Course Overview

Explore how art captures history, expresses identity, and challenges ideas through our A level History of Art course.

A level History of Art is a rich and inspiring subject that explores visual culture across time, place, and perspective.

This course stands out at A level for its focus on how art reflects society, power, religion, and identity. Students study key artists, movements, and masterpieces—from classical sculpture and Renaissance painting to modern and contemporary works—developing the skills to analyse and interpret visual meaning and context.

This A level course builds deep cultural awareness alongside critical thinking, visual analysis, and research skills. With flexible online learning, A level History of Art is a perfect foundation for further study or careers in arts, curation, education, design, or cultural heritage.

If you are looking at completing an A level in one year, or if you are looking for more guided support including live seminars with your tutor, and structured schedules, check out our one-year Structured Fast Track A level History of Art course.ÌýAchieve your goals, your way.

  • 100%
pass rate at Grades A* to C in 2025

  • elearning icon

    Interactive course

  • Dedicated tutor support

A level History of Art at a glance

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Exam board

Edexcel 9HT0

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

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Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to supportÌýlearn@nec.

A useful critical text for the 1900-1939 period is The Shock of the New – students will receive a 20% off voucher code upon enrolment that they can choose to use on the publisher’s website.

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Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

course resources icon
Resources

Textbooks – this useful introduction to the study of art history and how to analyse works of art and architecture is included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Thinking about Art: a thematic Guide to Art History, by Penny Huntsman, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1-11890-497

 

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UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There areÌýno academic requirementsÌýfor this course.

Course materials are written in English so aÌýgood level of written EnglishÌýis required.

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Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (two):

  • 50% of marks Ìý(3 hours)
  • 50% of marks Ìý(3 hours)
course exam board icon
Exam board

Edexcel 9HT0

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There areÌýno academic requirementsÌýfor this course.

Course materials are written in English so aÌýgood level of written EnglishÌýis required.

course resources icon
Resources

Textbooks – this useful introduction to the study of art history and how to analyse works of art and architecture is included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Thinking about Art: a thematic Guide to Art History, by Penny Huntsman, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1-11890-497

 

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to supportÌýlearn@nec.

A useful critical text for the 1900-1939 period is The Shock of the New – students will receive a 20% off voucher code upon enrolment that they can choose to use on the publisher’s website.

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (two):

  • 50% of marks Ìý(3 hours)
  • 50% of marks Ìý(3 hours)
course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

education icon
UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course exam board icon
Exam board

Edexcel 9HT0

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 250-300 hours* plus time for completing assignments

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to supportÌýlearn@nec.

A useful critical text for the 1900-1939 period is The Shock of the New – students will receive a 20% off voucher code upon enrolment that they can choose to use on the publisher’s website.

course assignments icon
Assignments

11 assignments (one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final grade

course resources icon
Resources

Textbooks – this useful introduction to the study of art history and how to analyse works of art and architecture is included as a free ebook with your course:

  • Thinking about Art: a thematic Guide to Art History, by Penny Huntsman, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1-11890-497

 

education icon
UCAS points

Earn up to 56 UCAS points

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

There areÌýno academic requirementsÌýfor this course.

Course materials are written in English so aÌýgood level of written EnglishÌýis required.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with 1:1 tutor support

course assessment icon
Assessment

Exams (two):

  • 50% of marks Ìý(3 hours)
  • 50% of marks Ìý(3 hours)

Structured Fast Track A level History of Art

Our new one-year Structured Fast Track A level History of Art course is coming soon. Enrolments will open in May for a September 2026 course start & sit your exams in 2027.

Find out more about Structured Fast Track A levels & REGISTER YOUR INTEREST.

Why study A level History of Art

Future opportunities

  • Studying art history at university.
  • A wide range of rewarding career pathsÌýin areasÌýsuch as curation, conservation, writing, politics, law, business, design, teaching, tourism, journalism and research.

