Studies & Degrees in Art History
Art History Study Programs
Art history is the study of works of art and architecture in their historical context. Students learn to describe and analyse paintings, sculpture, buildings, prints, photography and other visual media, and to explain why they were made, for whom and with what meaning. Binghamton University sums up the two sides of the discipline: works of art are studied as arrangements of shape, space and colour, and as cultural objects with a history and a function in their societies.
The subject belongs to the humanities. It is closely linked to history, archaeology, literature, philosophy and heritage management.
What students learn
Most programmes combine survey courses by period with courses on method and theory:
- Periods: ancient and medieval art, early modern art (Renaissance and Baroque), and modern and contemporary art
- Regions: European and American art, and the art of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and other regions
- Methods: formal analysis, iconography, techniques and materials, and the history of the discipline
- Applied subjects: cultural heritage, museum studies, curating and the art market
The bachelor's degree at the Universidad de Oviedo, for example, includes subjects such as Historia de los Estilos Artísticos, Análisis y Técnicas de la Obra de Arte and Historia y Concepto de Patrimonio Cultural. At Northwestern University, the major includes a seminar on art historical methods, courses from at least three of four time periods and four of six regional categories, and one practical course in art making or design.
Visits to museums, monuments and archives are part of the training. A reading knowledge of other languages is useful for research.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree in Spain. Art history is an official bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits. At the Universidad de Oviedo, the Grado en Historia del Arte lasts four academic years, is taught on campus in Spanish and English, and offers 60 places. Its 240 credits are divided into 132 compulsory credits, 60 of basic training, 42 optional and a 6-credit final project.
- Bachelor's degree in other countries. In the United States, art history is a major within a Bachelor of Arts. Northwestern University requires 12 department courses for the major. Binghamton University offers a BA in Art History with two tracks: art history, and architecture and urban studies. In Greece, Deree – The American College of Greece offers a four-year BA (Hons) in Art History validated by The Open University, UK.
- Master's degree and doctorate. An official master's degree in Spain has 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Binghamton University offers an MA and a PhD in Art History, and a combined route to a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years. A master's degree is the usual step towards museum and research careers.
- Study abroad and short courses. ISI Florence offers art history courses for a semester or a summer session, with transferable university credit and classes held in the city's museums and monuments.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 233 schools for art history. The United States has the most, with 108, followed by Spain with 31, the United Kingdom with 19 and Canada with 13. France and Italy have 6 each and Germany has 5.
In Spain, the list includes public and private universities, among them the Universidad de Oviedo, the Universidad de Cádiz and the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona. Not all of them offer a full degree in art history, so check each university's own list of degrees. Teaching is mainly in Spanish. In the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada it is in English; examples from the list are Northwestern University in Evanston, the University of Southampton and Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Italy attracts many visiting students: ISI Florence and Galilei - Institute of Italian Language and Culture are both in Florence.
When choosing, it helps to compare the periods and regions a department covers, the museums and collections within reach, the languages required and the options for internships.
Careers
Art history graduates work in museums and galleries, heritage and conservation bodies, auction houses, publishing, teaching, cultural tourism and arts administration. Binghamton University lists curatorial practice, museum administration, museum education, art conservation, commercial galleries, auction houses, archives and historic preservation among the fields its graduates have entered.
Museum careers usually require postgraduate study. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), curators typically need a master's degree in art history, history, archaeology or museum studies, although small museums may accept a bachelor's degree. Museum technicians typically need a bachelor's degree. The sector is small: archivists, curators and museum workers held about 38,500 jobs in the United States in 2025, of which 14,200 were curators. Museums and historical sites employed 36% of them. The BLS projects employment growth of 4% from 2025 to 2035.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an art history degree take?
In Spain, the official bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits over four academic years, as at the Universidad de Oviedo. An official master's degree adds 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
Do I need to be able to draw or paint to study art history?
No. Art history is an academic subject based on analysis, research and writing. Some programmes include one practical course: Northwestern University, for example, requires one course in art making or design.
What jobs can I get with an art history degree?
Graduates work in museums, galleries, heritage, auction houses, publishing and teaching. In the United States, curators typically need a master's degree, according to the BLS.