Bristol or Edinburgh for History of Art

[MarmaladeGinger]

DC has offers (same grade requirements) from both Bristol and Edinburgh to study History of Art. Has done a list of pros and cons for both unis and read about the course contents at each. We live in South England, so one obviously easier to reach, although given current reliability and cost of train fares a flight to Scotland often proves cheaper and quicker! Does anyone have any knowledge of the History of Art departments and reputations at either uni? Any insight to assist their decision would be much appreciated.

Are those her only offers? Does she not have an offer at the Courtauld?

Didn’t apply to Courtauld as wanted a broader uni experience, mixing with students from other disciplines. Was concerned that certain opportunities from societies and sports offerings would be limited at Courtauld, despite loving London.

She will love Edinburgh, a large majority of the younger generation in Scotland want to live in Edinburgh. Unfortunately i dont have any knowledge of the courses any more.

Oh dear! What a pity. It's not like that at all and the opportunities at the Courtauld are unparalleled.

If it makes a difference, the Edinburgh degree will be 4 years, I suppose the Bristol one is 3?

I'm pretty sure the History of Art students at Edinburgh don't mix with plebs.
I'm a lecturer at an English university in a region with a fairly strong accent (think Geordie/West Country). One of my students complained about a lecturer who has a strong local accent.
There have been articles about well off Southern English students in Edinburgh making fun of classmates.

The Scottish system of doing an outside course is good if she wants to sample other disciplines. Edinburgh is a great city. The demographic can be fairly upper(ish) middle class esp history of art.

DC has had several older school friends who went to Courtauld but have sadly dropped out due to concerns already mentioned. Yes, aware Edinburgh is 4 years and would mean the possible gap year isn’t taken but likes the idea of study abroad/placement in year 3 there instead.

Does anyone know the size of History of Art department at E? Lots of news articles about drastic cost cutting/course closures.

Would this degree include study trips / experience abroad? If yes, then compare those. Have you checked what studentroom website says.

Yes, E have placements/study abroad opportunities within 3rd year which sound interesting. Concerns about the possibility that the course may be cut in the restructuring.

Students drop out of the Courtauld because they can't keep up with the social life, not for lack of it.

Immaterial now as Courtauld was not 1 of their 5 choices.

Looked up the Edinburgh acceptances for 2024 and it was just over 100 (including joint with History of Art).

Not sure how many switch to other subjects. However there will also be Fine Art (and other student) in 1st and 2nd year.

No public info on which depts most affected by cuts.

I was thinking about this choice last night. It's a very close call I'd expect. Both courses are well considered in the rankings (#6 and #7 respectively). Both universities are prestigious in lovely cities and with similar student intake (Oxbridge rejects etc). I think if I had to choose, for myself it would be difficult.

When I was at university the best place for History of Art at standard universities was UEA/ Edinburgh and I think back then even Oxford offered it (I could be wrong). But so much has changed.

Both these universities may be making changes to courses and cuts, but both of them are in very solid financial positions in comparison to others. There's no guarantee that what appears to be available this year in terms of modules will be available next, etc

What are the pros and cons for your kid? Which place would be farther to travel? Are close friends planning to attend either? I do think it gets down to these kinds of specifics.

I have a couple of friends with DC doing history of art at Edinburgh and a friend with a DC doing it at Bristol. The one at Bristol is a bit bored and not finding the course very stimulating. The ones at Edinburgh are very happy with the course, however this is obviously a tiny sample so don’t read too much from it.

I get the impression that all universities are making cuts but I don’t think either department is at huge risk of complete closure. Edin is a rich university . Any historyof art department, by definition, is going to be quite middle class. Go for the city where your DD think she would have the best time and likes the vibe best.

Here's the academic staff list for Edinburgh History of Art: You may need to select 'History of Art' and then 'academic' if this link doesn't take you directly to that category.
https://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/people

Edinburgh is a serious contender for History of Art. Bristol isn't.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. The information and insights offered are very useful and greatly appreciated.

How is this at all relevant to the OP's question?

Unfortunately the DC seems to have made her HoA applications based on a misconception.

Why on earth is someone banging on about a uni that’s not even part of the discussion? It’s totally irrelevant!

I studied History of Art at Bristol, but I’d say that Edinburgh as a city has a far better visual arts scene with the contemporary art galleries, as well as the National Museums. Plus Glasgow and Dundee within striking distance for more things to see.

I did a joint honours degree at Edinburgh with History of Art as one of the two subjects. This is 30 years ago, so I don't know how relevant it is now, but Edinburgh is a fabulous city in which to study HoA, because all the national Scottish museums are there. It's a small dept, so you get to know people, I had some really impressive lecturers back in the day. I loved it. Can't speak for Bristol obviously, but the art museums in Bristol won't be anywhere near as good as Edinburgh. I don't know where in the south you are, but Easyjet to Edinburgh is about an hour and you can get into the city centre on the tram from the airport now, which is really quick.

Bristol is less than 1 hr 15 min train from London with quite a few galleries and museums to choose from...

Also it has an airport that will take you to various cities in Continental Europe for short trips where there are plenty of galleries as well.

I think the Edinburgh / Bristol comparison in terms of on-site galleries is grasping at straws here.

DD did HofA at Bristol. It was very academic, a lot of essays, but there was some practical variety in curatorial modules with the RWA, the NT and other art places (Spike Island maybe?).

She loved Bristol, loved the vibe of the city and the social life. She liked her lecturers. She even went up to London at weekends to galleries like the Courtauld. (I know, she was probs well jel).

Anyway, she had a blast at Bristol because she enjoyed living there. But sounds like a nice choice between that and Edinburgh.