Course content

What you’ll learn…

Section 1

Visual analysis: Painting

  • Topic 1ÌýIntroduction to painting:ÌýOath of theÌýHoratii
  • Topic 2ÌýGenre
  • Topic 3ÌýChristian religious painting
  • Topic 4ÌýMythological painting and the nude
  • Topic 5ÌýThe ‘lesser’ genres
  • Topic 6ÌýPainting materials and techniques
  • Topic 7ÌýFormal elements of painting: composition
  • Topic 8ÌýColour and pictorial space
  • Topic 9ÌýFrom light and tone to pattern
  • Topic 10ÌýStyle
  • Assignment 1
Section 2

Visual analysis: Sculpture and architecture

  • Topic 1ÌýSculpting the human form
  • Topic 2ÌýGenre and subject in sculpture
  • Topic 3ÌýMaterials, techniques and processes in sculpture
  • Topic 4ÌýFormal elements in sculpture 1
  • Topic 5ÌýFormal elements in sculpture 2
  • Topic 6ÌýFormal elements in sculpture 3
  • Topic 7ÌýReligious and domestic architecture
  • Topic 8ÌýCivic and corporate architecture
  • Topic 9ÌýMaterials and techniques in architecture
  • Topic 10ÌýFormal elements in architecture 1
  • Topic 11ÌýFormal elements in architecture 2
  • Assignment 2
Section 3

Nature in art and architecture 1

  • Topic 1ÌýNature and landscape
  • Topic 2ÌýTurner:ÌýThe Harbour of Dieppe
  • Topic 3ÌýThe Starry Night
  • Topic 4ÌýAnimals in art:ÌýDouble-Headed Serpent
  • Topic 5ÌýAnimals in art:ÌýMaman
  • Topic 6ÌýPainting plants
  • Topic 7ÌýSunflower Seeds
  • Assignment 3
Section 4

Nature in art and architecture 2

  • Topic 1ÌýAngkor Wat
  • Topic 2Ìý‘The greatest American architect’
  • Topic 3ÌýThe Great Wave
  • Topic 4ÌýHepworth:ÌýPelagos
  • Topic 5ÌýHumans and nature:ÌýRain, Steam and Speed
  • Topic 6ÌýHumans and nature:ÌýThe Family of Man
  • Topic 7ÌýUsing critical texts
  • Assignment 4
SECTION 5

Identities in art and architecture 1

  • Topic 1ÌýThe Arnolfini Portrait
  • Topic 2ÌýTwo twentieth-century portraits
  • Topic 3Ìý3D Portraiture: Prima Porta Augustus
  • Topic 4ÌýMarc Quinn,ÌýSelfÌý2006
  • Topic 5ÌýAlison Lapper, Pregnant
  • Topic 6ÌýRepresenting gender stereotypes in painting
  • Topic 7ÌýSubverting gender stereotypes in painting
  • Assignment 5
SECTION 6

Identities in art and architecture 1

  • Topic 1ÌýIdentity in architecture: theÌý³§Ã¼±ô±ð²â³¾²¹²Ô¾±²â±ðÌýMosque
  • Topic 2ÌýZaha Hadid, architect
  • Topic 3ÌýThe Benin plaques
  • Topic 4ÌýYinkaÌýShonibare
  • Topic 5ÌýNelson’s Ship in a Bottle
  • Topic 6ÌýDivine identity: the Ghent Altarpiece
  • Topic 7ÌýGraham Sutherland:ÌýTheÌýCrucifixion
  • Assignment 6
SECTION 7

Rebellion and revival 1

  • Topic 1 Introduction to academic painting: Leighton
  • Topic 2 Painting everyday life: Frith
  • Topic 3 The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
  • Topic 4 Ford Madox Brown: Work
  • Topic 5 William Holman Hunt
  • Topic 6 Hunt: The Shadow of Death
  • Topic 7 Waterhouse: The Lady of Shalott
  • Topic 8 Arts and Crafts and Gothic Revival
  • Topic 9 The Albert Memorial
  • Assignment 7
SECTION 8

