If you did History of Art at uni, did you enjoy it?

[SewhereIam]

Dd is starting History of Art with Cultural Studies in the next few weeks. She has just had a HUGE wobble and wants to swap courses/pull out entirely but isn't sure what to. She has worked so hard to get her place, is strong at researching and writing, and eventually wants to go into education (at this point in time). I am terrified that she is going to drop out. Can anyone give us some positives about their time on the course?

I studied History of Art at university (not in the UK, but similar system).

Positives:

• interesting subject - if your daughter genuinely likes visiting art museums and reading/writing about art then she will most likely enjoy it.
• at least at my university, the year group was smaller than that of some other similar subjects (History, English) so we all knew each other and I made lots of good friends.
• gives you a good grounding in various subjects/topics but understood through the lens of visual art e.g. studying the French Revolution by looking at what painters at the time were doing. I find this infinitely more interesting than straight history (though obviously that's a personal thing).

Negatives (I know you didn't ask, but only seems fair to give both sides):

• like all humanities subjects, the job prospects upon graduation are not as clear cut as if you study accounting, engineering, law etc, especially if you are not likely to get a first/2:1 from a very good university. At my university the careers info always spoke about becoming a curator as a potential career path - this may be the case, but it often requires further specialised postgrad study. Your daughter wants to go into education - do you mean at secondary school level? Or becoming an academic?
• I can only speak for my university, but we weren't exactly the most diverse bunch. It's a stereotype but at least in my case it was pretty true - lots and lots of very middle class girls. It may be different elsewhere or have changed since I was at university. I don't know if this is even a negative, but it's something to note.
• the course readings can be very dry.

What is making your daughter feel unsure about the course?

Thank you so, so much for your brilliant reply. I wasn't expecting one if I am honest!

She is at a RG uni and does love art, architecture and history, so it is a fantastic fit for her, but she won't tell me what it is that is making her question her choices. I think it may be the job prospects, but she has always said that she wants to do a masters and postgraduate study anyway.

She has a very diverse group of friends currently, her halls are for students of all the Uni's in the city (generic student accomodation instead of univeristy specific) so has met some lovely students there, and already knows which societies she would like to join, so I don't think any potential lack of diversity on the course will be an issue.

I think she is veering towards wanting to teach primary or to stay in academia. She has a 5 year old sibling and has really taken a shine to that age group of children, but as she would need a PGCE anyway it doesn't mean that she HAS to do education at undergrad. It has just been a major shock as it has come out of nowhere a week before term starts.

Look at what the Royals William & Kate studied at St Andrews uni

History of art

A relative of mine did this at a university that is famed for it. A total waste of time. All posh girls. Got the degree and no prospect of any work related to it.

She's right to have a re-think.

I did HoA with English, an alarming number of years ago. Of the people I'm still in touch with from the course one is an education officer at a major London gallery, ones head of Art at a secondary school and I believe one ended up working at the Guggenheim. This was an ex-poly.

I would agree that we weren't terribly diverse but the institution as whole wasn't.

My own career (conservation of historic buildings - I did a master's) was changed drastically by having two children with disabilities so my own path isn't particularly inspiring!

Most importantly though, I loved it. I had no interest in doing any of those courses which are a more obvious path into a career. My degree taught me to look, and to think. Properly look, and properly think. Real transferable skills.

The only thing I'd say is that if your DD wants to go into teaching it's worth looking at the requirements for a pgce. I considered teaching once we were out of the thick of battle with the kids and found that locally to me, history of art wouldn't get me onto a pgce course.

Did modules of it alongside my degree and loved it.

No need to drop out. Why not change to a different course?

Just read about the PGCE and I agree with a PP that History of Art might not be the most sensible choice when applying.

(I did Museum Studies afterwards)

Yes. I loved it.

Amazing subject - same transferable skills as any humanities course.

If it helps your daughter at all, I'm now a primary school teacher and know several primary school teachers with History of Art degrees.

My degree gave me knowledge and skills that I use in my job.

As a person who did History of Art...

Yes I enjoyed a bit of it, especially Art Nouveau and modern art in general, but the first year or so is largely Renaissance art so your DD will have to endure millions of panels of religious art, which can frankly get mind-numbingly dull.

Also there's not a lot you can do with the degree. I have always massively regretted studying it. I've only used to knowledge I gained there to mildly impress people at dinner parties - and we're talking 1 or 2 dinner parties, tops. It never really led to gainful employment. The only thing you can directly do with it is become a curator in a gallery, a job which is so sought after that basically nobody can get it, and those that do find themselves working for peanuts. Your DD could also go into antiques/auctioneering which is better paid, but again, these jobs are limited, dominated by nepotism, and highly sought after.

I think your DD should definitely switch to a course with better prospects or have a major rethink about what she wants to do. University isn't perfect for everyone. For some people it only slows them down on the path to getting where they actually need to go.

Yes, I loved it. Fabulous for building analytical skills which I used in non-museum/heritage roles. Now working in museum sector and its a strong foundation to build on, given I'm not involved with curatorial roles.

My degree taught me to look, and to think. Properly look, and properly think. Real transferable skills.

BobinogBobbleHat sums it up perfectly. Some of the best Business Analysts I have worked with have HoA degrees.

There are many, many roles other than "Curator in a gallery" that a degree in HoA will be really relevant for, even just within the museum sector - publishing, museum education roles, technicians and handling, exhibitons management. Then there are related roles such as conservation (with further training).

Outside of the sector, as mentioned upthread, the skills picked up are relevant and transferable for a whole range of roles.

I wish your daughter the best of luck.

@SewhereIam I know this is an old thread but how did your daughter get on? DD2 showing lots of interest having previously being very unsure about what to study.

Tbh it was the reason my DD dropped out of Uni after 2 yrs. It was nowhere near as interesting as she was convinced it was going to be and she really loved art and its history and visiting galleries etc. Looking back now 7 yrs later it was a really bad choice for her and she would have certainly struggled to find work in that field afterwards if she had finished the course.

Supposed it depends whether you want to run up a massive bill with poor(er) job prospects at the end of it than most university courses.

Some people can afford that. Some less so.

I guess if her aim is to enter teaching then it probably matters less which course she does, and the kind of person that wants to do history of Art in the first place is unlikely to want to change to a moneyspinning numerate degree.

I think she is fortunate in wanting to go into teaching, because pretty much any degree will do for that. If for some reason teaching does not work out for her though ...