Art History Schools and Programs in Australia

Art History Studies in Australia

Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne, Australia

Art history studies works of art, architecture and visual culture in their historical and social context: who made them, for whom, how they were seen and how they are collected and shown today. In Australia it is usually taught within a broader arts degree, often together with art theory, curatorship and museum studies, and always in English.

SpainExchange lists three universities in Australia for art history: the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, the University of Melbourne and Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

How art history degrees are organised

Australian degrees sit within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the national system for tertiary education, which has 10 levels. According to Study Australia, the government's official study portal, a bachelor's degree typically takes 3 years (4 years with honours), a postgraduate degree 1 to 2 years and a doctorate about 3 years. The academic year usually starts in March.

Art history is rarely a separate bachelor's degree. More often it is a major or stream inside a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Fine Arts. UNSW is an example:

• The Bachelor of Fine Arts is a 3-year degree of 144 units of credit, taught at UNSW's Art & Design campus
• Students specialise in one of four streams: Animation & Moving Image, Art Theory, Music or Visual Arts
• Courses deal with the role of museums, galleries and cultural institutions and with the histories and theories of exhibition practice, as preparation for curatorial work
• The Bachelor of Arts lets students focus on one, two or three study areas across the humanities, creative arts and social sciences

After a bachelor's degree, students can take an honours year, a coursework master's degree (for example in curatorship or art administration) or a research degree. Each university sets its own options, so it is best to compare course pages directly.

Admission and language

Entry requirements, including the English level, vary by course and are set by each university. International applicants generally need a school-leaving certificate equivalent to Australian Year 12 for a bachelor's degree, or a completed bachelor's degree for postgraduate study. UNSW states that it requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment; an Australian Year 12 qualification counts as proof, while other applicants show their level separately.

Courses for students on a student visa must be registered on CRICOS, the official government register of providers and courses for overseas students. Checking a course there is a simple way to confirm it is open to international students.

Student visa, costs and funding

Most international students need a Student visa (subclass 500). The process, according to Study Australia:

• Apply to the university first; the visa application follows once the university issues a confirmation of enrolment (CoE)
• From 1 July 2026, the visa fee starts at AUD 2,500 per application
• The visa covers the length of the course, up to five years
• Students must keep adequate health insurance for their whole stay
• Work is limited to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session

Tuition fees for international students vary by university, city and programme, so each university's own fee page is the reference. Scholarships include the government-funded Australia Awards, for students from selected developing countries, and the Research Training Program, which supports domestic and international students in research master's and doctoral degrees.

Careers

Art history graduates work mainly in museums, galleries and the wider cultural sector. UNSW lists roles in cultural institutions and heritage such as exhibition coordinator, education program coordinator, gallery manager and museum manager. Teaching is another option, with further study. Australia has major collections, such as the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, and, according to Study Australia, almost 45,000 people work in the creative and performing arts industry.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to study art history in Australia?

A bachelor's degree usually takes 3 years, or 4 with honours. A postgraduate degree takes 1 to 2 years and a doctorate about 3 years.

Can I study art history as a separate degree?

Usually it is a major or stream within a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts. At UNSW, for example, art theory is one of four streams in the Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Can I work while studying art history in Australia?

Yes. A Student visa allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight while the course is in session.

What jobs can I get with an art history degree?

Typical roles are in museums, galleries and heritage organisations, for example as an exhibition coordinator, education program coordinator or gallery manager.