Megan McCarthy
Student spotlight details
Currently working as a solicitor apprentice, Megan is pursuing our part-time Certificate in the History of Art to deepen her understanding of the art world and advance her career. She is hoping to apply what she has learned on the course as she gains experience and works towards qualifying in the area of art.
'As a solicitor apprentice, I am currently training to qualify as a lawyer while also completing my law degree. One of the reasons that I was drawn to undertake my apprenticeship with the firm I work for was due to its art-law practice. I decided to take the part-time Certificate in the History of Art to deepen my knowledge of the art world in a way that complements this step in my career, and I am excited to apply the things which I have learned from Oxford. As I progress through my apprenticeship, I’m hoping to gain experience within this practice to potentially qualify there.
'Studying law has made me realise how much I enjoy discussion, debate, and the challenge of interpreting ideas from multiple angles. I believe this aligns closely with my long-term fascination with the way two people can stand in front of the same artwork and draw completely different meanings from it, as well as the profound influence that informed looking can have on how we interpret art. Returning to explore that in greater depth through this course felt like a great way to balance the structured reasoning of legal study with the open-ended nature of art history, while also giving me the opportunity to engage in conversations with like-minded people.
'The course so far has delivered exactly that! One of the most rewarding aspects has been the chance to have thoughtful conversations with people from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the artworks we study. It has been equally inspiring to learn from tutors who are so passionate and accomplished in their fields; their enthusiasm for art history adds real depth and engagement to every session.
'One thing I have found challenging has been learning to slow down and really look at artworks in a more analytical and attentive way. In day-to-day life, I have realised that we consume an overwhelming number of images at speed (on our phones, in news feeds, on social media) and it’s easy to glance rather than truly observe. Shifting from that quick, surface-level engagement to a more deliberate and thoughtful way of looking has taken time and practice, and it's still something that I am actively working on. But developing this skill has completely changed how I approach visual material, encouraging me to notice details and meaning that I would previously have overlooked, and this has been incredibly rewarding. It has transformed visits to museums and galleries from something purely enjoyable into something genuinely insightful, and I now feel much more equipped to engage with artworks in a more meaningful way.
'I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of art, broaden their perspectives, and enjoy the experience of learning alongside like-minded people. From my own experience, I’ve found that not having a formal background in art hasn’t been a barrier at all. What has mattered most is approaching the course with an open mind and a willingness to explore.'
