
- UCAS course code
- V360
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Duration
- 3 years
- Typical A-level offer
-
ABB
- Typical contextual A-level offer
-
Grades BBB (can include General Studies).Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Refugee/care-experienced offer
-
Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- V360
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- Study at one of the top 10 universities in the UK for Art History (Guardian University Guide 2022).
- Gain a broad-based foundation in art history while studying in Manchester, the home of numerous art galleries.
- Explore your interest in Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, Victorian, modern and contemporary art, as well as architectural history and theory.
- Learn to situate artworks within social and historical contexts, and in relation to issues of gender and sexuality, class, ethnicity, patronage, connoisseurship, science, religious beliefs and systems of display.
Open days
We are carefully reviewing all our recruitment events in light of the developing coronavirus outbreak.
View the latest updates on measures we are taking .
As we're unable to host on-campus visits, or attend events like UCAS and overseas recruitment fairs at the moment, look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.
You will be able to watch videos about the university, including accommodation, student finance and course-specific sessions.
We'll update our website once plans for 2021 events are able to be confirmed.
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2022 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £21,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Contact name
- Katie O'Donnell
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 6083
- ug-ahvs@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/art-history/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Related courses
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
Grades ABB (can incl Gen Studs).
It is not necessary to have studied Art or Art History before taking this course. However, we welcome students who can show an active interest in and enthusiasm for the subject by visiting museums and galleries or by their choice of reading.
AS-level
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers. In addition, one Scottish Advanced Higher is normally required at Grade B. Where a pre-requisite subject is required at A-level, then this Advanced Higher should be in that subject.
English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Welsh Baccalaureate
The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
European Baccalaureate
We normally require 77% to include a minimum of 8.0 in at least one essay-based subject.
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade B in the EAP with writing and speaking grade B and listening and reading grade C.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade B in the EAP with writing and speaking grade B and listening and reading grade C.
Please read this in conjunction with our A-level requirements, noting any pre-requisite subjects.
For all other foundation programmes please see this list of approved UK foundation programmes .
Pearson BTEC qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade B in an essay-based subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade B in in an essay-based subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades BB (one of these A-levels should be in an essay-based subject).
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new BTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC): we do not consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry to this course.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Merit, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics .
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level/A Level at min. Grade B an essay-based subject such as English or History, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC) : we consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades BB, one of which must be in an essay-based subject such as English or History.
The University of Manchester will consider applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Access to HE Diploma
The specific course requirements are a minimum of 30 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 15 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.
Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.
Cambridge Pre-U
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.
Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve a combination of D3, M2, M2 in the Pre-U and ABB at A level in three distinct subjects.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
The University recognises the value of Level 3 Core Mathematics qualifications. Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer we make. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider a student's application, particularly for courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element that does not require A Level Mathematics. Academic Schools may also choose to take a student's performance in Core Mathematics into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.
Where a course requires applicants to have at least grade 6/B or higher in GCSE Mathematics we would be likely to consider a pass in Core Mathematics at a minimum grade C or B as an alternative way to fulfil this requirement. Where an A Level in Mathematics is required then Core Mathematics will not be accepted in lieu of an A Level.
A Level and GCSE Mathematics requirements for our courses vary according to subject so we advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether a student's portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4 or;
- IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or;
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.
Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
How your application is considered
Returning to education
We actively welcome applicants from mature students with an interest in the visual arts. We will consider applications from a variety of educational backgrounds, whether they have completed A-levels, Access courses or other qualifications. Our mature students can choose from full or part-time routes through the degree and we are sensitive to the particular concerns of mature students. Individual enquiries are welcome and all mature applicants are interviewed before arriving at any admission decision.
Deferrals
Deferrals are normally allowed; however, we do ask applicants to let us know as early as possible if they are intending to defer. This helps us to adjust the number of offers we make, in order to achieve the required number of students in a given year.
