Art History

Overview

Critically explore historic and contemporary art first-hand and discover different aspects of art business – from museums and commercial galleries to art fairs.

Art now reaches a wider audience than ever before – not only via museums and galleries, but also via digital and social media. Designed to appeal to a wide variety of students, including those who haven't previously studied art history, this course combines first-hand research and analysis into why art is produced, when, where, by whom and for whom.

You'll experience

• Engaging content: incl. the curation and circulation of art throughout history
• Interdisciplinary learning: explore art in relation to business, fashion and more
• Hands-on study: learn from professional artists, curators and conservators
• A central location: join talks, tours and workshops in London's prized galleries

Why Regent’s?

• An intimate campus in the heart of London’s royal Regent’s Park
• Unparalleled global connections, with exposure to leading industry professionals
• An innovative curriculum combining subject, elective and industry modules
• Industry placements for hands-on experience in real-world environments
• Study abroad opportunities: gain international experience for a term in year two
• A global perspective with 130+ student nationalities on campus
• Small classes that champion tailored attention, support and guidance

Discover more about what makes Regent's special.

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What to expect  

Built on a strong chronological structure, from the Renaissance and the Baroque through to Modernism and the present day, the curation and circulation of art are key themes that underpin this course. You'll explore both historic and contemporary techniques, and examine how and why particular works of art are displayed at art fairs, auction houses, public museums and commercial galleries.

You’ll question the ways in which art has been created and interpreted over time, explore how it relates to fields like business, fashion and politics, and address how political, cultural and gendered narratives shape our understanding of it. You’ll also explore sustainability and the effects of the ongoing climate crisis, tracking art's engagement with the natural world from the fifteenth century to the present.

Throughout your time at Regent's, you'll build relationships with academics and industry insiders, and have opportunities to join talks and workshops with the likes of:

• Sally Waterman, artist and archive manager at Juergen Teller studios
• Ali MacGilp, Artist Liaison and Director at Frith Street Gallery
• Anna Gordon, photojournalist for The Guardian, Financial Times, Reuters  
• Priyesh Mistry, Associate Curator at the National Gallery
• Georgina Adams, journalist for the Financial Times and The Art Newspaper
• Winston Branch OBE, artist
• Philippa Abrahams, conservation expert on artists' materials

You’ll be able to personalise your degree, curate your own exhibition in the University's Knapp Gallery and undertake a professional placement. Recent placement destinations include:

• Galleri Aurelia
• Robilant+Voena
• Interval
• Royal Society for the Arts
• HdM Gallery

'During my placement at Robilant+Voena (now Voena Gallery), I wrote artist biographies, exhibition summaries and more... Working across roles (curatorial, sales and research) taught me how galleries operate as commercial and cultural entities simultaneously. The placement helped me to feel ready to work in the art industry after graduating.'
– Ara Aludra, BA Art History student

International trips

On this course, you'll enrich your learning with an international trip.* Recently, students visited Paris, where they enjoyed guided tours by Julia Weiner at the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. Deborah Schultz introduced the Gerhard Richter exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton and Art Basel Paris, where students gained insights from gallerists including Helena Pimenta (Galeria Luisa Strina, São Paulo) and Sam Chatterton Dickson (Lisson Gallery, London).

"The trip was an amazing experience that gave me a deeper understanding of art, culture and history – something that can’t always be gained from books or pictures alone. Seeing the art we studied in class firsthand made everything feel far more meaningful, and also brought our class closer together."
– Philine Persiehl, BA Art History student

*International trips are subject to availability and may not be guaranteed

London-centric learning

Based in Regent's Park, with London on your doorstep, you’ll have opportunities to engage with all aspects of the art world – exploring museums, galleries and private collections. Past students have visited and had guided tours at a variety of collections and institutions, including:

• Barbican Art Gallery
• British Museum
• Courtauld Gallery
• National Gallery
• National Portrait Gallery
• Parliament Art Collection
• The Photographers’ Gallery
• Victoria & Albert Museum
• Commercial galleries (including Gagosian, Pace, Frith Street, White Cube)
• Unconventional spaces like 180 The Strand and Ambika P3

They've also:

• Toured private collections, such as at the Deutsche Bank
• Spoken to experts at auction houses, public museums and commercial galleries
• Produced their own photograms at Darkroom London
• Visited historic houses like Strawberry Hill House, Leighton House, Eltham Palace
• Experienced Frieze Masters and Frieze London

Graduates and careers

Recent graduates have founded art platforms and advisory firms, been appointed to historic museums, auction houses, art fairs and commercial galleries and worked as consultants, managers, coordinators and editors for international brands including TEFAF, the Scrovegni Chapel, Galerie Perrotin, jaggedart and F. Schumacher & Co. More recently, students have interned at The Mall Galleries and The Art Newspaper.

