The Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship bridges the gap between art history as an academic discipline and the practicalities of curating collections and exhibitions.
The degree locates the study of art in a range of historical, social, cultural and political contexts. You can focus on Australian, Asian and International art, both historical and contemporary, and participate in intensive art history courses taught overseas. You will be able to deepen your understanding of art practice through courses drawn from the School of Art & Design and be exposed to the museum environment through tutorials at national cultural institutions.
Archaeology unlocks the mysteries of humanity’s past. Archaeologists discover and excavate archaeological sites and interpret the material recovered from them.
Our well-regarded degree is specifically designed to prepare you for a successful career in archaeology, either as a researcher or heritage consultant.
You will be trained in methods of archaeological investigation and develop both skills, experience and knowledge of fieldwork, museums and heritage and community engagement. Unique to Australia, this degree takes a global outlook on the practice of archaeology and the production of knowledge about past societies.
Throughout the ANU Bachelor of Archaeological Practice you will have exciting opportunities to participate in local or international fieldwork experiences.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
Employment Opportunities
Art history and curatorship has a strong career orientation. Many of our graduates have taken up key positions in art galleries, museums and other cultural institutions. Some are in teaching positions relating to their specialisations, while others have entered the commercial world of culture and art. With a strong emphasis on critical analysis, research, problem solving and communicating with audiences in diverse ways, this degree provides valuable training for future managers in the arts, heritage and collections sectors, and more broadly across the public service and private enterprise.
Art history and curatorship has a strong career orientation. Many of our graduates have taken up key positions in art galleries, museums and other cultural institutions. Some are in teaching positions relating to their specialisations, while others have entered the commercial world of culture and art. With a strong emphasis on critical analysis, research, problem solving and communicating with audiences in diverse ways, this degree provides valuable training for future managers in the arts, heritage and collections sectors, and more broadly across the public service and private enterprise.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and critique the historical, social, cultural and political contexts of art.
- Understand the relationship between art history, art theory and curatorial practices.
- Evaluate and investigate the structures and practices of public cultural institutions through active engagement with museums and galleries.
- Demonstrate practical knowledge of the processes associated with caring for collections and developing exhibitions.
Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Archaeological Practice, graduates will be able to:
- Undertake archaeological fieldwork using different techniques and approaches to locate, map, record, collect and excavate archaeological materials by determining the conditions in which those techniques and approaches are optimal.
- Critically analyse archaeological materials. This includes the examination of human remains, artefacts, archaeo-fauna and archaeo-flora, archaeological sediments and other materials.
- Apply interpretative approaches and skills including archaeological theory and quantitative analysis.
- Design research frameworks and practise their application.
- Reconstruct archaeological sequences and culture histories, and environmental archaeology.
- Identify aspects of archaeological interpretations of human evolution and culture change.
Admission Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.
- ATAR:
- 80
- QLD Band:
- 10
- International Baccalaureate:
- 29
Domestic applicants
→ School leavers will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
• the co-curricular or service requirement, and
• any program specific requirements that are listed below.
→ Non school leavers:
a) will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
b) Non school leavers who:
• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or
• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or
• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,
will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.
International applicants
Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.
Diversity factors & English language proficiency
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Adjustment Factors
ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $38,400.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning
ARTH3001 Curatorial Practice
12 units from completion of curatorship courses from the following list:
ARTH2044 Art and Its Context: Materials, Techniques, Display
ARTH2045 Curatorship History and Evolution
ARTH3057 Art and Politics of Collecting
36 units from completion of art history and theory courses from the following list:
ARTH2043 Modernism and Postmodernism in Art and Design: 1850-2000
ARTH2044 Art and Its Context: Materials, Techniques, Display
ARTH2045 Curatorship History and Evolution
ARTH2050 Photography and Art
ARTH2052 Art of the Modern Print
ARTH2056 Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia: Tradition and Transformation
ARTH2059 Art of Asia: Histories and Traditions
ARTH2061 Postmodern Sublime
ARTH2080 Art and Visual Culture of the Long Eighteenth Century, 1660-1815
ARTH2081 Art of the European Courts, 1500-1815
ARTH2082 Art, War and Conflict
ARTH2093 Post-Colonial Discourses in Australian Art
ARTH2097 Victorian and Edwardian Art: Australia and Europe 1837-1914
ARTH2098 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
ARTH2104 Asian Art In-Country
ARTH2160 Cartographies: Art Exploration and Knowledge
ARTH2161 Contemporary Australian Art
ARTH2162 Cyberculture
ARTH2164 Theories of the Object
ARTH2165 Theories of the Image
ARTH2166 Individual Research Unit
ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design
ARTH2168 Renaissance and Baroque Art
ARTH2169 Introducing Asian Modernisms
ARTH2170 Contemporary Asian Art
ARTH2171 Australian Art: The Modern Period
ARTH3057 Art and Politics of Collecting
ARTH3004 City Sites: studies in art and urbanity
SCRN2001 Moving Pictures: Genre and Theory in Screen Studies
Either:
24 units from completion of one of the following language minors:
Or:
24 units from completion of courses listed in the following majors and minors:
In the case of the Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship courses will not be double counted. If the same courses are included in the study requirements of both programs within an FDD, Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship students are advised to seek course substitution advice from the relevant Convenor.
