Fine Art with Art History

Why study Fine Art with Art History at Aberystwyth?

• Benefit from the disciplined acquisition of technical expertise, and the formation of creative intelligence, combined in equal measures with an historical, critical, theoretical and contemporary awareness of art history and visual culture.
• Make a valued contribution to a close community of students and staff within a well-respected School of Art that was established in 1917.
• Gain access to excellent teaching facilities that include well-lit studios for painting, darkrooms, print workshops, a MacSuite, seminar rooms, lecture theatre, galleries and a museum all housed in a magnificent Grade II* listed building.
• Explore our internationally significant collection of fine and decorative art. As an Accredited Museum, the School runs its own galleries with some 20,000 paintings, drawings, prints and photographs dating from the fifteenth century to the present day.
• Learn from experienced staff who are internationally renowned artists, curators and art historians.
• Enjoy our close association with the university Arts Centre, that is one of the largest in the UK and a major venue for exhibitions by contemporary artists and designers.
• Benefit from unrivalled access to the nearby National Library of Wales, one of only five copyright libraries in the United Kingdom, with over six million books, maps, prints and manuscripts, and a fine collection of paintings and works on paper.
• Participate in our study visits within the UK or abroad (destinations have included Madrid, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, New York, Vienna, Barcelona, Venice, Moscow, St Petersburg, Florence, Budapest and Lisbon).
• Enter the degree scheme directly from school or from a foundation course.

Our Staff

Our teaching staff are practicing professionals. As exhibiting artists, publishing researchers and curators, they provide an informed and stimulating learning environment. This ensures that the skills you learn at the School of Art are practice orientated, relevant and applicable.

For further information, visit our individual staff profiles.

What career opportunities are there for me on completion of this degree?

As well as establishing careers as professional practicing artists, with significant exhibition profiles, our graduates have become employees of:

• Design Council;
• Arts Council;
• Tate Gallery;
• Victoria and Albert Museum;
• Royal Academy of Arts;
• Carlton Television;
• The Observer;
• Saachi Gallery;
• Damien Hirst;
• BBC;
• Viz magazine;
• Royal Collections Trust.

Some of our graduates are, for example, currently:

• University Professors;
• Secondary school teachers;
• Art gallery managers;
• Museum or exhibition curators;
• Arts journalists and researchers;
• Children’s book illustrators;
• Photographers;
• Portrait painters;
• Graphic designers;
• Art directors in publishing;
• Television presenters;
• Medical illustrators;
• Art therapists;
• Animators;
• Easel painting and works on paper conservators;
• Postgraduate study can lead to further career options in teaching and lecturing. Each year a significant number of our graduates enrol on a Master of Arts degree scheme.

How does the degree prepare me for my career?

You will gain skills that are highly valued by employers, preparing you to:

• Conceive creative solutions for specific problems;
• Research, evaluate and organise information;
• Clearly communicate both in writing and verbally;
• Work independently and with others;
• Manage your time;
• Become self-motivated and disciplined.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

What do our applicants think of us?

Here are some of the anonymous comments of applicants who came to the School of Art during a 2014 Visiting Day:

"The tour was very interesting and the building beautiful. For me, after finding out about the course and looking around the building there was no choice in the matter where I would wish to study."

"Very well organised and structured, the best we’ve been to."

"Extremely impressed by the building, facilities and teaching philosophy."

"There is a lovely atmosphere within the department."

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Aberystwyth and look forward to coming back to see more and hopefully study with you."

"You are by far the best university I have visited."

"I hadn’t been to Aberystwyth before but found it a really beautiful town. The lecture before the interview was informative. Talking to current students was very useful and they were helpful and open."

"Enjoyed the visit. Very welcoming people. Liked the department emphasis on History of Art and emphasis on fundamental skills"

"Despite my very short time there I feel I have a clear idea of the art course and the University."

"It was very useful to have the talk prior to interview and helped me to understand what possibilities I have after university. The interview itself was an enjoyable experience and discussing my work and gaining the opinions of the interviewers was not only motivating – it’s left me really looking forward to coming to University."

"The staff were very welcoming, friendly and highly informative. They couldn’t have done more to help which backed up my already firm intention of coming to Aberystwyth."