Art History Schools and Programs in Australia

Art History Studies in Australia

Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne, AustraliaArt History students with a desire to study abroad could not choose a better place to visit than Australia.  Officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, the island continent is the only continent on earth to be governed as a single country.  It is comprised of an enormous mainland, known simply as Australia; the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands, which together cover nearly 7.9 million kilometers of total land space, making the country the sixth-largest in the world in terms of area.  Australia is situated near a number of neighboring countries: New Zealand to the southeast, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the northeast, and Papa New Guinea, East Timor and Indonesia to the north; and its massive coastline is formed mainly by the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  Australia is a highly developed country and one of the world’s wealthiest nations, and its institutions of higher education are well-respected throughout the world for their overall quality.

Art History Education in Australia

Art History is an important area of study, one that can lead to curatorial careers in some of the world’s finest museums and galleries.  The program is offered at both the undergraduate and post-graduate level by many of Australia’s major colleges and universities, with most students continuing their education through the Master of Arts degree—seen as the minimum requirement for serious positions in the field.  One of the Australian universities offering Art History at the post-graduate level is Adelaide University.
 
The Master Degree program in Art History offered by Adelaide University is very unique and original, in that the university offers the program in conjunction with the Art Gallery of South Australia, and teaching revolves around the collections and exhibition program of the gallery.  This exciting approach for teaching and learning draws upon the expertise of the Gallery and the University of Adelaide instructors and the manner in which it is organized is both an Australian and international first.  Graduates of this highly-acclaimed program are now working in art institutions and galleries across the country and the world.
 
Courses in the MA Art History program are taught via hands-on sessions in the Gallery, which allow students the opportunity to research works of art up-close and learn how to best display them and the reasons for which they were acquired.  Students also have the opportunity to participate in public programs and exhibitions, often acting as tour guides with their newfound ability to fully describe each of the works and their significance.

Why Study Abroad in Australia

A study abroad program in Australia offers several advantages that appeal to most students:  great weather, stunning beaches, affordability and a high standard of living.  The major cities here are very vibrant, alive and cosmopolitan in every way, with friendly people of a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and numerous amenities and activities to keep students busy when they’re not hitting the books in the classroom or library.  Finally, there are the sights—sights and attractions like nowhere else in the world.  Students on winter, spring or summer break will have ample time to explore the various destinations which year after year collectively make Australia one of the top tourist destinations in the world.  Some of these Australian hotspots include:
 
Great Barrier Reef
 
Undeniably the best dive site in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is located in northeast Australia off the coast of Queensland.  The reef is so large it can be seen from outer space and consists of over 400 species of coral, and 1,500 varieties of sea life, including fish, dolphins, whales, turtles, rays, sea snakes and more.
 
Whitsundays
 
The renowned sail boats known as Whitsundays allow guests to visit some of the most spectacular islands in Australia, some of which remain uninhabited to this day.  Situated along the Queensland coast in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, these 74 islands offer incredible sightseeing opportunities, and on the larger islands, such as Hamilton Island, visitors can even take some time to shop or dine at one of the many restaurants during their tour.
 
Uluru Rock Formations
 
Located in Central Australia, the Uluru rock formations can be found in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.  This World Heritage Site, known locally as Uluru or Ayers Rock, is sacred to the Aboriginal people and consists of springs, caves and ancient paintings.  The formations are spectacular to see at sunset, when the rocks’ orange hue turns to a gleaming pink and red and then dramatically to a deep shade of purple.
 
Sydney Harbor Bridge
 
Last, but certainly not least, is the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  This 134-metreiconic bridge is perfect for the adrenaline junkie seeking to try his/her climbing ability and blow off some steam.  Designed as an arch-based bridge, this massive steel structure is noted in the internationally-popular Guinness Book of World Records as both the world’s tallest steel arch bridge and the world’s widest long-span bridge.  Daring visitors can choose between two guided yet very challenging climbs:  the Bridge Climb or the Discovery Climb, both of which last for nearly four hours—and worth every minute of it.