A Level History of Art

Learning to interpret images and understand design are skills for life.

History of Art provides you with an exciting opportunity to better understand the world around you by looking at a wide range of artists and architects, from classical antiquity to the modern-day!

About the Course

Classes are highly interactive, and you are encouraged to discuss, debate and present your ideas to both your teacher and each other. As a result, you will gain a better understanding of painting, sculpture and architecture in the context of their art historical periods.

Learning takes place both in galleries and museums and in the classroom, using digital slides and films. The course will also teach you vital essay writing skills, preparing you not just for examination but also for life beyond A level.

Opportunities unique to this course

History of Art presents an opportunity to study a diverse range of topics, covering philosophical, political and aesthetics awareness through to the documentary, conceptual and spiritual concerns. Not only does this provide a rich and diverse educational experience, it also provides an excellent opportunity to develop transferable skills.

Visual Analysis and Interpretation

In this part of the course, you will gain valuable skills in visual analysis, investigating how to interpret art and architecture through their formal elements. The exam will test your abilities by giving you three images to analyse: one painting, one piece of sculpture and one piece of architecture.

Thematic study in Art History

We will study a range of case studies from a choice of two themes from the following:

• Nature in Art
• Identities in Art
• War in Art

This will give us the chance to examine concepts and contexts across a diverse and rich set of art and architecture, including non-western examples.

Rebellion and Revival

The ‘Avant-Garde’ in Britain and France (1848-1899) will present the opportunity to study the latter part of the 19th Century in depth.

Brave New World

Modern Art of the early 20th Century (1900-1939) will present the opportunity to study the early 20th Century in depth.

Paper 1: 3 hour exam 50% of the A Level.

Section A Visual Analysis - three unseen images

Questions on images provided in the paper assess knowledge and understanding of formal aspects of art and architecture and how they contribute to meaning.

Section B Thematic Study - two short answer questions & two concise essays.

Paper 2: 3-hour exam 50% of the A level.

Two short answer questions, one concise essay and one long essay.

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

History of Art gives students a great foundation for any career in the visual arts. It also presents opportunities to work in a range of areas such as the museums and gallery sectors, journalism, art conservation and many more!

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/history-of-art