Undergraduate

Part I provides you with a broad introduction to the history of art, and to the making and meaning of art objects, with special emphasis on the collections of the Fitzwilliam Museum. These run from the art of Ancient Egypt to modern times, and include major examples of medieval, Renaissance and post-Renaissance art as well as non-Western items.

During the year you take five compulsory papers and complete a short dissertation:

• The Objects of Art History - a survey of art and architecture that introduces the history of art from antiquity to the modern era
• The Making of Art - two papers covering issues of manufacture, technique and style in painting and sculpture in the context of their historical development
• The Meaning of Architecture and Art - two papers concerned with how works of architecture and art are interpreted in light of cultural traditions
• The short dissertation is 5,000 words on a work of art or architecture in or around Cambridge

Some practical training in photographic and graphic skills is also offered in Part I.

Part II deepens your knowledge and understanding by focusing in greater depth on specific issues

In Part IIA, you take one compulsory paper along with two pairs of papers on Special Subjects:

• Approaches to the History of Art - the compulsory paper covers the history of the discipline and its critical methodologies from antiquity to the present day
• Special Subjects - chosen from a range of around 10, each pair deals with a particular person, subject or period. These currently include Anglo-Saxon art, Italian medieval architecture and cities, the work of Albrecht Dürer, Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, Dutch art in the Golden Age, Russian painting, Surrealism, and Post-1945 Modernism

In Part IIB, you take one compulsory paper, two further pairs of Special Subjects papers and submit a dissertation:

• The Display of Art - the compulsory paper explores the ways in which art is collected, displayed and experienced in society
• Special Subjects - the options available are as those in Part IIA, but you take two subjects that you haven't studied before
• The dissertation is 7,000-9,000 words on a topic of your choice, as agreed with your Director of Studies

Essential No specific subjects
Useful A Level/IB Higher Level in one or more of English, a foreign language (ancient or modern), History, History of Art (or equivalent), Religious Studies

No particular subjects at A Level (or equivalent) are required for the History of Art course but subjects should be primarily academic. Subjects like History, English, Modern Languages, History of Art, Religious Studies and Classics are ideal, and Mathematics and experimental sciences are acceptable if accompanied by one or two arts A Levels. Art/History of Art does not necessarily confer an advantage.

Hughes Hall considers a reading knowledge of German, French, or Italian to be advantageous.

St John's considers a knowledge of two foreign languages and A Level History of Art useful.

Check College websites for College specific requirements. See also Entrance requirements and our Subject Matters leaflet for additional advice about general requirements for entry, qualifications and offers.

The table below sets out the ways in which each College assesses applicants for this subject. For more information about these methods of assessment and why we use them, see the main Admissions tests and written work page.

If you are interested in applying for this course, please see our Applying section for more details.