History of Art A level
Qualification: GCE A level in History of Art
Exam Board & Specification Code: Pearson; 9HT0; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language and 4 in English Literature.
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: 2 written exams
BHASVIC Department: Humanities
What will I study?
History of Art is a fascinating course that offers the opportunity to explore our global cultural heritage. The course is built on three key elements: Visual Analysis; Themes and Periods. You begin with a course in visual literacy that acquaints you with the essential concepts, skills and vocabulary to analyse fine art, sculpture and architecture. Themes are broad-based investigations into artistic developments and connections between movements and periods across time and space. You explore works in relation to two of the three following themes: War, Nature and Identities. Finally, you focus on two artistic periods, for example, the Renaissance in Italy or Modernism in Europe and research in detail the relationships between key artists, concepts and their context. Throughout the course, you will learn how to analyse and make critical judgments about art while also building an understanding of the significance and contribution of key individual artists and the relationship between art, technology, society and politics across the entire world.
Is this course right for me?
History of Art is an excellent option for any student who is interested in visual culture and the world around them. It stands as a marvellous complement to practical visual arts subjects but would be of equal interest to English, History, Media, and Sociology or Politics students. It is analytical in nature and is assessed by means of two written examination papers. Lessons are seminar-based and always involve discussion of themes or key works. You will be encouraged to undertake significant individual research via reference works, films, television programmes or some of the huge range of podcasts and resources available via the internet. Moreover, we will have many opportunities for visits to public galleries, museums and installations.
Where next?
The cultural sector in the UK is crucial to the economic health of the nation and provides a massive range of job opportunities, including art management, advertising, PR, curatorship, publishing, design and education. Studying History of Art can open many doors directly in to these careers. Perhaps equally important are the widely transferable skills it fosters that can apply to an even broader range of careers in business, law, journalism and the media. We live in a visual world and people with the ability to process, analyse and re-present ideas are highly prized.
