Looking for a way in to the captivating world of art history? Join expert tutors to explore key objects and principles on a journey that starts with early modern Britain, moves through 20th-century European art, and brings us right up-to-date with a look at postmodern and contemporary styles.
Key features
During this part-time online Certificate course, you will:
- become familiar with major themes in visual culture from the classical to the contemporary;
- feel empowered to conduct your own visual analyses of artworks across all media;
- learn how to place artworks in their broader historical context, including political, cultural and theoretical.
Course Dates
No upcoming courses. We are hoping to run the course again but the dates are TBC.
Key Features
Who is this Course for?
The course is open to anyone with an interest in the subject area, and no previous experience is necessary.
What will I be studying?
The Certificate is divided into three termly units.
Unit 1: Restoration to Pre-Raphaelites
The period from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries saw immense shifts in terms of artistic styles and movements, from a British Baroque inspired by the huge numbers of migrant artists from the Continent, to the “Golden Age” of the eighteenth century, to a Victorian Britain in which conflict emerged between those artists and designers who sought to create innovative contemporary styles and those who immersed themselves in a revival of the arts of the past. During this time art came to be seen as a means of social reform, with the highest standards of design and craftsmanship being extended to the decorative as well as to the fine arts.
Unit 2: Twentieth-century European art
Starting with Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism, developments of painting styles on the continent began to reflect technological, social and political change, showing an increasing commitment to the modern world. This unit charts the history of European art from the late 19th century through the avant-garde movements of the 1910s–30s (Cubism, Surrealism, Dadaism). Finally, we will consider the years leading to World War II and its immediate aftermath, a time when the European artistic landscape underwent a dramatic shift.
Unit 3: Postmodernism and Contemporary Art
From the 1960s onwards, artistic practices on both sides of the Atlantic shifted away from traditional media such as painting to focus on technologically-mediated practices (photography, video art, installation art). Moreover, the rise of the “neo-avant-gardes” inaugurated a new relation between art and life, with movements such as Fluxus, Land Art, and Performance Art. This unit traces how these two distinct yet connected frameworks developed over the 1960s and 1970s, and how they have continued to be relevant to recent and contemporary art since the 1980s, from mass media appropriation to art using digital technologies.
What can I go on to?
The Institute offers two 60 credit complementary one-year Certificate courses in History of Art which are taught and awarded at first year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4). The Certificates will be taught in alternating years and can be studied independently of each other, and in any order.
Students who have successfully completed the Undergraduate Certificate in History of Art: Early Modern to Contemporary (60 credits at FHEQ level 4) and the Undergraduate Certificate in History of Art: Classical to Renaissance (60 credits at FHEQ level 4) can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education in History of Art (120 credits at FHEQ level 4).
Undergraduate Diplomas in History of Art
The Institute also offers 2 part-time Diplomas in History of Art (FHEQ level 5) which will be taught in alternating years.
Credit awarded by the Institute can also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the amount of credit which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Do I choose Certificate or Diploma level?
The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your studies. The Certificate level courses are ideal for those who are new to the History of Art and/or University level study. If you are still unsure which academic level to study please contact the Academic Director in History of Art, Dr Lydia Hamlett ([email protected])
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course but as it is taught at university level (FHEQ 4) applicants should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
The Certificate level courses are ideal for those who are new to the History of Art and/or University level study. If you are still unsure which academic level to study please contact the Academic Director in History of Art, Dr Lydia Hamlett ([email protected])
English language requirement: If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our English language requirements pages for further information.
Technical requirements
For the 2022-2023 Academic Year this course is being taught remotely. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge, although there is an expectation that you will attend synchronous teaching sessions. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through the use of video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
You will therefore need to have access to:
- the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device.
- speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material
- a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available
Once you are logged into the VLE you can familiarise yourself with the learning environment. There is also guidance about how to access course materials and activities.
Teaching & Assessment
How will I be taught and assessed?
Teaching
The content, activities and interaction for each of the three units will be taught remotely using video-based teaching platforms and an online course Virtual Learning Environment. You will have access to resources, discussion forums, and course tasks within ICE's Virtual Learning Environment. Teaching methods will include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, interactive and experiential learning activities, reading and assignments to be completed by participants outside classroom sessions and online discussion forums.
All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. Your learning will be enhanced by:
- engaging with scheduled teaching sessions;
- participating in class activities and discussion;
- undertaking reading and assignments set by the tutor;
- accessing resources and submitting assignments through the VLE.
Course Timeline
- Course (Unit 1) Start Date: Friday 7 October 2022
- Unit 1 submission deadline: Wednesday 4 January 2023
- Unit 2 start date: Week commencing 2 January 2023
- Unit 2 submission deadline: Wednesday 22 March 2023
- Unit 3 start date: Week commencing 27 March 2023
- Unit 3 submission deadline: Friday 9 June 2023
Assessment
During the course you will assessed by a series of assignments, totalling 3000-4000 words per unit. Further details will be provided in the course guide.
In addition to attending the taught elements of the course and submitting assignments you will need to set aside time for independent study. Credit is generally calculated in terms of hours of study and assumes that each credit is awarded for around 10 hours of successful learning; so, by this calculation, a 60-credit course will involve around 600 hours of successful study. Examples of how study may be broken down are: pre-class preparation, classroom time (lectures, seminars, discussion, presentations, debates, case-studies etc.); engagement with the VLE; peer-to-peer interaction, preparations for assignments, assignment writing and feedback and so on.
What is the status of this qualification?
The course is taught and awarded at first-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the first year of full-time undergraduate study.
Fees
The tuition fee for this course is £2,500.
You can pay in two ways:
- in full on enrolment by credit or debit card
- in three equal instalments by credit or debit card: the first on enrolment, the second on 1 January and the third and final instalment on 1 April. The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details.
Please note, your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education accompanied by any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.
ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy
Information on sources of funding, bursaries and Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified one week after the application deadline if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered to transfer their application to another course or receive a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy).
Applying
Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.
Closing date for applications
Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on Monday 5 September 2022. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.
If you would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, please contact the Course Director, Dr Lydia Hamlett: [email protected]
