Students and a tutor visiting the National Museum of Scotland
Photo: Ben ShmulevitchAs art historians, we use the visual and the material to learn about the world around us.
In Scotland, art history is a university-level subject that combines approaches from many disciplines to ask questions about power, identity, economy and environment. We pride ourselves in having the UK’s longest-established chair going back to 1880, and today you’ll join scholars from Africa, Asia, South and North America, as well as from Europe.
Professor Carol Richardson, Head of History of Art, gives an overview of the subject area at Edinburgh College of Art.
You’ll study in one of the largest, longest-established, fastest-growing and most diverse History of Art Schools in the UK.
Our city is home to some of Europe’s most valuable art collections, as well as one of the UK's liveliest contemporary art scenes.
History of Art is one of the classic humanities disciplines. You’ll learn how to interpret and critique images and objects of almost every conceivable kind.
Our students can take courses from across the University of Edinburgh and you’ll be taught by experts who are active writers and curators.
Our graduates can be found in leadership roles in the arts worldwide. Edinburgh is where those careers start.
We have a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes on offer.
Tottenham Court Road Arches Fragment Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, 1985
Image courtesy of John Bryden, University of EdinburghDada and Surrealism Research Group
Photo by Joseph Wilson: Dr Bryony Coombs teaching ECA postgraduates in History of Art
Joseph WilsonEdinburgh Manuscripts: Composition and Collection (EMCC)
Frans Francken the Younger, The Cabinet of a Collector, 1617
Royal Collection TrustMaterial Culture in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries Research Cluster
Image: Federica Mentasti
Parity in Practice
Anselm Kiefer, 2014, Copyright Anselm Kiefer
Photo: Charles DupratResearch Forum for German Visual Culture
Photo courtesy of Sundance Institute
SEXES
The Global Contemporary
Haida Sphinx, 1874-1878 CE, British Columbia, Canada. British Museum, Object Am1896,-.1202
Transoceanic Art Research Consortium (TARC)
Assassin's Creed: Mirage.
Image: ACMirage_© Assassin's Creed & Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.Edinburgh art historian helps build new Assassin’s Creed video game
An Edinburgh College of Art historian has helped build the immersive digital world of ninth century Baghdad for the latest installment in popular video game franchise Assassin’s Creed.
Lorna Phillips, 'The Kunda Pair', 2020, Digital Film Still of Installation, Filming by Ali Madani.
Image: Lorna PhillipsEdinburgh graduates win big at RSA New Contemporaries
ECA graduates taking part in the RSA’s annual exhibition have been recognised with awards following the opening of the exhibition, including the prestigious £15,000 Glenfiddich Artist in Residence Award.
Elizabeth Blackadder and John Houston with cat, 1990s.
Image: Royal Scottish Academy/Blackadder Houston Charitable TrustSignificant bequest from former ECA lecturers will fund new opportunities for painting students
A new bequest from the estate of ECA alumni and former lecturers Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RSA and John Houston RSA OBE will fund an extensive programme of support for artists in Scotland, including new funding awards for ECA students.
The Travelling Gallery bus.
Image: Travelling GalleryTravelling exhibition highlights campaigns for fair housing conditions in Scotland
Four postgraduate students on ECA's MSc by Research in Collections and Curating Practices programme have collaborated with the Travelling Gallery and the University of Edinburgh Art Collection on a new mobile art exhibition about community-led struggles for safe, affordable housing in Scotland.
