Undergraduate courses

History of Art studies the interpretation and understanding of works of art in the context of their time and the societies that made and used them.

History of Art has developed a wide range of ways to study artworks. These include the study of style (connoisseurship), and of subject matter (iconography) as well as inquiries into the functions (social, political or religious) of works of art, and the representation of class, gender and cultural difference. History of Art is concerned with how cultural meanings are produced and circulated, and with how different visual artefacts are valued by the societies that produce and use them.

We offer a single honours degree, but if you prefer, you can combine your studies in History of Art with one of a range of other subjects.

• BA History of Art and Architecture
• BA Art and History of Art
• BA English and History of Art
• BA History and History of Art
• BA Ancient History and History of Art
• BA Classics and History of Art

Single Honours BA

A degree in the History of Art and Architecture at Reading will provide you with the analytical and descriptive skills to understand the meaning and significance of the visual arts. In an increasingly image dominated world it is important to be able to understand and explain the power and meaning of objects and artefacts, and the ability to do so is relevant to many different careers. We encourage independent study and also emphasise personal development and the ability to work with others. Our teaching is designed to encourage you to be able to express yourself with clarity, confidence and precision in oral presentations and in written work.

Joint Honours BA

Combining History of Art with another degree subject enables you:

• to follow your interests in two subjects which are equally weighted
• to develop your flexibility and a wide range of knowledge and skills, increasingly attractive to employers
• to develop insights into the connections between different subjects, broadening your range of postgraduate opportunities if you decide to go on to further study

Studying History of Art alongside another subject means you will have all the usual skills of a graduate such as the ability to plan and prioritise your work, communication skills, literacy and numeracy. But uniquely, you will develop excellent skills in visual analysis, applicable to a wide range of careers from advertising and working in the media, to museums and gallery work. Many of our joint honours graduates go on to postgraduate study; taking MA degrees in either History of Art or in their other subject; or in new interdisciplinary MA subjects. Some go further, taking a research degree that combines their two subjects or specialises in one of them.

In addition to the courses listed above, History of Art and Architecture may also be combined with either:

• Archaeology
• Film and Drama
• French
• German
• Italian
• Typography

You will follow the same course as Single Honours students except that you will choose fewer modules. The Joint Honours BA in History of Art and Architecture when combined with a modern language extends over 4 rather than 3 years as the whole of the third year is spent abroad at a major university with which Reading has long-standing links. The Joint Honours BA with Art also extends over 4 years.