Are you fascinated by art, architecture and cultural landscapes, modern, and old? Are you curious about the meaning, history, and impact of art? Then Art History is your program.
The Department of History of Art, Architecture & Landscape in Groningen is unique because it combines the study of the visual arts, urbanism, architectural history and the history of landscapes, and examines the relationships between artwork, city and landscape. Our bachelor program offers a combination of historical, theoretical, and practice-based courses in which our international faculty collaborates with experts in the field. You are introduced to the professional field from the beginning. Art historians study artworks on-site. You will therefore go on excursions to Florence in your first year and to a large European metropolis like Berlin, London, or Vienna in your third year. The Department also organizes many excursions in the Netherlands.
After your Bachelor degree you can continue your studies in the Master program Arts and Culture. You can choose between the following tracks:
Art speaks all languages. Since the academic year 2017-2018 our department offers all courses in English. English will therefore be our official language.
The first-year courses introduce you to important works in the history of art, from Classical Antiquity to Rembrandt, from Michelangelo to Mondrian, and Warhol to Ai Weiwei. From Gothic churches to Rietveld and Rem Koolhaas, from Italian gardens to the Dutch polder landscape.
You learn everything about the most important artistic periods and movements, you take courses in visual analysis, iconography, and materials and techniques. Fridays are usually reserved for excursions and you visit Florence for two weeks in the winter.
Periods | ||||
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CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Beyond Antiquity: Architecture 400-1400 (5 EC) | ||||
Beyond Antiquity: Visual Arts 400-1400 (5 EC) | ||||
Seeing and Knowing: Visual Analysis & Iconography (5 EC) | ||||
Paint to Pixel: Artist's Materials & Techniques Through the Ages (5 EC) | ||||
Towards Modernity: Architecture & Landscapes 1400-1800 (5 EC) | ||||
Towards Modernity: Visual Arts 1400-1800 (5 EC) | ||||
Florence Excursion (5 EC) | ||||
Reality Contested: Visual Arts 1800-1914 (5 EC) | ||||
Style & Modernity: Architecture & Urbanism 1800-1914 (5 EC) | ||||
Blurring Boundaries: Architecture & Urbanism 1914-now (5 EC) | ||||
Blurring Boundaries: Visual Arts 1914-now (5 EC) | ||||
Reading Cultural Landscapes: Past and Present (5 EC) |
The second year has a two-fold approach: on the one hand it deepens the knowledge you obtained during the first year by focusing on distinct subject matters, such as contemporary art, the design of landscapes, architectural theory, or Italian Renaissance art.
On the other hand, we challenge you by placing what you have learned in a broader, interdisciplinary context with courses on “Art & Science”, “Art & Environment”, “Architecture, Nature & Enlightenment”, "Art & Institutions” and "Medieval Landscapes and Architecture".
Periods | ||||
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CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Architecture, City & Freedom (5 EC) | ||||
Medieval Landscapes & Architecture (5 EC) | ||||
Renaissance Art: Individual/Institution (5 EC) | ||||
Art Now (5 EC) | ||||
Designed Landscapes 1800-present (5 EC) | ||||
Perspectives in Art Theory (5 EC) | ||||
Art & Science (5 EC) | ||||
European Country House Landscapes (5 EC) | ||||
Global Dutch Art (5 EC) | ||||
Architecture, Nature & Enlightenment (5 EC) | ||||
Art & Environment (5 EC) | ||||
Art & Institutions (5 EC) |
The first semester of the third year is reserved for your minor. We recommend that you choose a minor at one of our partner universities abroad. But you can also opt for a Career Minor that includes a placement or a Faculty Minor.
After you have finished your minor, you go on a field trip to a major art or architectural metropolis, like Berlin, London, Vienna, or Brussels. You finish your program with a thesis on a topic of your own choosing. You acquire the skills necessary for the job market in all of your classes.
Periods | ||||
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CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Minor (30 EC) | ||||
Excursion abroad: Art & Architecture/Landscape (10 EC) | ||||
From Theory to Practice (5 EC) | ||||
BA Thesis (10 EC) | ||||
Practice Lab: Architecture/Art/Landscape (5 EC) |
Programme options |
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Modern and Contemporary Art (specialization) |
Early Modern Art (specialization) |
Architecture and Urbanism (specialization) |
Landscape History (specialization) |
Minors (minor) The fifth semester (year 3 semester 1) of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor. |
University of Groningen Honours College (honours program) The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities. The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 45 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme |
Art history is an international discipline. Our department offers the opportunity to intern or take classes abroad for bachelor students. For instance at one of our partnership universities in Ghent, Louvain, Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Münster, Rome, and Bern.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
Language requirement English: Minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
If you intend to start with a bachelor degree programme at the University of Groningen in September, make sure to apply before May 1 in Studielink. The degree programme will give you the option to participate in a matching activity to see if you and the degree programme are a match. Which matchings activity they provide depends on the faculty and programme.
Any questions about matching? Check www.rug.nl/matching
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 |
If you intend to start with a bachelor degree programme at the University of Groningen in September, make sure to apply before May 1 in Studielink. The degree programme will give you the option to participate in a matching activity to see if you and the degree programme are a match. Which matchings activity they provide depends on the faculty and programme.
