History of Art (BA) (Part-time) - 2013/2014 entry

The 11 modules required for this programme are structured as broad introductory modules in the first year, as more focused thematic and period-based modules in the second year, and as a range of specialised seminar modules in the final years, requiring increasing independence of thought as the degree progresses. You also write a dissertation in your final year. You may take two modules in other disciplines as part of the programme, in consulation with your personal tutor.

Year 1

• Introduction to European Art before 1800
• Introduction to the History of Art and Screen Media
• Introduction to Modern Art.

Year 2

• Debates in Art History

and two 'period' modules, chosen from:

• Art and Architecture in Europe 1250–1400
• Art and Architecture in Europe 1400–1550
• Art and Society in the Nineteenth Century
• Art and Society in the Twentieth Century.

Years 3 and 4

Four specialist modules (two in each year), chosen from about 10 on offer annually or three specialist modules and a third period module chosen from the list above. Dissertation on a subject of your choice.

Specialist modules may include:

• Narrative Art in the Age of Giotto
• Electronic Visions: Video, Animation, Kinetic and Computer Art since the 1950s
• ‘Marvellous Works’: Naturalism in Renaissance Art, Theory, and Science
• Art and War: 1914 to the Present
• Landscape and the Nineteenth Century
• Art and Architecture in Rome 1500-1527
• The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago de Compostela: Construction and Display
• Fin-de-Siècle Vienna
• Art and Architecture at the Early Stuart Courts
• Portraiture in England in the Long Eighteenth Century. 

Birkbeck Library is well stocked with relevant books, and subscribes to many digital resources including image-banks.

Find out more about our world-class research resources, as well as our specialist resources.

We offer an MA History of Art and an MA Museum Cultures and PhDs.

Graduates go on to careers in museum and gallery administration, as curators, in auction houses, as researchers, and as journalists.

Hannah Collett

'I did a BA degree at Birkbeck after retiring from teaching as a new challenge and a way of preventing my brain from atrophying. I chose History of Art as I have been a gallery-goer for many years, and wanted to know more about what I was looking at.

The course was extremely stimulating with a very high standard of lectures, some excellent trips abroad and some pretty demanding essays and exams. As a result, my interest in the subject has greatly increased, and I derive enhanced pleasure from attending exhibitions with friends from Birkbeck.'

Colin Dunn

'The idea of doing a degree in History of Art seemed quite perverse to me until a friend happened to show me that I could attend lectures and be a student again, but in the evenings.

Intellectually and visually, you develop enormously on this programme. Your critical faculties are sharpened, and you find yourself changing your mind about certain artists. I had revelations every year. First year was my Florentine Renaissance year. Second Year was Durer. Third Year was Raphael. Fourth Year was Giovanni Bellini and Titian. I had dismissed Titian as a dreadful old bore, but on seeing the range of his work and reading and listening in lectures, I realised that he was a terrifically versatile artist.

My advice on doing a History of Art degree? Do not delay. Become familiar with the National Gallery and don't just read the cards beside each work, use your eyes. And come into it with an open mind. You'll love it. I did, and now I mourn the loss of my twice-weekly lectures.'

Marianne Yule

'I graduated from the BA History of Art programme in 2005. Having worked in scientific research for many years, I felt the need of a change. Visiting art galleries and museums had been my leisure-time interest, and I decided to gain in-depth knowledge of the history of art.

I chose Birkbeck because it offered the opportunity of part-time study, a degree in only four years, and a wide choice of modules. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, the high standard of teaching, and the company of enthusiastic fellow-students. I have now changed career and work on the documentation of the art collections at University College, London.'

Find out more about our students.

• In addition to the online application form, you will need to complete and submit an additional exercise.

• Interviews from end of January (early application recommended).

Welcome to Birkbeck, London's evening university: Number 1 in London for teaching and student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2012).

Birkbeck specialises in part-time, evening study. The Key Information Set has been developed for full-time, daytime courses. We are providing some additional information about our evening courses to help you make an informed choice.

Fees:
The Key Information Set (KIS) for this degree course shows the annual fee for a 3-year, full-time degree. This is a 4-year, part-time evening degree and the annual fee is lower than the fee shown in the KIS. See 'Fees and funding' in the left hand menu for the correct fee for this course.

Years of study:
The KIS presents all degrees as 3-year courses. Birkbeck's standard part-time, evening degree is a 4-year course.