Art history courses
Help me choose a courseIntroduction 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 coursesDiscover art history courses
Online art history subjects and short courses
Undergraduate
USA-HUMS1058100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 01 Apr 2024, 16 Sep 2024
Undergraduate
LTU-ART2002100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 29 Jul 2024
Undergraduate
LTU-ART2001100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Undergraduate
LTU-ART1001100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Online art history degrees
Undergraduate
GRF-ART-DEGInnovators, communicators and creators start here!
Develop critical thinking, writing, and research skills in demand across all industries. You can follow your passion with majors and electives that interest you. Develop connections through peer learning, networking, and work experience.
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
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,
Undergraduate
CUR-ART-CTFGlimpses of the history of art and design
Gain a head start in fine arts studies with this introduction to art history’s key ideas and events. You’ll explore Australian art, modernism, and issues in contemporary art. Build your appreciation of art and design and work towards a fine arts degree.
100% online
6 months full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Undergraduate
LAT-ART-DIPStart with the subjects you’re passionate about
Follow your interests on this humanities pathway into university. Choices range from languages to history, politics, and philosophy. Pick up important skills like critical thinking and collaboration. Shape your future in the arts and social science.
100% online
1 year full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Undergraduate
USQ-CIV-DEGCreate, innovate, and adapt your visual art
Work with the forms of art you can see. You’ll build your technical skills and explore new media. Dive into historical and cultural concepts. Become a well-rounded visual artist ready for both creative work and arts administration roles.
Online & on-campus
3 years full time or part time equivalent
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Art history study FAQs
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.
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.
It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide:
Course Duration Single subject 10-18 weeks Short course 10-18 weeks Undergraduate certificate 6 months (if full time) Diploma 1 year (if full time) Associate degree 2 years (if full time) Bachelor degree 3 years (if full time) Graduate certificate 6 months (if full time) Graduate diploma 1 year (if full time) Masters degree 2 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.
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.
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.
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.
- You can enrol without entry requirements
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
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.
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.
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.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
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