Re-applications
Transfers
We will consider applications to transfer to Manchester from other universities and would normally ask for a letter explaining why a transfer was needed, relevant transcripts, a copy of the applicant's UCAS form and a confidential reference from one of the applicant's current university tutors.
We will consider applications to transfer from other degrees within the University of Manchester but applicants are required to have the A-level grades (or other qualifications) needed for entry to that degree programme.
Both of the above are subject to our having enough places to accommodate such applicants. Enquiries should be made to the admissions administrator for the subject (see contact details).
Course details
Course description

"My favourite thing was how close-knit the department feels.
"When I hear of my friends being on courses with hundreds of other students, I feel fortunate that I was one of just 60, which meant we all got to know each other by name, and it was easy to make a lot of friends."
Miriam Dafydd / 2017 graduate
BA History of Art is a wide-ranging and in-depth degree which explores art history and visual culture from the Medieval era to the present.
The broad range of staff expertise offers you the opportunity to study a varied and exciting curriculum.
As you progress to Years 2 and 3, you will select pathways of study that suit your individual interests.
We offer a broad choice of subject areas, paired with in-depth study and research.
Strengths are in Medieval, Renaissance, Post-Renaissance, Modern, Contemporary and Global art history.
Our curriculum includes a pathway devoted to curating and gallery studies.
Topics covered include the museum as institution, collecting, practical aspects of curating and making exhibitions, and art writing.
Special features


Placement year option
Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.
Overseas opportunities
We offer two unique summer internships at the world-famous Venice Peggy Guggenheim Collection. In your second year you'll go on a five-day field trip to a European city, such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona or Berlin. The trip combines guided tours and talks with independent research and culminates in an extended essay on your return to the UK.
You may also apply to spend one semester studying abroad during the second year of your degree. Exchange partners are offered via the Worldwide Exchange scheme, in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore.
Extracurricular opportunities
Join our student society, the Manchester Art Group, which curates events, talks, exhibitions and trips, and aims to link up with contemporary art practice in Manchester and across the North West.
You could also join Arts Emergency, which aims to encourage the production of a new generation of thinkers by highlighting the reversal of decades of social and educational access to arts and humanities, or the Whitworth Young Contemporaries Student Society , which brings together students who have an interest in the arts, culture and creativity to make the Whitworth part of students' academic, cultural and social life.
Teaching and learning
Teaching takes place in a variety of formats, including lectures, small seminar groups, workshops, gallery visits, and one-to-one tutorials.
Seminars are normally very interactive - you may be given reading in advance that will form the basis of a class discussion and you will be expected to contribute occasional oral presentations, building your skills and confidence in presentation techniques.
Some course units feature group projects culminating in online content development or a physical exhibition/display.
Classroom time is frequently supplemented by new media, such as the virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
You will also have access to other digital resources to support your learning.
Many of our courses include fieldwork visits to galleries or special exhibitions throughout the UK.
This means regular classes in Manchester at places like HOME , the City Art Gallery and the University's own Whitworth Art Gallery .
We offer several travel bursaries through the Lady Chorley Fund to assist final-year students with their dissertation research.
You will spend approximately 12 hours a week in formal study sessions.
For every hour spent at University, you will be expected to complete a further two to three hours of independent study.
You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, or revising for examinations.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- coursework essays;
- research reports;
- practical tests;
- learning logs;
- web contributions;
- small-scale practical assignments;
- seminar presentations and participation;
- library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection.
Many course units are assessed through a mixture of techniques.
In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation.
Written feedback is provided in the form of essay and exam cover sheets and, in the case of orally delivered seminar papers, a verbal report from the tutor. We provide feedback on both the content of your writing and the construction and clarity of the argument posed.
As a student here you'll gain both academic writing skills and insight into the development of arts-specific composition, such as catalogue entries, gallery interpretation, exhibition reviews and journalistic articles.
Course tutors are available without appointment in their office hours twice a week outside scheduled teaching hours, allowing you to gain advice and feedback on your work.
