A Level

History of Art

and

Architecture

“History of Art and

Architecture was my

favourite subject at

New College as I was

able to study the

history and the context

of individual time

periods that were

relevant to the

artwork”.

Dan (AS History of Art and Architecture Student)

Michelangelo. David. 1504. High Renaissance.

Possible careers from studying History of Art and Architecture

A Degree in the Humanities sector involves extensive analysis and the

synthesis of detailed contextual information to forge an informed and

accurate opinion. From HE you could progress on to the following

professions….Teaching, Lecturer, Arts Administrator, Auctioneer, Arts

Conservator, Art History Tour Lecturer, Freelance Art Historian, Archivist, Art

Librarian, Image Librarian/Visual Resources Creator, Museums

Communications Officer, Curator, Decorative Arts Curator, Commercial

Gallery owner, Events Manager, Museum Registrar, Museum Retail,

Postdoctoral Funding Opportunities, Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.

What are A Level History of Art and Architecture lessons like?

In lessons you will analyse paintings, sculptures and buildings in groups and on your own. Each week we

look at a new period and you will learn new subject specific terminology and vocabulary that relates to

the work, such as chiaroscuro, a term used to describe paintings with intense light and dark areas. You

will then find out why the building or artwork has been made and place that work into its relevant time

period. You will not spend too much time note taking as the information you need is available to you on

the New College Virtual Learning Environment. You can access the information at any time!

Why should I study History of Art and Architecture at New College?

New College Swindon has been the only FE College in the country where you can study this subject. It is

popular in the private education sector so our students are pleased to study this subject in an FE

environment and not have to pay private education fees. We achieve excellent results. For five years

New College students achieved a 100% pass rate at AS. In 2014, the A2 students achieved a 100% pass

rate. In 2010, New College also formed a unique link with The Courtauld Institute, a prestigious Gallery

and University in London, and we hold exclusive workshops with them for our students. In Feb 2015

our students will attend a conservation workshop in the Courtauld and use X-Rays to discover how

paintings are made.

Is A Level History of Art and Architecture for me?

Have you ever visited a town, city, or an art gallery, and felt an urge to find out more? Have you ever

looked at a building and wondered how it was constructed? Have you ever you looked at an older

building and wondered what each individual part is called? If you said yes to any of these questions

then this is the perfect course for you! If you are the type of student who has an inquisitive mind and

enjoys discovering information then this is a perfect subject for you.

Remember, you do not need to have participated in any art subject at GCSE to study this subject. The

course tests your ability to analyse a painting, a sculpture or a building and make an informed opinion

on why it looks the way it does.

Where do your students study this course at HE level? We have had a number of students attend prestigious Universities across the country to study the

subject further. These include; University of Cambridge, University of Norwich, University of Bristol,

University of York, University of Roehampton, University of Warwick, University of Reading, Goldsmiths

University and Plymouth University. You will have full support throughout the UCAS application.

You will cover all the major styles and movements in art and architecture from

2000BC to the present day. These examples are just

some of the work that you will study in your first year.

Modernism

Le Corbusier

Villa Savoye

1928

Classical Architecture

The Parthenon

447-432BC

The Northern Renaissance

Bosch

The Garden of Earthly Delights

1504

Realism

Rodin

The Burghers of Calais

1895

Gothic Architecture

Westminster Abbey

1245

Marc Quinn

Self

1991

Post Modernism

“this course really helped me

understand art and

architecture and assisted in my

understanding of art for my

other A Levels.”

Rob (AS History of Art and Architecture Student)

This is a great course as it

explores all aspects of art.

It’s amazing how

influential the older art

and architecture is to

contemporary art”.

Kim (A2 History of Art and Architecture Student)

“I now understand

the specialist

language of

architecture and I

know what a

caryatid is!”

Jess (AS History of Art and

Architecture Student)

“I learned new

terminology which

improved my

analysis of art for

my other art based

subjects.”

Sara (A2 History of Art and

Architecture Student)

Frequently Asked Questions What GCSEs do I need to study to do the course?

Like most other A levels at New College, we require you to have four

Grade Cs at GCSE. The important thing is that you do not need to have

studied any art subject or History of Art at GCSE. In fact all of our AS

students have never studied the History of Art before and after

studying this A level went on to study the subject at Degree Level. You

will develop skills in preparation for University and beyond.

How will I be assessed?

Your AS Grade is made up of two exams which take place in May. Over

the year there are regular assessments to check that you are making

good progress. This includes regular timed essays, end of unit tests, and

weekly multiple choice tests.

What historical periods will I study?

You will study the full range of periods in Western European History,

including; the art and architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome; the art

and architecture of the Renaissance in Italy and beyond; the art

produced by the British Monarchs including the Tudors and the Stuarts;

the enlightenment of the 18th century; the revolutions of Europe in the

18th and 19th century; the art produced during the two World Wars; the

art and architecture of America and New York; the post-modern art and

architecture of Britain and America up to the present day. The subject

develops your understanding of Western Civilisation and beyond.

What other A Levels go with History of Art and Architecture?

The course can be combined with any other subject at New College. We

find it goes really well with any of the coursework based art subjects as

this course involves no coursework, and it will improve your knowledge

and understanding of all forms of art. It also compliments Philosophy,

English, History, Religious Studies, Sociology and Classical Civilisation.

Any other costs?

The course is excellent value for money as all of the resources that we

use are available on the College Virtual Learning Environment. You can

access these in the lessons via I Pods, I Pads, tablets and PCs that are

provided by the department. These resources can be saved and are

available 24/7 at home. We also attend several trips, including regular

visits to London and abroad to view the work and architecture in situ to

aid understanding. In April 2015 some of our students will

visit Rome to study the art and architecture!

How can I find out more?

If you have any questions then please email

russell.maggs@newcollege.ac.uk

“I had never taken an art

subject at GCSE, but my

choice of the History of Art

at New College inspired me

to study the subject further

at University.”

Rosario (A2 History of Art and

Architecture student)