“I had the most incredible experience working with Martina Merelli and the team at The Mall Galleries in preparation for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition. During my internship, I had the privilege of liaising with exhibiting artists, contributing to the creation of an exhibition portfolio for non-member selected artists, reviewing artists’ contracts, and assisting in the preparation of client lists and marketing materials... I’m incredibly proud to have contributed to such a prestigious and longstanding exhibition.”
– Stephanie Dix, BA Art History graduate

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A tailored experience

We put you in the driving seat – shaping your education from day one:

• Your own support officer: receive tailored advice and support when needed
• Academic guidance: access regular one-to-one tutorials – at least an hour each week
• Flexible modules: personalise your course with a choice of special electives
• Additional language classes: prepare for domestic and international opportunities

Optional Foundation year

If you opt for a Foundation year, you'll gain a solid grounding in academic skills and principles, as well as an introduction to your chosen subject area. It will provide a rich and varied experience to ensure you’re prepared for degree-level study in the UK – ready to develop specialist knowledge and confidently make the most of your course.

Download course specification.

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications year-round and there's no application fee. If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply and we'll issue you with a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you're currently studying for.

Step 1: Apply

• On our website, details here
• Through UCAS  (The Regent’s UCAS code is R18)

During the application process, you'll have the chance to upload supporting documents, including:

• A copy of your passport (photograph ID page)
• Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies
• A 300-500 word personal statement (view guidance)
• If you're not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency (take our test)

Credit transfer

If you’ve already studied part of your degree elsewhere, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join your new course at an advanced entry point. To apply for RPL, you'll need to state this clearly in your application and provide us with the certificates, transcripts and module descriptions for your previous course.

Step 2: Receive a response

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within 10 working days. We'll assess whether you meet our entry requirements and will notify you of our decision via email. UCAS applicants will also receive official notification via the UCAS system.

For some of our courses, the selection process may include an interview or audition. They can take the form of a one-to-one interview, a group interview or a portfolio review, which may be conducted by telephone or online. Arrangements of these are made between you and the Admissions department.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept your offer, you must pay your (non-refundable) advance tuition fee deposit. This will confirm your place. Here's how.

Step 4: Register 

Closer to the start of term, our Admissions team will send instructions regarding your registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you'll need to bring with you to campus.

Information for international students

If you're an overseas student, you'll likely require a visa to study in the UK. Here's how to apply.

Scholarships and funding

There are a wide variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help you finance your studies. For more information, please visit our scholarships and funding page.

Fees

Tuition fee:

• September 2026 or January 2027 start: £24,500 per year, fixed for the duration of the course
• September 2027 or January 2028 start: fees are under review; applicants will be notified once confirmed

Non-refundable advance deposit:

September 2026 or January 2027 start

• UK students: £1,500
• Non-UK students: £5,000

Read more about tuition fees.

When do I need to pay?

If you receive an offer for a course, you’ll receive a pro forma invoice. To accept your offer and secure your place, pay your deposit payment as soon as possible.

The remaining portion of your first year’s tuition fees will be due when you enrol. At this time, you’ll receive your invoice for the full year. You can choose to pay for the year in full before the start of your first academic year or in two instalments, spread out across the academic year. The dates of these instalments will be determined by when your course starts.

What do fees include?

Fees cover the cost of all tuition and access to the University’s IT infrastructure and library learning resources. Fees are presented for the first level of study which equates to two terms. 

What other costs should I budget for?

You will need to budget additional funds for accommodation and living expenses, travel, and any additional trips, visits, activities or courses that you choose to participate in outside of the tuition offered as part of your course.

The library holds a limited number of copies of core textbooks and where possible in e-format. You will be encouraged to purchase your own textbooks and will need to budget approximately £80-£100 per year, depending on your course.

How you'll learn

At Regent's, you’ll have the freedom to explore your interests in a dynamic, supportive and collaborative environment with interactive classes, industry opportunities, specialist facilities and tailored careers advice – ensuring you develop the skills, experience and confidence you need to secure your dream job.

Through regular visits to museums, galleries, archives and collections, you'll be able to study works of art first-hand and meet with industry professionals – enabling you to engage directly with those in the field. You'll also have the chance to curate your own exhibition in Regent's Knapp Gallery and join placements, offering valuable industry experience.

Contact hours

You’ll have 14 hours per week of timetabled teaching. Outside your classes, you'll work on assignments both independently and collaboratively with classmates. This involves further reading, research and reflection, as well as preparation for workshops and assessments.

