Fine Art with History of Art

Fine art and history of art is a combination that puts artistic practice and critical understanding into direct and productive dialogue. Making art without thinking about what art means, who makes it, and how it functions within culture is impoverished; studying art history without the experience of making is equally one-sided. This degree at the University of Leeds holds both together, allowing your developing practice as an artist to be informed by deep historical and theoretical engagement, while your study of art history is enlivened by what you know from working with materials, processes, and ideas yourself.

You will pursue an independent art practice across three years, working in the media and forms that engage you most, while also exploring practices and interpretations of art across a wide range of cultures and historical periods. The history of art strand places emphasis on the interconnections between art and society, building an understanding of the wider frameworks, economic, political, ideological, and social, that shape what art gets made, how it is displayed, and how it is interpreted. The programme includes a sandwich placement year and a year abroad, providing professional experience in an arts context and international exposure, alongside embedded work placement opportunities.

Graduates from fine art with history of art programmes pursue careers across the visual arts, cultural, and creative sectors. Roles as practising artists, curators, gallery educators, arts writers and critics, art advisers, auction house specialists, and public arts administrators are all common destinations. The combination of practical and critical skills is also valued in communications, publishing, heritage, and design.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in fine art, curating, art history, or arts management, or undertake further training in education for those who want to teach.