History of Art Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Study the history of art at a university with its very own on-campus art gallery and great connections to Birmingham’s art scene. Explore art history and visual culture from paintings, print and sculptures to photography, film and performance. On this course, you’ll also gain hands-on experience in galleries and arts spaces from Birmingham to London and across Europe.

* Discover how art shapes and reflects the world around us. Develop a critical understanding of historic and contemporary artworks and be able to confidently discuss these through essays, projects and your dissertation.

* Engage with lectures, seminars and events in our on-campus art gallery, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts.

* Experience historic and contemporary art up close with study trips to local and national galleries including Ikon, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the Ashmolean in Oxford.

* Get practical arts experience with our Inside the Gallery and Professional Skills modules - learn how to curate an exhibition, and engage with Birmingham city's lively scene bursting with artistic opportunities.

* Get involved with our active Art History community – gain publishing and editorial experience on our department’s blog Golovine, enhance your student experience by joining our dedicated student History of Art Society, or get creative and join the Art Society.

Top 5 for History of Art in Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

68th in the world QS World Rankings 2027

Additional (Intercalated) Year Options

Make the most of Birmingham's connections to industry with a Year in Industry or Year in Creative and Cultural Industries, where you can work alongside the pros and gain invaluable work experience. Get ready for global opportunities and learn a new language (or two) on our Year in Modern Languages, or learn to lead and make a difference on our Year in Civic Leadership. There’s also the option to add a Year Abroad to your degree, which you can spend living and studying with a partner university of your choice (subject to approval).