Teaching staff

You'll be taught by professional artists, art historians, curators and advisors who continue to work in this sector – so their knowledge and experience ensures your classes are shaped by the latest industry practices. They regularly have work published in journals and collaborate with institutions, such as the Victoria & Albert Museum. 

The team includes Julia Weiner, who recently featured in ‘Paint, prejudice and the power of art – the story of Solomon Hart’ as part of David FitzGerald's programme on BBC Radio Devon (listen here); Dr Deborah Schultz, who recently published an exhibition review in the Hong Kong-based art journal ArtAsiaPacific, which comprises the work of artist Fiona Tan (read here); and Dr Nadja Stamselberg​, who is the Curator of Regent's own Knapp Gallery.

You'll also attend guest lectures with leading businesses and brands, and benefit from seminars led by art industry professionals working in museums, galleries and auction houses. Recent speakers have included Dina Andrzheychik (Frieze Connect), Tanya Baxter (Art Gallery and Art Advisory), Ali MacGilp (Frith Street Gallery), Enrica Medugno (Bonhams Auction House) and Martina Merelli (The Mall Galleries).

For additional support, you’ll be allocated an Academic Advisor, who you’ll meet with regularly on a one-to-one basis.

Assessments

You’ll be assessed via projects, reports, exhibition reviews, inspiration boards, essays and more. It's important to us that your learning is inclusive, engaging and authentic – that’s why our assessment types are varied, dynamic and built around real-world ways of working.

Disability support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns. Please speak to us as soon as possible, so we can provide the help you need.

Academic requirements: Year 1 entry

We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and review each application comprehensively on its own merit.

One of the following qualifications:

• Three GCE A-levels at grade A-C
• 24 points in the International Baccalaureate
• US High School Diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.5 PLUS one of the following:
  • Three AP tests with an average grade of 3 (or two, with an average grade of 4)
  • SAT score of 1100 (550+ in both subjects)
  • ACT with a composite score of 26 (20 in each section)
  • Dual Enrolment and College credits (1st year) – 30, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Equivalent qualifications as deemed acceptable by the University and set out in the Admissions Guide and UK ENIC.

For more guidance on international entry requirements, visit our international students page.

English language requirements

Minimum English proficiency requirement through one of the following qualifications (or equivalent):

Please note, we do not accept home/online editions of English language tests.

We also offer our conditional offer holders a free, online diagnostic test known as Password Skills Plus. This must be booked in advance. Discover more.

*Qualification satisfies the English language requirements of the UKVI for non-UK/Irish nationals.

Student support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns. This includes learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, mental health difficulties, autism spectrum conditions, mobility difficulties, and temporary or chronic health conditions. 

Our Student Support & Welfare team is here to support you. We ask that you speak with us as early as you can to enable us to support you. Find out more about our disability support and contact us. 

Careers

Graduate as a culturally aware, critical thinker with the practical skills to work in the competitive art field. You may choose to:

• Join galleries, historic houses, auction houses or museums
• Work for an art fair company
• Get into arts management, working with creative companies
• Work in PR, social media management, interpretation or development
• Become an art advisor or consultant for a public business or private client
• Pursue fine art publishing or journalism
• Join your family business and expand their exposure, clients, etc.
• Launch a start-up

While this course often leads to graduates entering these professions, the transferable skills you develop will allow you to choose any career that aligns with your interests.

You can extend your studies and deepen your understanding with our MA Global Art Markets course. Alternatively, many students go on to postgraduate study at other prestigious institutions, such as Sotheby’s Institute of Art (London and New York), University College London, New York University, University of the Arts London, University of Oxford, The Courtauld Institute of Art, King's College London and University of Edinburgh.

Inspiring alumni include:

• Alina Arcari – Marketing Manager at TEFAF
• Giovanna Traversa – Co-Founder of curatorial art platform Hatch, based in Paris
• Olivia Farhat – Co-Founder of LAS Art, an independent art advisory firm in Cairo, NY
• Natasha Nejman – Head of Accounting at Sloane Street Auctions
• Anya Forey (Nikolaeva) – Digital Marketing Manager at HdM Gallery
• Martha Moskowitz – Associate Editor at F. Schumacher & Co
• Davis Goldenberg – Account Coordinator for global furniture dealer, Insidesource

Graduate visa

After you've completed your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. This enables you to work or look for work in the UK for up to 18 months after you leave Regent's, without the pressure of having to secure a job immediately.

Careers support

Feeling overwhelmed about your career path? Our Careers team is here to provide tailored advice and support every step of the way, as well as lifelong access to invaluable resources.

• 24/7 access to online guidance and resources
• Exclusive internships, networking opportunities and industry events
• Personalised consultations – from interview and CV prep to business advice
• Access to Handshake, connecting you with 650k+ global employers