COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Art History program at Aberystwyth University offers a comprehensive study of art from historical, cultural, and practical perspectives over three years. In the first year, students build a strong foundation by exploring key themes such as landscape, the human body, and artistic developments in the long eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, while optional modules allow engagement with school collections and early photography. In the second year, the focus shifts to modern and contemporary art, including early twentieth-century modernisms and postmodernism, alongside preparation for the dissertation and professional practice skills. Optional modules allow students to specialize in topics such as Welsh art, British illustration since 1800, documentary photography, or the role of museums in shaping knowledge and meaning. The final year centers on the dissertation, enabling students to undertake independent research, develop analytical and writing skills, and demonstrate mastery of art historical methods. Optional modules in the third year provide opportunities to explore curatorial practice, further engage with Welsh art, revisit British illustration and documentary photography, or examine impressionism and the broader cultural impact of museums. Across all three years, the degree combines historical knowledge with practical engagement and critical thinking, equipping students with transferable research, analytical, and professional skills that prepare them for diverse careers in education, publishing, journalism, curating, and the broader creative industries.