History of Art

The course

History of Art is a full three-year course. Students for this take Part I at the end of the first year and a two-year Part II. It is also possible to change to History of Art after taking Part I of another subject; in that case, undergraduates study either a one-year or two-year Part II, depending on the length of the Part I course that they have taken.

Part I in History of Art offers a broad introduction to the history of art and architecture, and Part II offers a variety of more specialised options from the medieval period onwards. Both parts of the Tripos also include dissertations. Further details can be found on the Department's website.

History of Art at Pembroke

Pembroke is close to the Fitzwilliam Museum, which has one of the finest collections of art in the country and is used extensively in teaching. We are also close to the Department which is just along Trumpington Street. Our Director of Studies is Dr Rosalind Polly Blakesley, who is involved in both Part I and Part II teaching, and is a specialist in the Arts and Crafts Movement, and in Russian Art.

In addition to Dr Blakesley, Dr David Oldfield, affiliated lecturer, is involved in both Part I and Part II teaching, and we have a vibrant community of graduate as well as undergraduate students in the subject. Students get to know the art historians well through formal teaching, visits to local collections and buildings, and informal social gatherings.

The College offers plenty of opportunities for art historians (both undergraduates and graduates) including travel grants and life drawing classes (currently every Monday evening during term time) and a college art and art history society known as PAPS. There is a well equipped college Art Room for those interested in undertaking practical art and design, while a recent bequest has made Pembroke Library one of the best-stocked college libraries for the subject. These practical and financial opportunities, coupled with the presence of resident art historians and the college's own outstanding architecture, make Pembroke one of the best colleges for the study of History of Art.

Admissions

Pembroke aims to admit up to two undergraduates per year for the History of Art Tripos.

No A-level subject is stipulated or deemed inappropriate, but applicants taking Art and Design are usually expected to offer three additional A-levels. No prior qualification in the History of Art is necessary - we are keen to encourage applications from interested students from all backbrounds - though applicants should prepare for interview by looking at specific buildings and works of art, and considering these in an informed and critical manner.

The admissions process will consist of two interviews, one with the Director of Studies, who may be accompanied by another member of staff, and one with the Admissions Tutor or other non expert academic. Beforehand, applicants will be asked to send in two essays of their choice written for their A-level subjects. These may be discussed at one of the interviews.

Recent Pembroke graduates in History of Art have embarked on careers in national and local museums and galleries, auction houses, and arts publishing or PR. Some have decided to undertake postgraduate research, and others have successfully transferred their skills to follow non-arts-related career paths. Whatever their destination, they have all enjoyed the course (no History of Art student at Pembroke has transferred to another subject for many years), and current undergraduates are happy to discuss their experience of the History of Art Tripos with prospective applicants.

See also the University Prospectus entry for History of Art.

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