Any questions about matching? Check www.rug.nl/matching
Specific requirements | More information |
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language test |
Minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. |
previous education |
Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university. Students with a Dutch 'hbo-propedeuse' diploma also need to meet the language requirements mentioned above. |
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 |
Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
---|---|---|---|
EU/EEA | 2020-2021 | € 2143 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2020-2021 | € 9500 | full-time |
EU/EEA | 2021-2022 | € 2168 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2021-2022 | € 10000 | full-time |
The Dutch government is halving tuition fees for first-year students in higher education.
Practical information for:
Art and Architecture are of great importance to society. There are many career opportunities, depending on your specialization, master degree and personal interests. Our Department's graduates pursue a wide variety of jobs and professions.
The term 'scholarly' or 'scientific' education points to the fact that research and teaching are connected. All faculty staff members are engaged in scholarly research in their respective areas. The classes you take are therefore partly based on current research within the Faculty of Arts.
Take a closer look at the current research in our department here.
After my Bachelor’s degree in Art History I decided to do the Art History Curator Studies Master’s track. I’m working at the Groninger Museum as a trainee curator and learning all about the profession. I am part of the museum’s team of curators and work on exhibitions from concept to realization. I also carry out research on the collection and contribute to publications. One of the projects I worked on was the exhibition on the life and work of H.N. Werkman (1882-1945). I worked with the guest curator to develop the concept, I arranged the loans of exhibits and everything relating to the logistics, design and construction of the exhibition. I really like the fact that my work is so varied. One day I’m busy setting up an exhibition, and the next I’m busy researching the collection.
I like the diversity
This programme encourages you to develop an analytical perspective and apply it outside the lecture halls, too. You learn a critical approach which enables you to see art and architecture in a wider context. The world of art is very dynamic, making it an exciting field of study. What I like about the degree programme at the University of Groningen is that you can specialize in an area that appeals to you. For me that is contemporary art. For my Bachelor’s thesis I’m investigating how the Groninger Museum supports regional artists. My supervisor is the director of the museum, who is also professor in Art History. I am also assisting a well-known Dutch artist in preparing his exhibition in the museum. This is a unique opportunity for me to get to know the museum world from the inside.
An exciting field of study
Read moreA lot of excursions during the first year
I became interested in art history because I was curious about the stories behind works of art. In the first year you learn about artistic movements, artists and their cultural context. The lecturers specialise in a wide range of subject areas. Because it is a small-scale degree programme, you are in close contact with the lecturers and other students. There are a lot of excursions during the first year and it’s great to see in real life what you learned about in class! I recommend joining Meander, the study association, which organizes lectures, excursions and get-togethers all year round. Groningen is a fantastic place to live and study.
Read moreI am particularly fascinated by the broad links between art, culture and politics.
I came to Art History through studying Italian. I found Italian art and culture so interesting that I decided to study these as well. I am particularly fascinated by the broad links between art, culture and politics. The link between Picasso and Apollinaire, for example, but also the importance of art for society, and the political message in art.
I was the chair of Meander, the Art History study association and am now headings its advisory board. This enables me to gain administrative experience and extend my network, but above all it is very instructive and enjoyable. Meander adds to the degree programme by organizing excursions and career days, and also parties and get-togethers.
Because I think it’s important to be actively involved in the degree programme I am a student member of the Degree Programme Committee. It is also useful to learn more about how the University operates.
I like to spend my free time with friends – going out for a meal, going to festivals and concerts. Luckily there is enough time to do this alongside studying and working for Meander.
Read moreThe study Art History is not a dry or tough study, but rather incredibly varied and challenging, with many different subjects and collaborations
Hello! My name is Jade and I am 20 years old.
I am currently in my third year of the Bachelor Art History. I love
having fun, I like to meet up with my friends and I like to have a
walk.
I grew up with art. I have smelled the smell of paint from an early age on in my parental home and in my mother's studio. Our dining table was covered with paint stains and brushes were scattered around our house. As a result, I became acquainted with museums and artworks at a very young age. This sparked my interest in art (history).
Art History was however not really my original study choice. After a few open days, I was sure that I did not want to study Art History, but after studying Philosophy for two weeks, I quickly longed for the arts. I then switched as quickly as possible. Art History turned out not to be a dry or tough study, but rather incredibly varied and challenging, with many different subjects and collaborations, for instance with the Minerva Academy of Fine Arts or the Arts, Culture and Media program. In addition, it is a small, personal study with many creative and interesting people, which leads to great collaborations and results.
Read
more about Jade Dijkstra and why she chose to study Art History in
Groningen!
Questions?
Send Jade an e-mail!
Are you at secondary school and want to know what studying at university is like? The Art History programme is offering a web class! This online course from the University of Groningen is specially designed for secondary school students.
Are you interested? Please register here.
Are you fascinated by art, landscapes, or architecture? Do you want to know why art is important to society? Do you have good writing skills? Then Art History is just for you! It is important that you do not immediately label an artwork as beautiful or ugly, but rather are curious about art and its ideas and underlying messages/concepts.
You will be offered study advice after the first year of study. You can expect a positive result if you have earned more than 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative result, you will not be allowed to continue with your degree programme.
You will receive preliminary study advice in December to make sure that you know where you stand. Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system. N.B. Some degree programmes use a tutoring system; please check with your study advisor.
The transition from high school to college comes with many changes. That is why you receive additional guidance during your freshman year.
A mentoring system is meant to ease your transition. Your mentor will teach you how to study effectively and how to make smart choices. You can also make an appointment with the study advisor. She can answer your questions about selecting coursework and other things. Everything you discuss with her is confidential. In case of complex problems, she can also refer you to the 'student deans' or the classes offered by Study Support.
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