Undergraduate

History of Art

Understanding the history of art enables students to explore in detail the ongoing significance of art as a platform for shaping and interpreting the world in which we live.
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Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Email

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Graduates with a History of Art major are well equipped to enter a range of careers. Many graduates have gone on to careers connected in some way with the arts, such as arts administrators, curators, museum administrators, gallery directors, art historians, art conservators and arts festival administrators.
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Career Pathways

Graduates with a History of Art major are well equipped to enter a range of careers. Many graduates have gone on to careers connected in some way with the arts, such as arts administrators, curators, museum administrators, gallery directors, art historians, art conservators and arts festival administrators.

Further Study

Graduates who complete a History of Art (Honours) course to a high enough standard could complete a Master of Philosophy or PhD.
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Further Study

Graduates who complete a History of Art (Honours) course to a high enough standard could complete a Master of Philosophy or PhD.
Postgraduate study at UWA

Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts

Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts

Develop your professional skills in curatorial studies.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below. 

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Admission requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

Apply through TISC

  1. Log in to the TISC website
    If you’re a Year 12 student studying a WACE course at a WA high school or a pathway program, you are already automatically registered with TISC.
  2. Select your preferences
    You can choose up to six preferences when you apply through TISC. You should list your preferences in order from your most desired course onwards; this way you’ll have plenty of options to get into UWA.
  3. Lodging your application
    You’re almost there! After answering a few questions, you’ll need to make a declaration about your application.
  4. Application processing fee
    Your TISC application is lodged once you’ve completed the payment. For more information on fees and payments, visit the TISC website.
     

Course details

This major furnishes you with the knowledge and skills to gain employment in art galleries and museums, community and public art programs and with auction houses and major collections. You'll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of art history and the specific communication skills required to engage in artistic dialogue, plus you'll possess a qualification valued by arts professionals worldwide.

About the course

By examining the construction, reception and circulation of art objects across time and cultures, this major equips you with historical knowledge, rigorous analytical skills and the capacity to critically communicate about visual form.

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About the course

By examining the construction, reception and circulation of art objects across time and cultures, this major equips you with historical knowledge, rigorous analytical skills and the capacity to critically communicate about visual form. Through a cultivation of visual literacy, you will gain insights into how artists have imaged and imagined politics, religion, identity and culture, while also discovering how art has shaped the history of ideas.

The major covers a wide range of historical periods and visual media, ranging from Renaissance painting to contemporary performance art, with an emphasis on the visual traditions of Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
History of Art

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 3 hours teaching time plus own study time for the History of Art major. Additional teaching and study time will be required for the non-History of Art units making up your degree.
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-HYART
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
View full details
History of Art

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 3 hours teaching time plus own study time for the History of Art major. Additional teaching and study time will be required for the non-History of Art units making up your degree.
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-HYART
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Arts Integrated Professional

Form connections

See what our students are up to by following the School of Design Facebook page, School of Design Instagram account and School of Design on LinkedIn.

The UWA ALVA Student Society is affiliated with the UWA Student Guild and represents students within the School of Design. Visit the ALVA Student Society on Facebook.

Form connections

Student story

Maree Crouch

Maree Crouch
Find out more
Student story

Maree Crouch

Maree Crouch
My leisure time is often spent in art galleries, museums, and exploring cultural spaces, so I decided to major in the History of Art to develop visual literacy and a better understanding of art. While the degree has a western perspective, critical engagement is encouraged to view art from different angles and theoretical positions. Through my studies I have revelled in the abundance of creativity, and also acquired the analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate differing perspectives and contexts. 

Returning to university after a substantial break was daunting in prospect. However my concerns were swiftly allayed by the helpful and committed staff at UWA, and by meeting fellow students. I love the vitality and vibrancy here, and found friends of all ages with similar interests. 
 

Why study History of Art at UWA?

  • Explore the ongoing significance of art as a platform for shaping and interpreting the world in which we live
  • Some units are taught overseas: recent destinations include Paris, Rome and China
  • You'll be taught by internationally recognised art historians

Why study History of Art at UWA?

Meet the teachers

Arvi Wattel

As a UWA history of art student, you'll be taught by internationally recognised art historians such as Arvi Wattel.

Arvi has an unstoppable drive to understand the visual world around him, past and present. He has worked in the Netherlands, Italy and the US.

"I always aim to translate my research into meaningful teaching and I am surprised to see how time and again my teaching forces me to review my research."

Meet the teachers

Excellent facilities

At the School of Design, you’ll have access to well-equipped facilities including:

  • Studio spaces
  • Design Hub, a working space with senior student mentors available for assistance

  • Digital fabrication equipment such as plastic extrusion 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC milling machines

  • Multiple computer labs with 24-hour access

  • Printmaking studio with etching presses and spray booths

  • Multimedia production facilities

  • Cullity Gallery, where you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

Excellent facilities

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

Fine Arts Fine Arts English and Literary Studies English and Literary Studies History History

Course structure details

Level 1

Core

Take all units (12 points):
Level 2

Option

Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
Level 3

Option

Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
Course structure details Other combinations
History of Art

You'll learn to

  • gather historical knowledge about a wide range of periods and visual media
  • critically communicate about visual form
  • recognise how art has shaped the history of ideas and how artists have imaged and imagined politics, religion, identity and culture
History of Art

You'll learn to

About the discipline

The History of Art discipline comprises some of Australia’s leading art historians whose expertise will suitably equip you for employment in art museums, commercial galleries, government or community arts programmes, as well as across a range of arts sector opportunities.

About the discipline

Student story

Molly Werner

Molly Werner
Find out more
Student story

Molly Werner

Molly Werner

I am interested in historical dress and the social and political factors that shape visual culture. When I enrolled in History of Art at UWA, I had recently finished a costume technician course and wanted to ground my practical skills with some research and writing skills.

I have found the staff here extremely helpful, approachable and invested in my learning journey.

I am looking towards forging a career in arts facilitation and public education. My ultimate goal is to be working with a collection of textiles or clothing, curating and conserving, or managing program delivery in an arts context.

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Life at the School of Design

Students on laptop and drinking coffee

Life at the School of Design

UWA’s School of Design is a collaboration of creative thinkers and makers that includes landscape architects, urban designers, experimental artists, historians and architects.