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Art history courses

Understand the story of humanity by exploring art movements of the past

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Art history

Art has been used as an expression of human emotion for centuries. Artists have long sought to interpret what they see in the world by creating imagery, performance, sculpture and installation pieces. Studying art history helps us make sense of their work and our world more broadly.

Whether you want to study art and fashion, Aboriginal art, contemporary, modern, or classical art, there’s an art history course sure to interest you. Discover the short courses, standalone subjects and full qualifications you can study with leading universities through Open Universities Australia.

Explore art history courses
Classic painting

Discover art history courses

Online art history subjects and short courses

Curtin University

Art and Fashion

UndergraduateCUR-VIS29

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 25 Nov 2024, 02 Jun 2025, 01 Dec 2025
Murdoch University

Visual Evidence and the Art of History

UndergraduateMUR-HIS306

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 24 Feb 2025
University of South Australia

Narrating Objects, Art and Archives

UndergraduateUSA-HUMS3052

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 07 Apr 2025
La Trobe University
Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 28 Jul 2025
View all subjects

Online art history degrees

Griffith University

Bachelor of Arts

UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG

Innovators, communicators and creators start here!

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Art History
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Literature
  • Public Relations
  • Screen and Media Studies
  • Sociology
Charles Sturt University

Bachelor of Arts

UndergraduateCSU-ART-DEG

Prepare for life and work with the ultimate skill set

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Curtin University

Undergraduate Certificate in Art History

UndergraduateCUR-ART-CTF

Glimpses of the history of art and design

Study method
100% online
Duration
6 months full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
La Trobe University

Diploma of Arts

UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP

Start with the subjects you’re passionate about

Study method
100% online
Duration
1 year full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Arts stream
  • Global studies stream
  • Politics, philosophy and economics stream
  • Visual arts stream
View all bachelor degrees

Discover 44 ways to study art history with leading Australian universities.

Explore art history courses

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Art history study FAQs

What is art history?

Art is everywhere. From cave paintings to the works of Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet and Renoir to contemporary pieces by artists like Tracey Emin, art offers a window into a time, place, and social context. Art history specifically examines art of the past, how it shapes contemporary art, and what it tells us about past societies.

Much can be learned about history by examining the art that emerged from that period, a skill you’ll hone in your art history studies.

What do you learn in an art history course?

Art history courses cover a wide range of topics. As an art history student, you’ll learn to appreciate art's historical, social and cultural contexts.

As a graduate of one of the many art history courses available through Open Universities Australia, you’ll learn to critique art, reflect on art, and understand and communicate the context of particular art pieces. Many art history courses include elements of art curation and collection management, a fascinating field in itself.

What you learn in the specific course you choose will depend on whether art history is the focus of your course, your major, or a small component of it. What kind of course best fits your circumstances depends on your motivations and future plans. If you’re not sure what course is best for you, get in touch with our team. We’re here to answer your questions about courses, enrolment, fees, and deadlines.

You’ll also improve essential soft skills like teamwork, critical analysis, clear communication, and work ethic.

How long is an art history course?

It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide:

CourseDuration
Single subject10-18 weeks
Short course10-18 weeks
Undergraduate certificate6 months (if full time)
Diploma1 year (if full time) 
Associate degree2 years (if full time) 
Bachelor degree3 years (if full time)
Graduate certificate6 months (if full time)
Graduate diploma1 year (if full time)
Masters degree2 years (if full time)

If you study a degree in art history through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

Why should I study art history?

If you love art, you might be wondering how you can begin a career in the arts. An online art history course is a great place to start. Art history is a fascinating field, bringing together elements of sociology and history with an appreciation for artistic practice throughout the centuries.

If you want to take a peek into the world of art history without committing to an entire course, consider single subject study. Single subject study allows you to get a feel for a study area or upskill to further your interests or career.

Why should I study art history online?

There are many lifestyle advantages to studying online. You can manage your study load flexibly and watch lectures and tutorials from the comfort of home.

This makes it easier to fit in your other commitments, whether they be work, family, or anything else.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements 
    We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
  • You have total control over how you study
    Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
  • You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
    Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
  • We’ll help you navigate the university world
    Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
What jobs can you get with an art history degree?

While at first glance art history may seem like a very niche study area, it opens graduates up to a wide range of career opportunities. As an art history graduate you could explore the world of arts journalism and writing, bringing the world of the arts to the public, or you might prefer to move into education, where you could inspire a whole new generation to care for and appreciate the arts.

Graduates of art history work across many interesting and diverse fields, including:

  • Art history
  • Art practice
  • Curation
  • Arts administration
  • Art therapy
  • Arts journalism and writing
  • Cultural policy development
  • Event management
  • Education (with further study in the field)
  • Museum and gallery collection management
How do I know which art history course is right for me?

Whether you’re interested in art history as a career or want to study for personal interest and enjoyment, there’s an online art history course available through Open Universities Australia for you.

Book a one-on-one phone consultation with our friendly team of student advisors to discuss how you can find the art history course that suits your circumstances best.

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

How do I enrol?

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

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Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

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