Art History (BFA)
Why study Art History?
The major in Art History provides students with foundational knowledge about the history of art, while also introducing the most up-to-date ideas, theories and methodologies being used in the discipline today. Students take courses related to artistic periods and media, but have a great deal of flexibility in devising their path through the program. We typically offer over 50 undergraduate art history courses each year. Furthermore, our course offerings are continuously being changed and updated to include new approaches to studying art.
Beginning in their second year, students can register for upper-level seminars, which allow smaller groups of students to join a professor in exploring a special topic or research question. (Some recent special topics: Looted Art; Ethics and Contemporary Craft; Art and Ritual in Medieval Europe; Queering Modernism). As a complement to classroom activities, internships in museums or art galleries offer hands-on, experiential learning.
Program highlights
- Explore both research and artistic practice
- Focus on the artistic eras and movements that interest you most
Program structure
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Program options
- Major in Art History (66 credits)
This program is designed to allow students to determine their own art history interests and follow their most appropriate course of studies. Students are required to take a certain number of credits from designated course groups and are then free to select the remaining 30 credits for their major. There are three required courses in the program: introductory survey courses ARTH 201 and ARTH 202, and ARTH 300, which concerns the critical methodologies of art history. - Minor in Art History (30 credits)
The department offers a Minor in Art History to students in programs in the Faculty of Fine Arts and to students in other faculties.
Integrated path
Get a head start on graduate studies. As an undergraduate student in Art History, you can take up to nine credits that count towards both your Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Arts (MA) in Art History.
Courses
United States students: A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.
Admission criteria
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec CEGEP: 19
- High School: C+
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP): 4.3/7
- Baccalauréat français: 11
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): C
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
After your degree
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and discipline to think critically about your work, and have the necessary leadership skills required for entrepreneurial endeavours. Your degree can lead to many paths such as:
- Research or graduate studies
- Museum or gallery curator
- Archivist or librarian
- Teacher
- Critic, journalist or writer