Rebellion and revival: France

  • Topic 1 Realism: Courbet’s The Stone Breakers
  • Topic 2 Manet: Olympia
  • Topic 3 Impressionism
  • Topic 4 Berthe Morisot
  • Topic 5 Gauguin: The Vision After the Sermon
  • Topic 6 Rodin: The Kiss
  • Topic 7 Rodin: two commemorative sculptures
  • Topic 8 Palais Garnier
  • Topic 9 Art Nouveau: Castel Béranger
  • Assignment 8
SECTION 9

Brave New World 1

  • Topic 1 Painting modern Paris: Robert Delaunay
  • Topic 2 Painting modern Paris: Sonia Delaunay
  • Topic 3 Fauvism and early Matisse
  • Topic 4 Henri Matisse post-Fauvism
  • Topic 5 German Expressionism
  • Topic 6 Origins of Cubism
  • Topic 7 Cubism: Picasso and Braque
  • Topic 8 Futurism
  • Assignment 9
SECTION 10

Brave New World 2

  • Topic 1 Marcel Duchamp
  • Topic 2 Dada
  • Topic 3 Surrealism
  • Topic 4 Giacometti and primitivism
  • Topic 5 Giacometti and Surrealism
  • Topic 6 Suzanne Valadon
  • Topic 7 Modernist sculpture
  • Topic 8 Public and commercial architecture
  • Topic 9 Modernist domestic architecture
  • Assignment 10

    Affordable study

    Flexible payments and financial help

    • As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
    • Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
    • Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.

    Visit ourÌýFee information pageÌýor

    Talk to an advisor
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    Monthly instalments

    Study now, pay your way

    It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 month repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.

    To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.

    The 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä(365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and repayment plans see ourÌýFee InformationÌýpage.

    Course fee £730
    Deposit £73
    Amount of credit £657
    Monthly payment £54.75
    Duration 12 months
    Total repayment £730
    Cost of credit £0.00
    Rate of interest 0% APR representative

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    With you every step of the way

    Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor

    You’ll have access to 1:1 support from your tutor. All 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.

    “I studied History and History of Art at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and then went almost straight into teaching. During my 36 teaching years I’ve been subject leader in History, Psychology and History of Art – History of Art is my passion, although I see it as being linked to many other disciplines. Last year I retired from my college job in order to focus on my own art and to work on maintaining and developing my singing voice.“

    Diane, History of Art Tutor
    MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS

    Help when you need it

    Additional support for under 18s

    We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä’s uniqueÌýProgress TrackerÌýmakes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view tutor feedback to ensure effective learning.

    Our approach to home study

    Need help choosing?

    Talk to one of our course advisors

    Still unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?

    Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.

    • Ìýand someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
    • OrÌýcontact usÌýtoday by phone or email.

    We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.

    Frequently asked questions

    Your common questions and concerns answered.ÌýRead more FAQs.

    You’ll be supported by a qualified subject tutor who provides feedback on your assignments and helps guide your progress. Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.

    Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule. Others may include set dates — especially for things like exams or NEAs (Non-Exam Assessment) — to help you stay on track.

    Yes! You can connect with other learners in your course’s online forum. Many students find discussing topics with peers helps reinforce their learning — and helps them feel part of a wider learning community.

    Yes. Most 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You’ll earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.

    We’re also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.

    Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don’t lead to formal accreditation.

    Yes, 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä is a JCQ-approved exam centre, which means we can support your exam entry, provide verified access arrangements, and oversee non-exam assessments (NEAs) — essential for subjects like English, Science and Geography.

    Yes. Many students complete a one-year fast track option, especially if working towards university or career deadlines. You’ll need to commit regular study time and plan carefully around assignment deadlines and exams.

    If you’re unsure whether fast track is realistic, we’ll advise you.

    Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you’ll need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA — Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates — so don’t leave it too late!

    If you’re planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you’ll need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.

    Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.

    Yes — 365³Ô¹Ï²¿Âä is ideal for international students. Many of our courses are available worldwide, but there are a few things to check before enrolling:

    Exams: You’ll need to arrange a local exam centre. AQA does not offer international exams, so you’ll need to travel to the UK for those.

    Qualification recognition: Ensure your chosen qualification is recognised in your country.

    Our team is happy to help you explore your options.

    People who study A level History of Art also take…

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