Undergraduate Certificate in the History of Art

Course details

Explore the voices, cultures and experiences behind art's global tapestry.

The part-time Certificate in the History of Art teaches students about the production and provenance of works of art in museums, as well as key skills such as how to view and describe works of art. Students are introduced to issues of display, value, collections, categories of art and its institutions. You learn about the different approaches to understand and interpret works of art, including key theories, methods and concepts.

The Certificate also provides a historical grounding, exploring the History of Art from c500 CE to the present, engaging with art in its global contexts. While the overall structure is historically linear, the thematic approach enables students to engage with themes and issues that build on each other and cut across space and time.   ​

Taught through a combination of online digital learning and in-person teaching, this course supports a student-focused and transformative learning environment.

Online info session: Tuesday 21 Oct 2025, 13:00-13:45 BST 

Join us online for 45 minutes to learn more about our Certificate in the History of Art. Led by Course Director, Dr Sean Willcock, this will be your chance to learn more about the programme and have your questions answered by our friendly team.

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Discover more about the course from our Academic Team

Quick links

Who is this course for?

Do you have an interest in art history and ideas? Do you have an openness towards studying a range of historical art forms and grappling with critical debates about meaning? This course is for anyone with an enthusiasm for art history and a high degree of motivation.

You do not need any formal qualification or previous study of the history of art. However, you will need the necessary language skills, a determination to succeed; and sufficient time available to devote to class time and private study.

What will you gain?

  • Get up to speed with the latest debates and methods to interpret works of art, particularly in the areas of politics, society, gender and identity, material culture and decolonising practices.  

  • Gain a global perspective of the History of Art, investigating this rich and dynamic discipline including multiple historic periods, regions and art forms from the Italian Renaissance and French Impressionism to the contact zones of India and the Mediterranean. 

  • Exchange ideas and develop questions with a group of like-minded peers sharing experience and knowledge in a range of history of art contexts. 

  • Gain practical knowledge and develop your interpretative skills through museum and gallery visits in Oxford and London, offering you a rare chance to gain first-hand experience of the visual arts.  

How you will study

In-person elements

Students will meet in person three times per term, on select Fridays. These days will be from 10am-5.30pm, usually consisting of two classroom sessions and a visit to an art collection or site in Oxford. Teaching will take place at Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA.

One Saturday per term is dedicated to gallery visits and will be in and outside of Oxford, such as trips to collections in London or heritage houses.

Online elements

There are seven online units per term, along with online tutorials.

Online asynchronous (self-paced) instruction will include reading materials (materials in the Virtual Learning Environment and set texts from journal articles, textbooks, exhibition catalogues, and books), videos, forum activities, and online exercises, as well as independent study such as essay preparation and research. Some online units will take the form of case studies, allowing students to study in-depth around a particular topic, while others will offer theoretical or methodological approaches that can be employed across periods and regions. 

Students will be assigned a personal tutor for the year. Students will have four hours of online synchronous (live) tutorials for the entire year (three hours of small group tutorials – one hour per term, and two 30-minute one-to-ones with the tutor). Tutorials in small tutor groups will address essay writing, interpreting feedback, follow-up on online learning units, student presentations or student-led discussion. In addition, students can schedule Teams or in-person office hours with the Course Director.

You will need to spend about 8–10 hours in home study per week in term time.

The course in detail

Course structure

Year 1

  1. The first term (Michaelmas) covers Looking at Art: Ways of Seeing;
  2. The second term (Hilary) covers What is Art?;
  3. The final term (Trinity) covers Art in the World.

The first year of the Certificate will introduce students to the key skills in the History of Art. The first term addresses visual literacy skills, teaching students how to look at works of art, the critical vocabulary they will need to conduct visual analyses, and how works of art are made.

The second term considers what makes a work of art, addressing issues of display, value, collections, and categories of art and its institutions.

The final term considers the interpretive models to understand and interpret works of art, including key theories, methods and concepts, with case studies drawn from the Italian Renaissance and French Impressionism.

Year 2

  1. The first term (Michaelmas) covers Classical and Medieval Worlds;
  2. The second term (Hilary) covers Renaissances;
  3. The final term (Trinity) covers Modernities.

The second year of the Certificate in History of Art will provide students with an historical survey of the History of Art c. 500CE to the present. Although predominantly focused on Western Art History the course also engages with art in its global contexts. Students will begin by studying the late Classical and Medieval Worlds, then proceed to study the early modern world and finally end the course with the Modern and Contemporary period.

Each term’s title is in the plural, which points to the plurality of experience of these concepts in different places and times. While the overall structure is historically linear, the thematic approach will enable you to engage with themes and issues that build on each other and cut across space and time

Assessment

There will be a number of formative assessments. This is to help build confidence in students’ learning journey (particularly those students who have been out of education for some time), while online forums and exercises will also help students test their knowledge without a bearing on their marks.

Year 1 

Formative:  

  • Task 1: Formative Visual Analysis (500 words)  
  • Task 2: Formative Primary Source Analysis (500 words)  
  • Task 3: Formative Writing Labels (700 words) 

Summative:  

  • Assignment 1: Summative 1,500-word essay 
  • Assignment 2: Summative 1,500-word essay  
  • Assignment 3: Summative Object Biographies, 1,500 words 
  • Assignment 4: Summative 2,500 word essay 

Year 2

Formative:  

  • Task 1: Formative Medieval materiality critical analysis and presentation. 700 words. 
  • Task 2: Formative Research proforma. 