The Bachelor of Archaeological Practice flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:The Bachelor of Archaeological Practice flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
ARCH1111 Archaeology Uncovered
ARCH1112 From Origins to Civilizations
A maximum of 30 units from completion of courses from the following list:
ARCH2004 Australian Archaeology
ARCH2007 Archaeological Laboratory Methods
ARCH2041 Introduction to Environmental Archaeology
ARCH2052 Archaeology in Film and Fiction
ARCH2060 International Archaeological Field School Extension
ARCH2061 Archaeological Field Methods
BIAN2015 Human Skeletal Analysis
HUMN2051 Introduction to Cultural Heritage Management
A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
ARCH2055 Archaeological Fieldschool
ARCH2059 International Archaeological Field School
A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
ARCH3000 Research Design and Analysis in Archaeology
ARCH3023 Thinking through the past: archaeological theory from 1950
ARCH3026 History of Archaeology: Discovering the Past
ARCH3028 Archaeology of Death and Mortuary Practices
ARCH3029 Making-Taking-Using-Breaking: Material Culture Studies and Technology in Archaeology
ARCH3030 Archaeology of Ritual and Religion
ARCH3108 Animals, Plants and People
BIAN3010 Scientific Dating in Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies
48 units from completion of two of the following minors:
Advanced Forensic and Evolutionary Archaeology Minor
Advanced Global Archaeology Minor
Advanced Environmental Archaeology Minor
Majors
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship Minors
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice Minors
Study Options
| Year 1 | ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space 6 units | Language Minor or Major/Minor List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 1 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
| ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning 6 units | Language Minor or Major/Minor List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 1 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
| Year 2 | Curatorship List Course 6 units | Language Minor or Major/Minor List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 1 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
| Curatorship List Course 6 units | Language Minor or Major/Minor List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 1 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
| Year 3 | Art History and Theory List 6 units | Art History and Theory List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
| ARTH3001 Curatorial Practice 12 units | . | Archaeological Practice Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | |
| Year 4 | Art History and Theory List 6 units | Art History and Theory List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
| Art History and Theory List 6 units | Art History and Theory List 6 units | Archaeological Practice Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Specialisation 2 2000/3000 level Course 6 units |
Honours
For information about honours, please Bachelor of Archaeological Practice (Honours)
Single degree
This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab. Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.
For the Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship you will need to complete:
- Four compulsory courses (24 units)
- Two curatorship courses from the designated list (12 units)
- Six art history and theory courses from the designated list (36 units)
- 24 units from Language minor or major/minor List
- Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)
Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.
Double degree
This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab. Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.
Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.
You will need to complete:
- Four compulsory courses (24 units)
- Two curatorship courses from the designated list (12 units)
- Six art history and theory courses from the designated list (36 units)
- 24 units from Language Minor or Major/Minor List
Please note that you are only permitted to count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.
Enrolment Status
While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.
If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.
You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship half of the double degree.
In your first year you need to enrol in:
- Following compulsory courses:
- ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space (Semester 1)
- ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning (Semester 2)
- 1000-level courses from the Language minor or major/minor.
- Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.
Electives
For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. If you have an interest in another discipline, for example management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in your area of interest. In particular look at the majors and minors. These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.
If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details.Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tabStudy Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Single degree
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice program consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or elective minor.
You will need to complete:
- Two compulsory courses (12 units)
- 36 units of courses to be made up from courses specified in the three electives lists
- Two minors from the list of minors (48 units)
- Eight electives (48 units) from across the ANU
- You can only count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your degree.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for your degree. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and plan your next three years.
Double degree
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice Double degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor Archaeological Practice degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or elective minor.
You will need to complete:
- Two compulsory courses (12 units)
- 36 units of courses to be made up from courses specified in the three electives lists
- Two minors from the list of minors (48 units)
- You can only count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for your degree. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and plan your next three years.
Enrolment Status
If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
While it's possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree.
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
You are recommended to take your 1000-level courses in your first year. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234. You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.
You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your double degree.
In your first year you need to enrol in:
- Courses for both First Semester and Second Semester (8 courses for full time)
- Following compulsory courses:
- ARCH1111 – Archaeology: Finding treasure and history (First Semester)
- ARCH1112 – From Origins to Civilizations (Second Semester)
- Electives from courses specified in the electives lists
- We recommend the remaining courses to make up your eight be 1000-level (don’t forget to look for 1000-level courses in your minors)
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
See available minors for this program.
You are not required to take a major in the Bachelor of Archaeological Practice degree, however you can use your electives to make up a major or extra minors.
Electives
For your electives (48 units from completion of elective
courses offered by ANU), these can be additional courses from your discipline (including
the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. You may
wish to seek advice from the relevant college that offers the course. Courses
coded in the 1000 range are first year courses and most first year courses do
not have any prerequisites – details of any prerequisites will be listed in the
relevant course entry. If you are interested in undertaking a language and have
prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a
placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further
details.
Study Options
Bachelor of Archaeological Practice - Single Degree
A typical study plan for the first year as follows:Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | ARCH1111 Archaeology Uncovered 6 units | Archaeology Elective 2000-level cours 6 units | Elective 6 units | Elective 6 units |
| ARCH1112 From Origins to Civilizations 6 units | Archaeology Elective 2000-level cours 6 units | Archaeology Elective 2000-level cours 6 units | Elective 6 units |