The History of Art major introduces you to art within the whole spectrum of our visual experience.
Introduction
This major covers key moments in the development of a number of disciplines such as audio-visual arts, literature, film and new media, architecture, landscape architecture and the impact of other art and design practice on the history of cultures.
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Course description, features and facilities
Art is not a singular entity, but changes in time and space as the cultures that produce it change.
The History of Art major introduces you to art within the whole spectrum of our visual experience.
It encompasses studies in visual arts, literature, film and new media, architecture, landscape architecture and the impact of other art and design practice on the history of cultures.
Learning to experience aesthetic pleasure through emotional intuition and intellectual learning is an essential means of exploring the serious issues of past and present cultures from many parts of the world including Europe, America, Asia and Australia.
Students will attend weekly lectures which are supported by small group discussions and roundtables.
The Visual Arts discipline at UWA is unique in its focus on art history, and benefits from its grouping in the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts with other disciplines that represent a breadth and depth of relevant design experience. Students have the benefit of seeing exhibitions of art work in the Faculty's Cullity Gallery as well as the University's Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.
A number of Visual Arts staff members are practising artists and bring their experience to bear both in the History of Art major and also in art practice units that may be taken alongside history units.
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Student profile
Student profile – Blake Chitty
Having been interested in the Arts for some years prior to starting at UWA, I was naturally attracted to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Unsure of the exact path my studies would pave for me I gradually began to carve my way through various fields including Philosophy, Modern History, English and Film Studies- all of which were engaging and interesting. I soon developed a passion and enthusiasm for History of Art and this eventually became my major. For me, History of Art offers the most glorious combination of all the humanities disciplines. By exploring the visual world through philosophical, historical, theoretical and cultural frameworks, it’s essentially a study of humanity, both past and present. History of Art is not limited to the study of painting but also includes film, photography, performance and installation art, new media and the visual culture of everyday life. The course encourages intellectual debate and has developed my critical and analytical skills. The nature and structure of the major has allowed me to explore a range of topics, from 17th Century Art and Architecture through to Contemporary Aesthetic Theory. My studies culminated in a six month Curatorial Internship at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, where I worked with some of WA's leading curators and artists. With my major in History of Art, I now feel equipped to pursue a career within the Visual Arts. I have thoroughly enjoyed my studies at UWA as they've given me the freedom to engage with a wide range of interests and allowed me the opportunity to develop my own, unique understanding of visual culture and the art world.
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Structure
UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.
As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.
You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.
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Career opportunities
A major in History of Art equips you for a range of employment options including work as a:
- Curator
- Gallery or Museum Administrator
- Art Historian
- Conservator
Working in:
- Galleries and museums
- Art education
- Film and television production
- Libraries
- Visual resource companies
- Auction houses
- Government agencies (e.g. for public art schemes or heritage management)
- Publishing
- Antiquarian book trading
- Art investment
I want to be a…
This course could lead to becoming a:
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Further study opportunities
Graduates who complete a History of Art honours course to a sufficiently high standard may be admitted to the Master of Fine Arts in Curatorial Studies, which is a professionally recognised course.
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Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and International students.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Additional information
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
| Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) | 80 |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 |
Additional information
Please note: to study this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).
English competency
University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
| 12 |
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
| 60 |
French Baccalaureat
| 12 |
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
| 8 |
Chinese Gao Kao
| 525 |
German Abitur
| 3.17 |
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
| 60 |
International Baccalaureate
| 29 |
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
| 270 |
Norwegian Vitnemål
| 4.14 |
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
| 8 |
South African National Senior Certificate
| 4.60 |
Swedish Slutbetyg
| 15.70 |
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
| 63 |
Trinity College Foundation Program
| 85 |
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
| 12 |
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
| 66 |
These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.
If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications
you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.
English competency
To be eligible for admission to a program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and International students.
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- Fees
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.
First semester entry
Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.
Closing dates:
- On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
- The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
- Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
- Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.
Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Second semester entry
Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.
Closing date:
After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Fees
$5648, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.
Information for
UWA Admissions Centre (M353)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Location
- UWA Map
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
- 1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
- Fax
- (+61 8) 6488 1226
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Opening hours
- Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
First semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
Closing dates:
- Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
- All other courses - 1 December 2011
You must also:
If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.
Second semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
Closing date:
You must also:
If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.
Information for
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
- About UWA
- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses
- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus
- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.