Course content for year 1
This is a foundation year that introduces key art historical concepts and methods of analysis and interpretation as well as skills in academic writing.
It includes a substantial amount of gallery-based teaching.
In your first year you will follow five main course units.
The lecture/seminar courses 'Art Works in History' (1 and 2) and 'Art Spaces' are designed to familiarise you with a range of materials from the ancient world to the present from around the world; they will also introduce you to the institutional and other spaces that mediate the reception of art, from the Renaissance to the present, from art academies, to the rise of the museum, through to art fairs and biennials.
Lectures are complemented by weekly `Art History Tutorial' seminar courses, which run in both semesters.
These courses offer interactive, personalised learning in small groups on a range of topics designed to refine critical and writing skills, and to introduce current issues in Art History.
Finally, you must take one outside course unit from a wide-ranging selection of courses in other disciplines.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Art Spaces | AHCP10051 | 20 | Mandatory |
Art History Tutorial 1 | AHCP10381 | 20 | Mandatory |
Art History Tutorial 2 | AHCP10382 | 20 | Mandatory |
Ice Age to Baroque: Artworks in History | SALC10041 | 20 | Mandatory |
Rococo to Now: Artworks in History | SALC10042 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to World Cinema | SALC11002 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 2
In second year, you take a mix of core and optional course units.
The objective is to provide you with a deeper understanding of theories and approaches in the study of art history, and a broad-based knowledge of both pre-modern and modern art, architecture and visual culture.
You will learn about different historical periods in the optional courses.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Art in Theory | AHCP20432 | 20 | Mandatory |
European Art History Fieldtrip | AHCP20701 | 20 | Mandatory |
Art in Britain | AHCP20221 | 20 | Optional |
Art in South Asia | AHCP20802 | 20 | Optional |
Renaissance and Baroque Architecture 1450-1750 | AHCP22121 | 20 | Optional |
The Neo-Avant-Garde and the Crisis of Medium, 1945-1974 | AHCP22811 | 20 | Optional |
Art in Vienna 1880-1938 | AHCP24102 | 20 | Optional |
Digital Ways of Seeing: Theory and Practice | AHCP24232 | 20 | Optional |
Visual Cultures in China and East Asia | CHIN22521 | 20 | Optional |
The Italian Renaissance | ITAL21011 | 20 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 11 course units for year 2 | |||
Display all course units for year 2 |
Course content for year 3
In the third year you take two seminar courses each semester, allowing you in-depth contact with a wide range of subjects (many of which are the specialist areas of the members of teaching staff).
These 'Option' courses are focused on an area of study defined by genre, artistic identity, medium or approach.
They are taught in small groups and encourage participation and active learning.
Finally, you will also write a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words on a topic of your own choosing.
The dissertation, supervised by a member of staff, gives you the chance to research a subject in depth and helps you to refine your research and study skills.
It also gives you the skills necessary to organise a coherent argument over a long piece of writing.
Your four option course units will be chosen from a wide array of choices.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
History of Art Dissertation | AHCP30000 | 40 | Mandatory |
The English Baroque: Architecture and Society 1660-1730 | AHCP30011 | 20 | Optional |
Art and Ecologies | AHCP30052 | 20 | Optional |
The Global Renaissance | AHCP30551 | 20 | Optional |
Art After Modernism: Approaching Contemporary Art | AHCP30561 | 20 | Optional |
Picasso | AHCP33132 | 20 | Optional |
The Art of Medieval Manuscripts | AHCP33612 | 20 | Optional |
Producing Digital Projects | AHCP33922 | 20 | Optional |
Travellers' Tales: Italy in the British Imagination | ITAL30582 | 20 | Optional |
What our students say
What impressed me most about studying here is the amount and quality of support that the staff provided throughout my course.
Whether you go to see them about personal or academic issues, they always have time for you.