Summative:  

  • Assignment 1: Summative Medieval essay. 2,500 words.  
  • Assignment 2: Summative early modern essay. 2,500 words.  
  • Assignment 3: Summative Contemporary/modern reflection, 750 words. 
  • Assignment 4: Summative 4,500 essay research project. Title to be selected from a list of questions or agreed with the course director. 

There is no formal examination at the end of the Certificate course.

IT requirements

Students are expected to have some IT skills, and access to a computer and the internet. IT skills related to the History of Art are built into the programme using exercises to build and test your skills. For example, the online units will provide step-by-step instructions on how to search museum websites and image databases. The computer you use should meet our recommended minimum computer specification.

Teaching staff

The Course Director is Dr Sean Willcock. 

Along with Dr Willcock, the teaching panel includes a number of experienced tutors – not only in their subject but in teaching adult students. They understand the learning needs of students returning to education and will be able to advise you on subject-based study skills throughout the course.

The Course Director and tutors will be able to help you with academic advice and support. In addition, there are academic literacy and academic English courses available to help you develop and improve the academic skills needed for effective study. 

Contact information

If you have a query that is not answered by the information on this page, you may contact the Course Director, Dr Sean Willcock. 

  • For general guidance, application and admissions advice, course-specific information, or credit transfer: undergraduate@conted.ox.ac.uk, +44 (0)1865 270312. 

How to apply

Click the 'Apply' button to request the online application link. We will email you the form and application guidance, usually by the next working day.  

You should allow plenty of time to complete the application form, and upload any supporting documents required. You should also allow sufficient time for your referee to submit their reference by the application deadline. 

You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application: 

  • a statement of 300 words outlining your previous experience of the subject (if any) and your reasons for wishing to enrol on the course. 

  • a 250-word submission task answering the following question: How has a book or an exhibition changed your perspective on the meaning of a work of art? 

  • contact details for one referee  

  • proof of English language ability if a non-native English speaker. Further information on English language requirements can be found here. Please note that candidates are required to have the higher-level score.

Application deadlines:  

  • 12 February 2026, 12:00 GMT 
  • 28 May 2026, 12:00 BST 

Early application is advised. The sooner you submit your application, the sooner your place will be considered.

Referees 

If possible, your referee should be someone who can comment on your academic ability and background, but where this is not appropriate, please choose a referee who can vouch for your motivation, commitment and potential. A reference from a family member is not acceptable.

Admissions decisions will be based on an assessment of knowledge, relevant experience, academic ability, potential and suitability for a course of study. We welcome applicants without traditional qualifications, including those with relevant career or life skills.

Selection criteria

Even if a course has no specific academic entry requirements then: (a) assessment of an applicant’s academic ability and suitability for the course of study will still take place and (b) since applications for many courses often significantly exceed places available, each application will be judged against the gathered field of applicants for each course each year.

The University is committed to promoting diversity, equality, inclusion, and widening access, including during the admissions process. We fully endorse the Equality Policy and our admissions procedures are kept under regular review to ensure compliance with this policy.

  • Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview.
  • The final decision on admission to the course rests with the Department.

English language requirements 

Please check the information on the specific English language requirements for this course. Applicants are required to have higher-level scores. 

Award and credit transfer

An Undergraduate Certificate will be awarded on completion of the course. You will be invited to celebrate at the annual Awards Ceremony, held at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre. 

The syllabus and teaching of the course are aimed at first-year undergraduate level (FHEQ Level 4). Students who successfully complete this two-year course will be awarded an Oxford University Undergraduate Certificate in the History of Art, equivalent to 120 CATS points at first-year undergraduate level (FHEQ Level 4) in the Department’s Qualifications and Credit Framework. Outstanding performance will qualify for a Distinction.  

Opportunities vary for the transfer of credit, so students who are considering taking this course in order to transfer credit are advised to discuss the possibilities with the Course Administrator on undergraduate@conted.ox.ac.uk or student.support@conted.ox.ac.uk.  

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS points). 

Fees

Fees for 2026-27 will be £3,725 (Home, Islands, and Republic of Ireland students) or £7,025 (Overseas students).

Please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. 

Information for applicants from the EU, EEA and Switzerland 

On 11 May 2021 the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) published new regulations and guidance to be used in assessing the fee status of students commencing courses in August 2021 and later. We will be using this guidance to carry out fee status assessments for students commencing courses in 2026/27, including students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland. If you are an EU national and do not live in the UK then you are likely to be charged Overseas fees. Students with settled and pre-settled status in the UK and some other categories of students who work in the UK can qualify for Home fee status as long as they meet the residence criteria. 

Information on financial support can be found on our website here. 

Financial Declaration 

All undergraduate offer-holders are required to complete a Financial Declaration Form (FDF) to demonstrate how they will meet the financial conditions of admission.  If you are offered a place on this course, you will be asked to complete this form. It demonstrates that you can, or are likely to be able to, afford the course, and must be accepted before you can be considered to have met the conditions of your offer. 

Pathways

We offer many courses in the History of Art, across various study formats and at different levels of study. 

If you are planning on embarking on a new career as a result of your studies, or hope to progress in your current field, you can access help and advice through the University Careers Service. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support