Undergraduate

History of Art

Understanding the history of art enables students to explore in detail the ongoing significance of art as a platform for shaping and interpreting the world in which we live.

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Graduates with a History of Art major are well equipped to enter a range of careers. Many graduates have gone on to careers connected in some way with the arts, such as arts administrators, curators, museum administrators, gallery directors, art historians, art conservators and arts festival administrators.
Graduates with a History of Art major are well equipped to enter a range of careers. Many graduates have gone on to careers connected in some way with the arts, such as arts administrators, curators, museum administrators, gallery directors, art historians, art conservators and arts festival administrators.

Further Study

Graduates who complete a History of Art (Honours) course to a high enough standard could complete a Master of Philosophy or PhD.
Graduates who complete a History of Art (Honours) course to a high enough standard could complete a Master of Philosophy or PhD.
Postgraduate study at UWA

Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

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Course details

This major furnishes you with the knowledge and skills to gain employment in art galleries and museums, community and public art programs and with auction houses and major collections. You'll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of art history and the specific communication skills required to engage in artistic dialogue, plus you'll possess a qualification valued by arts professionals worldwide.

About the course

By examining the construction, reception and circulation of art objects across time and cultures, this major equips you with historical knowledge, rigorous analytical skills and the capacity to critically communicate about visual form.

History of Art

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 3 hours teaching time plus own study time for the History of Art major. Additional teaching and study time will be required for the non-History of Art units making up your degree.
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-HYART
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
History of Art
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 3 hours teaching time plus own study time for the History of Art major. Additional teaching and study time will be required for the non-History of Art units making up your degree.
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-HYART
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Form connections

See what our students are up to by following the School of Design Facebook pageSchool of Design Instagram account and School of Design on LinkedIn.

The UWA ALVA Student Society is affiliated with the UWA Student Guild and represents students within the School of Design. Visit the ALVA Student Society on Facebook.

Student story

Maree Crouch

Student story
Maree Crouch

Why study History of Art at UWA?

  • Explore the ongoing significance of art as a platform for shaping and interpreting the world in which we live
  • Some units are taught overseas: recent destinations include Paris, Rome and China
  • You'll be taught by internationally recognised art historians

Meet the teachers

Arvi Wattel

As a UWA history of art student, you'll be taught by internationally recognised art historians such as Arvi Wattel.

Arvi has an unstoppable drive to understand the visual world around him, past and present. He has worked in the Netherlands, Italy and the US.

"I always aim to translate my research into meaningful teaching and I am surprised to see how time and again my teaching forces me to review my research."

Excellent facilities

At the School of Design, you’ll have access to well-equipped facilities including:

  • Studio spaces
  • Design Hub, a working space with senior student mentors available for assistance
  • Digital fabrication equipment such as plastic extrusion 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC milling machines

  • Multiple computer labs with 24-hour access

  • Printmaking studio with etching presses and spray booths

  • Multimedia production facilities

  • Cullity Gallery, where you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

History of Art

You'll learn to

  • gather historical knowledge about a wide range of periods and visual media
  • critically communicate about visual form
  • recognise how art has shaped the history of ideas and how artists have imaged and imagined politics, religion, identity and culture
History of Art

About the discipline

The History of Art discipline comprises some of Australia’s leading art historians whose expertise will suitably equip you for employment in art museums, commercial galleries, government or community arts programmes, as well as across a range of arts sector opportunities.

Student story

Molly Werner

Student story
Molly Werner

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.