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Art History Schools and Programs in London, The United Kingdom

About Art History Schools and Programs in London, The United Kingdom

London lets students of art history study in English with national museums, galleries and auction houses close at hand. Our directory lists four schools in London under this subject: SOAS University of London, University College London (UCL), the University of London and Ashbourne College. Each fits a different stage of study.

How art history degrees work in the UK

In England, a bachelor's degree with honours, such as a BA (Hons), is a level 6 qualification; a master's degree such as an MA is level 7, and a doctorate (PhD) is level 8. A levels, the usual school-leaving qualification for university entry, are level 3. Art history is normally studied as a BA in History of Art, followed by a taught MA (one year full time at SOAS).

Where to study art history in London

  • SOAS University of London teaches art history in its Department of History of Art and Archaeology, which covers the arts, archaeology, architecture and material culture of Asia, Africa and the Middle East from ancient times to the present. It offers programmes from BA to postgraduate diploma, MA and PhD. The MA History of Art and Archaeology lasts one year full time (or longer part time), starts in September and includes field trips, museum and storage visits and talks by curators and artists. The SOAS-Alphawood MA in Asian Art can start in September, January or May.
  • University College London (UCL), founded in 1826, is a multidisciplinary university in central and east London that includes art history among its subjects.
  • University of London is a federal university made up of independent member institutions, of which SOAS is one.
  • Ashbourne College is an independent sixth-form college in Kensington that prepares students for A levels, a possible route into a UK art history degree.

Admission and costs

Applications for undergraduate degrees go through UCAS, including for international students; at SOAS, UCAS opens in September for entry the following year. For SOAS's MA History of Art and Archaeology, the minimum is a 2:2 degree or international equivalent: for example 3.5/5.0 for a four-year Colombian licenciatura or 7.5/10 for a Mexican título de licenciado. SOAS lists fees of £12,965 for home students and £25,320 for international students for this MA, and £26,000 for the SOAS-Alphawood MA in Asian Art in 2026-27.

Student visa

International students usually need a Student visa. Applicants must be 16 or over, hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor, show English at CEFR level B2 for degree-level study and have enough money: £1,529 per month (for up to nine months) for courses in London, in addition to course fees. The visa costs £558 from outside the UK, and the earliest application date is six months before the course starts. After graduation, the Graduate visa allows a stay of two years if the application is made on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months from 1 January 2027.

Careers

SOAS reports that its art history graduates work in museums and galleries as directors, curators, exhibition and education officers, conservators and registrars, and also in auction houses, libraries and archives, universities and arts charities.

Frequently asked questions

How long is an art history MA in London?

At SOAS, the MA History of Art and Archaeology lasts one year full time, starting in September; part-time study is also possible.

How much money do I need for a Student visa in London?

Besides the course fees, you must show £1,529 per month for up to nine months for a course in London.

Can I study non-Western art history in London?

Yes. SOAS's Department of History of Art and Archaeology specialises in the art of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, from BA to PhD level.

How do I apply for an undergraduate art history degree?

Through UCAS, which opens in September for entry the following year; international students use the same system.