Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Art History

BA/BSc (NFQ Level 8)
I am an
Study Abroad
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Contact UsContact Us

Art History is the subject for you if you are interested in any or all of the diverse aspects of visual culture, artistic creativity and the role of imagery within society. For millennia, the beliefs, aspirations and fears of humankind have been expressed through the production of objects.

Art History interrogates these objects, situating them within historical, stylistic and aesthetic frameworks and contexts. The inherent interdisciplinary nature of Art History enables dynamic connections with a broad range of subjects across the Arts and Humanities and the Social Sciences.

About This Course

Art History is the subject for you if you are interested in any or all of the diverse aspects of visual culture, artistic creativity and the role of imagery within society. For millennia, the beliefs, aspirations and fears of humankind have been expressed through the production of objects.

Art History interrogates these objects, situating them within historical, stylistic and aesthetic frameworks and contexts. The inherent interdisciplinary nature of Art History enables dynamic connections with a broad range of subjects across the Arts and Humanities and the Social Sciences.

Our teaching programme offers a dynamic curriculum that enables students to examine the art, architecture and visual culture of different ages, from ancient times to the present day, whether traditional or new, nontraditional media. Students are encouraged to develop a range of critical, historical and historiographical modes of inquiry so as to comprehend our visual and artistic cultures.

First Year

First year modules introduce students to the key periods, artists and movements of European art and architecture from antiquity through to the birth of modern art in the early 20th century. Typical modules include: Art History in the Making • Antiquity to High Renaissance • Late Renaissance to Romanticism • The Modern World 1848-1914

Second & Final Years

Students have the opportunity to develop an increasingly in-depth visual and critical understanding of the history of art, crossing over boundaries of media, chronology and geography.

Typical modules include: The Modern to the Contemporary • European Architecture • Medieval Art and Architecture: characteristics and influences • From Medieval to Modern • History of Photography • Early Islamic Art & Architecture • Art/ Resistance/Activism • Georgian Dublin • Genre Painting in the Age of Vermeer • Women & Modern Architecture • From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics

Students attend lectures, tutorials and seminars, and undertake independent study. We have a strong commitment to small-group learning and gallery, museum and field trips are integrated into the curriculum.

A combination of end-of-trimester examinations and continuous assessment are used. In your final year, you may also prepare a minor dissertation.

Study Art History

Celtic Civilisation Irish/Gaeilge
Drama Studies Irish Studies
English Italian
Film Studies Latin
French Mathematics
German Music
Geography Philosophy
Greek Spanish
History Statistics
Study Art History (BSc Social Sciences) as a Minor with one of the following:
Archaeology Sociology

Opportunities to study abroad may include:
 

  • Universität Wien, Austria
  • Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, France
  • Università degli Studi di Roma III, Italy
  • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
  • Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
  • University of Lund, Sweden
  • University of Nottingham, UK
  • University of California, USA
  • University of Otago, New Zealand
  • Waseda University, Japan

Graduates develop key skills from critical thinking and writing to effective visual analysis, that have diverse applications and can lead to employment opportunities in: Museums and Galleries, Cultural and Heritage Sector, Education and Academia, Digital Media, Journalism, Publishing, Auction Houses, Archives.Art History has multiple applications. We equip graduates with the skills needed to reflect on the role of the visual arts within society and to evaluate the images and environments surrounding them.

Graduates are prepared to undertake graduate study in a range of areas, including two taught Masters degrees at UCD: MA Art History, Collections & Curating and MA Cultural Policy & Arts Management. Graduates are also prepared to pursue doctoral research.

UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy
p. +353 1 716 8162
e. helena.mccann@ucd.ie