Michaela Blackburn, BA (Hons) History of Art
My favourite thing was how close-knit the department feels.
When I hear of my friends being on courses with hundreds of other students, I feel fortunate that I was one of just 60, which meant we all got to know each other by name, and it was easy to make a lot of friends.
Miriam Dafydd (pictured), BA (Hons) History of Art
Studying History of Art in Manchester has been an amazing experience. The University has a partnership with my university in China and when I heard about what the course offered, I just had to take part!
I have been exposed to various artists, works, stories and ideas. They have really changed my views of the world. Now I understand art and artworks more. They are full of fun and not that mysterious.
I found the lecturers to be super approachable, it's made studying at the University a superb experience.
Anran Zhao, BA (Hons) History of Art
From career events and placements at local galleries to the amazing internship at the Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Manchester really helps students to acquire the essential skills employers look for.
It's my first year and I have already started an Internship at the Whitworth Art Gallery as a member of the curatorial team for a new exhibition.
Francesca Casaburi, BA (Hons) History of Art with French Studies
Facilities


The rich cultural heritage and attractions of Manchester and the north-west are within easy reach.
The Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery offer unique access to the environment of the working museum and art gallery, as well as to important works of art.
The Whitworth is a major resource, and its outstanding collections of paintings, prints, textiles and wallpapers are used extensively in our teaching. It is also home to collections from world-renowned artists such as Blake, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Munch and others.
You can also explore original art in the city's famous galleries, such as the Lowry, Manchester Art Gallery and the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art.
The main library provision is the University Library, one of the UK's top university libraries with arguably the best access to electronic resources of any library in Europe.
This is one of the largest academic libraries in Britain and houses a Special Collections Department on Deansgate which contains a superb and diverse collection of manuscripts, illustrated books and other material relevant to Art History.
Art History students also enjoy a discipline-specific library in the same building as our department.
It provides a pleasant and quiet working environment for students, with access to the most used publications.
A convenient and comfortable study environment, it also houses a very large, well-organised slide, video and computer-based image collection.
Learn more on the Facilities page.
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants from the Disability Support Office. Email: disability@manchester.ac.uk
Careers
Career opportunities

From career events and placements at local galleries to the amazing internship at the Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Manchester really helps students to acquire the essential skills employers look for.
It's my first year and I have already started an Internship at the Whitworth Art Gallery as a member of the curatorial team for a new exhibition.
Francesca Casaburi / BA History of Art with French Studies (Year 1)
A degree in Art History not only prepares you for a career in the art world, but also equips you with intellectual and practical skills applicable to many spheres of employment.
We live in an image-saturated world where understanding the power of images and having the skills to interpret and analyse them can lead to a satisfying career in a variety of industries.
Studying Art History at Manchester will provide you with the chance to gain practical experience, and students are able to gain placements across Manchester, including at The Whitworth, the University's art gallery, and further afield.
Our surveys of recent graduates have revealed that our students also pursue an impressive variety of careers in such fields as law, banking, fashion, advertising, accountancy, business management, commerce, the new media, computing and archive studies.
Recent graduate career destinations include:
- Education Officer, De Morgan Collection;
- Royal Collections Exhibitions Curator;
- Archivist, Tate Liverpool;
- Art Officer, English Heritage.
The creative economy accounts for 1 in 11 jobs across the UIK and employs 700,000 more people than the financial services industry (Creative Industries Federation).
The University of Manchester is the most targeted university in the UK for top graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2019).
Our award-winning careers service provides a wealth of tools, advice, development opportunities and industry links.
You'll have access to dedicated, subject-specific support throughout your studies and for up to two years after graduation.
Our undergraduate courses are also designed to provide an easy transition into postgraduate study, if desired.
We offer a wide range of specialist master's courses within the University and even offer fast-tracked enrolment to high-achieving undergraduate students.
Our students can take part in our Stellify programme alongside their degrees, developing professional and leadership skills while contributing to their local and global communities through volunteering.