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.

Thanks so much everyone. I’m feeding all your helpful comments back to DC to assist them in forming their decision. B is much closer for us but E is also doable by regional airport (and sometimes cheaper than the train!).

Edinburgh is historically a wonderful university. However the VC has committed to swingeing cuts of 10% year on year and said publicly that academic compulsory redundancies are a possibility.

Where will they come from? A large part of Edinburgh’s income is from external grants. The disciplines and people who acquire them are likely to be relatively protected. Sadly I am not aware that HoA generates large grants, so I think it has a higher likelihood than eg STEM fields of being cut significantly. (FWIW I am in STEM and I think this attitude absolutely sucks). Actually to find 10% every aspect of UG life will be affected.

The whole of UCU Scotland (the academic union) has already voted No Confidence in the VC. Strikes are likely. The last strike at Edinburgh, a marking one, wasn’t well handled and chaos ensued.

It all seems particularly mean spirited because after Oxbridge, counting College wealth, Edinburgh is the richest university in the UK.

In normal times I would say these are two good programmes so DD should follow her heart, or gently nudge her towards Edinburgh. Right now I think it is best avoided. Really sorry about that.

I can't imagine Bristol won't be making huge cuts in the very near future too :(

True. But the Edinburgh cuts of about £140 pa for the foreseeable are much the largest announced to date.

History of Art is a complicated subject. Only a few universities are really rated in the art world and any HoA degree needs students to be very engaged with art industry beyond the university walls in order to get a job. HoA has statistically poor job prospects but aggregate figures hide huge disparities.

Not quite sure what that has to do with Bristol/Edin potentially making cuts, sorry if I'm being dim.

Just warning people to tread very carefully. I wouldn't pay for my child to study HoA outside of Oxford/Cambridge/Courtauld/Edinburgh/St Andrews. And the news coming out of Edinburgh is very worrying indeed.

I think this is valid. I took A level History of Art and years later, was gutted when it was completely removed from any kind of A level syllabus. I did think when this happened, that the degree level versions of History of Art would probably be the next thing to go, or at least be reduced.

That’s£140M pa

Slightly off topic but DDs friend did HofA at Newcastle and now has a great career with Sothebys. It’s not necessary to go to the Courtauld! There’s masters courses there if needed. As a result Bristol is just fine.

It’s a bit of a shame she’s not doing it with a MFL. DD did MFLs at Bristol and did modules in HofA in Switzerland and Italy. Italy was of course ace. Also had HofA students in her MFL clssses and they were happy!

I’d also say that if anyone didn’t like the course they probably chose the wrong modules. Just choose the city she likes and bear in mind what @poetryandwine1says.

Newcastle no longer offers a BA in History of Art, sadly.

[I wasn't sure if you were saying this when referencing the Masters (which they do offer) or if you were strictly referring to the Masters at the Courtauld.]

Yep.. I've heard some horror stories along these lines from close family there

Edinburgh much more respected than Bristol for history of art (source - history of art grad)

In my day the only serious hoa depts were Courtauld, Manchester, Edinburgh, UEA. Oxford was good but you couldn’t access it save as Fine Art so you needed a practical ability which I didn’t have.

That's what I'd have thought, historically but they are side by side in the league tables, #6 and #7 and there's got to be an academic reason for that (Complete university guide, not The Guardian)

Bristol wouldn’t be in my top 8

You are drip feeding. Care to elaborate?

Why does this person bang on about this Courtauld whatever-it-is when the DD didn't even apply? I've never heard of it and I'm in London. This place was not in the question.

OP, your DD will just have to decide which city she prefers. There's nothing in it, reputation-wise, between Bristol or Edinburgh. Bristol is quite rainy, but will be significantly warmer and easier travel. Edinburgh can be bitterly cold and a bit austere. Does she really want 4 years up there? Only she can say. it's personal preference. Good luck!

I’m not drip feeding. I’ve told you I wouldn’t place it in my top 4. It doesn’t have the reputation or the profs and Bristol as a place doesn’t have much art either. I’ve given you my top 4. I’d put St Andrews, Glasgow, York and probably Birmingham over Bristol for history of art. That’s my view, take it or leave it.

But your argument is in small part, a nonsense. Bristol is an hour from London. And all those art galleries / museums.

(And what art is there in York of all places?)

Bristol as a place doesn’t have much art either.
Have you actually walked around Bristol? If there's one city that literally wears its 'art on its sleeve it's Bristol.

It’s not nonsense. You are rude. Why ask for advice if you don’t want it? Yes you can get on a train or a plane and be in London or Paris or Rome in a few hours from everywhere. That is not the same as studying in a place that has proper resources on the doorstep. Manchester, UEA, Birmingham have serious collections in their unis. London Edinburgh Glasgow have world class galleries and museums. Bristol doesn’t. It is relevant.

If you don’t think the ashmolean and other college collections are valuable for those studying history of art in oxford I can’t help you.

Bristol and Edinburgh are among the universities in the least precarious financial positions, making them more stable choices. Avoiding Courtauld is a sensible decision.

However, Bristol's redundancy of 194 staff members last year raises concerns, particularly regarding the impact on student support services.

I didn't ask for advice, I asked you to elaborate.

You initially mentioned York having a far greater access to art than Bristol. And honestly I don't think that's right. And I see you don't mention it again, when questioned because you probably realized that yourself.

Also I don't know why you have to sound so angry in your responses, this isn't the House of Lords.