Course Overview
Learn the ‘language of looking’ and open your mind to the architecture, painting and sculpture that surrounds us through our insightful Art History online course.
Are you keen to learn more about the history of art and the creative minds that drove change and inspired generations of future artists? This course will expand and develop your knowledge of this fascinating subject.
Art history has strong ties to other subject areas – including social history, anthropology and politics. Through studying art, you’ll gain valuable exposure to other humanity subjects, which will build your wider knowledge and inform how you view and understand the world.
By studying art history you’ll be able to identify different styles and movements, as you gain an appreciation of art in its historical context. This course will encourage you to become a more inquiring and critical thinker, and offers an enjoyable, insightful learning experience for any budding art historian!
-
Distance learning that fits around you
-
1:1 tutor support
Art History at a glance
Here is what’s included in this online course
Online learning with support from a personal tutor
- Gombrich, The Story of Art, 16th edition, Phaidon
- Murray, Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists, Thames and Hudson
- Murray, The Art of the Italian Renaissance, Thames and Hudson
- Murray, The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance, Thames and Hudson
- Olson, Italian Renaissance Sculpture, Thames and Hudson
- Frampton, Modern Architecture: A Critical History, Thames and Hudson
- Lynton, The Story of Modern Art, Phaidon
- Internet access
- Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec
Your course fee does not cover: The cost of the additional textbooks
NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
24/7 access to learn@nec our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 80 study hours, plus time for completing assignments
Support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment
- You will need some basic essay-writing skills
- An ability to read and write in English
12 assignments
Online learning with support from a personal tutor
- You will need some basic essay-writing skills
- An ability to read and write in English
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 80 study hours, plus time for completing assignments
NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
24/7 access to learn@nec our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
- Gombrich, The Story of Art, 16th edition, Phaidon
- Murray, Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists, Thames and Hudson
- Murray, The Art of the Italian Renaissance, Thames and Hudson
- Murray, The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance, Thames and Hudson
- Olson, Italian Renaissance Sculpture, Thames and Hudson
- Frampton, Modern Architecture: A Critical History, Thames and Hudson
- Lynton, The Story of Modern Art, Phaidon
- Internet access
- Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec
Your course fee does not cover: The cost of the additional textbooks
12 assignments
Support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment
Online learning with support from a personal tutor
- Gombrich, The Story of Art, 16th edition, Phaidon
- Murray, Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists, Thames and Hudson
- Murray, The Art of the Italian Renaissance, Thames and Hudson
- Murray, The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance, Thames and Hudson
- Olson, Italian Renaissance Sculpture, Thames and Hudson
- Frampton, Modern Architecture: A Critical History, Thames and Hudson
- Lynton, The Story of Modern Art, Phaidon
- Internet access
- Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec
Your course fee does not cover: The cost of the additional textbooks
NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
24/7 access to learn@nec our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 80 study hours, plus time for completing assignments
Support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment
- You will need some basic essay-writing skills
- An ability to read and write in English
12 assignments
Why study Art History?
Art history has strong ties to other subject areas – including social history, anthropology and politics. Through studying art, you’ll gain valuable exposure to other humanity subjects, which will build your wider knowledge and inform how you view and understand the world.
Our Art History online course is ideal if you:
- Are a keen artist, either amateur or professional.
- Enjoy learning about artists and major art movements.
- Would like to explore how art influenced different cultures and traditions.
- Want to boost your art history knowledge to support and enhance your studies in other related humanity or art subjects.
Future opportunities
Your next steps
- Studying our Art Techniques course or Art GCSE or A level.
- Art history opens up a wide range of rewarding career paths in areas such as museum conservation, heritage, illustration, graphic design, fashion, architecture and media.
Art History taster
This free PDF taster provides an example of a topic from the course.
Download your free taster today, have a look around and contact us if you have any questions about the Art History course.
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.
- NEC’s fees offer some of the best value on the market, with multi-buy options, special offers, personal discounts and affordable finance options.
- 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 our Fee information page or
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 National Extension College (NEC) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and repayment plans see our Fee Information page.
| Course fee | £419 |
| Deposit | £41.90 |
| Amount of credit | £377.10 |
| Monthly payment | £31.43 |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Total repayment | £419 |
| Cost of credit | £0.00 |
| Rate of interest | 0% APR representative |
Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor
You’ll have access to support from a personal tutor.
All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.
MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS“I’ve been involved in distance education for many years, and have been a practising artist all my adult life. In my own creative practice, my main interests are in drawing, illustration, printmaking, animation and painting, and also digital art. Learning to draw is the platform for a satisfying creative adventure with art: looking intensively at the work of other artists is essential to developing your own work. My knowledge of art history means I can pinpoint examples of artists to help you develop your own practice. I have a first degree in Fine Art and English and a PGCE in Art Education.”
Talk to one of our course advisors
Unsure whether online self-study is right for you?
Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.
- Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
- Or contact us today 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. Read more FAQs.
NEC offers flexible, online courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.
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.
Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you.
If you’re planning to apply to university, and doing this course as part of your preparation, please be aware of application deadlines.
Yes — NEC is ideal for international students.
Our team is happy to help you explore your options.
People who study Art History also take…
If you are interested in art or art history, have you considered these other courses.
A level History of Art
Explore how art captures history, expresses identity, and challenges ideas through our A level History of Art course.
Art Techniques
Develop your skills in drawing and painting as you explore the key techniques you need to draw and paint successfully. If you are a budding Picasso, Kahlo or Monet this course is for you!
