themes, Approaches, Wiley-Blackwell, 2020.
- Sharon Macdonald (Ed.) A Companion to Museum Studies. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
- Anne Gerritsen (Ed.) Writing Material Culture History. Bloomsbury, 2021.
- Kimberly N. Pinder (Ed.), Race-ing Art History: Critical Readings in Race and Art History. Routledge, 2002.
- Richard Meyer and Catherine Lord (Eds.), Art and Queer Culture. Phaidon, 2019.
- Hilary Robinson (Ed.), Feminism Art Theory: An Anthology 1968-2014. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.
- Andrew Patrizio, The Ecocritical Eye: Assembling an Ecocritical Art History. Manchester, 2018.
- Mark Crinson and Richard J Williams (Eds.) The Architecture of Art History. Bloomsbury, 2018.
- Anna D’Alleva, How to Write Art History, 2010.
Can I visit the Vernon Square campus?
Do you have a virtual campus tour?
You can see our campus during term-time in this video, and view pictures of our Vernon Square campus here.
Can I work while I study?
Many students work part-time to gain valuable work experience and supplement their income. They may also embark on full-time internships during the holiday periods.
If you are an international student, Tier 4 requirements stipulate that you can work 20 hours a week during term time, and 40 hours a week during non-term time.
I have further questions - who should I contact?
If your question relates to your offer, or is related to Admissions, please contact: ugadmissions@courtauld.ac.uk
If you would like to contact a current student, you can do so via our ‘Ask a student’ page.
If your question relates to any events, or other content on this page, please contact: marketing@courtauld.ac.uk