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
AH10160 Art History in the Making Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students can progress to Stage 2 having passed AH10160 and a minimum of one other Art History module offered at Stage 1
AH10260 An Introduction to European Art 1: Antiquity to High Renaissance Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students can progress to Stage 2 having passed AH10160 and a minimum of one other Art History module offered at Stage 1
AH10150 The Modern World 1848-1914 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students can progress to Stage 2 having passed AH10160 and a minimum of one other Art History module offered at Stage 1
AH10270 An Introduction to European Art 2: Late Renaissance to Romanticism Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
AH20200 The Modern to the Contemporary Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
AH20230 European Architecture Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select a minimum of three Stage 2 option modules.
Students may take additional option modules in place of electives.
AH20220 History of Photography Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select a minimum of three Stage 2 option modules.
Students may take additional option modules in place of electives.
AH20280 Queer Art Histories Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select a minimum of three Stage 2 option modules.
Students may take additional option modules in place of electives.
AH20320 Age of Titian Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select a minimum of three Stage 2 option modules.
Students may take additional option modules in place of electives.
AH20250 Early Islamic Art and Architecture Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select a minimum of three Stage 2 option modules.
Students may take additional option modules in place of electives.
AH20300 Medieval Art and Architecture: characteristics and influences Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select a minimum of three Stage 2 option modules.
Students may take additional option modules in place of electives.
AH20310 Art History Field Trip Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
AH30010 Writings on Art Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Autumn trimester.
AH30590 Woman & Modern Architecture Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Autumn trimester.
AH30630 Genre in the Age of Vermeer Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - B)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Spring trimester.
AH30600 From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - B)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Spring trimester.
AH30650 Art/Resistance/Activism Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Option to use electives) Students might consider using their electives to take further Stage 3 optional 5-credit modules, AH30080 and AH30670. Students interested in AH30080 (Dissertation module) should contact the Module Coordinator before registering to this module.
AH30080 Art History Dissertation Module Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Option to use electives) Students might consider using their electives to take further Stage 3 optional 5-credit modules, AH30080 and AH30670. Students interested in AH30080 (Dissertation module) should contact the Module Coordinator before registering to this module.
AH30540 Georgian Dublin Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AH30010 Writings on Art Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Autumn trimester.
AH30590 Woman & Modern Architecture Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Autumn trimester.
AH30630 Genre in the Age of Vermeer Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - B)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Spring trimester.
AH30600 From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - B)1 of:
Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Spring trimester.
AH30650 Art/Resistance/Activism Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Option to use electives) Students might consider using their electives to take further Stage 3 optional 5-credit modules, AH30080 and AH30670. Students interested in AH30080 (Dissertation module) should contact the Module Coordinator before registering to this module.
AH30080 Art History Dissertation Module Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - C) Min 0 of:
(Option to use electives) Students might consider using their electives to take further Stage 3 optional 5-credit modules, AH30080 and AH30670. Students interested in AH30080 (Dissertation module) should contact the Module Coordinator before registering to this module.
AH30540 Georgian Dublin Spring  5

SDG4 SDG 5 SDG 10 SDG 11 SDG 16 SDG 17

 

By joining the UCD College of Arts and Humanities you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable, just and equitable future. Our courses are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen arts and humanities subjects. Our research and teaching and learning connect with many of the SDGs, most notably:

  • SDG 4: Quality Education -Promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

  • SDG 5: Gender Equality - Advances gender equality by addressing social norms, histories, and cultural practices that contribute to gender disparities.

  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Encourages understanding and action against social, economic, and political inequalities.

  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Enhances cultural understanding and heritage preservation, fostering sustainable communities.

  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions through critical inquiry into human rights, ethics, and governance.

  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Encourages global partnerships and collaboration by fostering international understanding and dialogue.

Our programmes equip students with critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness, essential for addressing complex global challenges.

Art History was perfect for me because I wanted to study some form of History and I had an interest in the arts and visual culture. The wide variety of field trips to art galleries and museums constantly encourage us to genuinely experience the art we learned about in lecture halls and tutorials. The abundance of guest speakers, such as artists, exposed us to the different views and opinions in the art world, as well as introducing us to the contemporary artists working in Ireland today. Anyone who enjoys not only art and architecture, but also the story behind the artist and their creations, will definitely enjoy this course.

Justyna Kaczorowska, Student

Art History was perfect for me because I wanted to study some form of History and I had an interest in the arts and visual culture. The wide variety of field trips to art galleries and museums constantly encourage us to genuinely experience the art we learned about in lecture halls and tutorials. The abundance of guest speakers, such as artists, exposed us to the different views and opinions in the art world, as well as introducing us to the contemporary artists working in Ireland today. Anyone who enjoys not only art and architecture, but also the story behind the artist and their creations, will definitely enjoy this course.

Justyna Kaczorowska, Student

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Art History:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
BAU5
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
showAudience-audienceInt
SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
showAudience-audienceEU
DN520
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
showAudience-audienceEU
DN700
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Art History:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
BAU5
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.
showAudience-audienceInt
SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.