BA Hons Art History

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Regents University London

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Art History at Regent's University London offers a critical exploration of art across cultures and historical periods, helping students understand how artworks reflect social, political, economic, and cultural change. Combining academic study with first-hand engagement in London's museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural institutions, the programme develops the analytical, research, and curatorial skills needed for careers across the arts, heritage, and creative industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students establish a strong foundation in art history through modules including Situating Art, Renaissance Art and Society, Baroque Art: Faith, Crown and Commerce, and Art Now. They examine key artistic movements from the Renaissance to contemporary art while developing critical research, visual analysis, and academic writing skills through seminars held both on campus and in London's galleries and museums.

Year 2

The second year deepens historical and theoretical knowledge through modules such as Art in the Age of Revolution, Interpreting Art, and The Art Business. Students investigate eighteenth- and nineteenth-century European art, explore different approaches to interpreting artworks, and gain insight into the commercial art world by studying galleries, auction houses, private collections, art fairs, and the global art market. Optional Placement, Study Abroad, and elective modules enable students to broaden their academic and professional experience.

Year 3

In the final year, students specialise through advanced modules including Twentieth Century Modernisms, Art and the Environment, and an independent Major Project. They investigate modern and contemporary artistic movements, environmental humanities, colonialism, gender, exhibition practices, and interdisciplinary research while producing an original dissertation or research project aligned with their academic and career interests.

Focus Areas (String)

Art history, Renaissance art, Baroque art, Modernism, Contemporary art, Visual culture, Art interpretation, Museum studies, Art business, Curatorial practice, Cultural heritage, Exhibition studies, Art criticism, Global art history

Learning Outcomes (String)

Analyse artworks within historical and cultural contexts, Apply art historical research methods, Interpret visual culture critically, Develop academic writing and presentation skills, Evaluate museum and gallery practices, Understand the global art market, Conduct independent research, Communicate complex ideas effectively, Build professional analytical skills, Prepare for careers in the arts and cultural sector

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme combines academic study with professional engagement through gallery seminars, museum visits, auction house visits, exhibition projects, optional placements, and study abroad opportunities. Students also gain practical insight into curatorial practice and the global art market through modules such as The Art Business, preparing them for careers across museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural organisations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Based in central London, Regent's provides students with direct access to internationally renowned museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural institutions. The programme extends learning beyond the classroom through regular gallery-based teaching, industry networking, and professional engagement with curators, artists, and art historians, while students also benefit from Regent's international outlook and global alumni network.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA (Hons) Art History combines academic study with first-hand engagement in the art world, allowing students to analyse artworks in the places where they are displayed, collected, and interpreted. Rather than learning solely in lecture rooms, students regularly study in museums, galleries, auction houses, archives, and heritage sites across London, gaining practical insight into curatorial practice, exhibition design, and the global art market. With central London as an extended classroom, students build valuable professional networks while developing research, analytical, and communication skills through real-world experiences. Practical learning opportunities include:

Learn through first-hand, object-based study, examining artworks in museums, galleries, heritage sites, auction houses, archives, and private collections, rather than relying solely on classroom teaching.
Participate in regular gallery seminars, museum visits, and exhibition tours, using London's internationally renowned cultural institutions as an extension of the classroom.
Gain practical curatorial experience by planning and curating an exhibition in Regent's Knapp Gallery, developing exhibition planning, object selection, interpretation, and visitor engagement skills.
Explore the commercial side of the arts through visits to auction houses, commercial galleries, art fairs, archives, and private collections, gaining valuable insight into the global art market and cultural heritage sector.
Attend guest lectures, workshops, and masterclasses delivered by curators, museum professionals, auction house specialists, conservators, artists, and art historians, creating valuable networking opportunities within the arts and heritage sectors.
Participate in specialist learning experiences including visits to Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Claridge's ArtSpace, Darkroom London, Superblue London, and the British Museum, exposing students to contemporary exhibitions, emerging technologies, and international art markets.
Undertake an optional professional placement, gaining practical experience with museums, galleries, auction houses, cultural organisations, archives, heritage institutions, or creative enterprises while building professional industry connections.
Choose an optional Study Abroad opportunity at one of Regent's international partner universities, broadening your understanding of global art history, museum practice, and cultural heritage.
Work on individual research projects, group presentations, exhibition analyses, object studies, and critical essays, strengthening analytical thinking, academic writing, public speaking, leadership, and research skills valued across the creative industries.
Personalise your studies through cross-disciplinary elective modules and the opportunity to study a foreign language, allowing you to combine art history with business, politics, history, media, or international relations.
Access the Regent's University Library, which offers specialist art history books, exhibition catalogues, academic journals, image archives, and digital research databases to support independent study and dissertation research.
Receive personalised support from Careers, Enterprise and Industry Services, including career coaching, CV reviews, internship guidance, employer networking, enterprise mentoring, and access to the Handshake careers platform for placements and graduate opportunities in museums, galleries, auction houses, and cultural organisations.
Benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with academic staff, visiting experts, and a personal tutor, enabling tailored feedback and strong professional development throughout the programme.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Art History develop advanced analytical, research, curatorial, and communication skills that prepare them for careers across museums, galleries, auction houses, heritage organisations, and the wider creative industries. Through object-based learning, exhibition projects, industry engagement, and professional placements, the programme prepares students for roles such as Curator, Gallery Manager, Art Consultant, and Museum Collections Officer, while also opening opportunities in publishing, arts management, journalism, and cultural entrepreneurship.

Dedicated Careers, Enterprise and Industry Services: Students receive personalised career coaching, CV and portfolio reviews, interview preparation, employer networking, placement guidance, enterprise mentoring, and access to the Handshake careers platform, connecting them with 650,000+ global employers for internships, placements, and graduate opportunities. Students also complete Exploring Industry and Entrepreneurship, an Industry Challenge, Enterprise Challenge, or an optional Work Placement, gaining valuable professional experience before graduation.
Employment outcomes: While Regent's does not publish programme-specific salary figures, graduates pursue careers in museums, galleries, auction houses, art fairs, historic houses, arts management, publishing, journalism, conservation, collection management, education, and the wider creative industries. Recent graduates have founded art platforms and advisory firms and secured positions with organisations including TEFAF, Galerie Perrotin, and F. Schumacher & Co.
University–industry partnerships: Students work closely with curators, museum professionals, auction house specialists, artists, and gallery directors through guest lectures, workshops, networking events, gallery seminars, and exhibition projects. They also curate exhibitions in the University's Knapp Gallery, undertake optional placements, and regularly visit museums, galleries, auction houses, archives, heritage sites, and international art fairs across London.
Long-term professional value: Graduates leave with practical experience in curating exhibitions, researching collections, art interpretation, critical writing, public presentation, exhibition planning, project management, and visual analysis, alongside transferable analytical, leadership, and communication skills that are highly valued across the arts, heritage, media, and creative sectors.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates build careers as Curators, Gallery Managers, Museum Officers, Art Advisors, Auction House Specialists, Arts Managers, Collection Managers, Heritage Consultants, Art Journalists, and Cultural Project Coordinators. Others establish independent consultancies, launch creative businesses, continue into academia, or join family businesses within the arts sector.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this programme, graduates can progress to postgraduate study in Art History, Curating, Museum Studies, Heritage Management, Arts Management, Cultural Policy, Conservation, Visual Culture, or Gallery and Museum Practice. The research expertise, exhibition experience, professional portfolio, and industry connections developed throughout the programme also provide a strong foundation for doctoral research, curatorial training, cultural entrepreneurship, or advanced professional practice within the international arts and heritage sector.