University of Cape Town campus

Arts & Humanities

Honours specialising in Art Historical Studies at University of Cape Town

University of Cape Town, South Africa

Programme overview

The BA Honours specialising in Art Historical Studies (126 NQF credits, HEQSF level 8) is a one-year programme in art history with a research essay.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities  |  Department: Michaelis School of Fine Art  |  Duration: 1 year full-time (2 years part-time for bona fide part-time students)  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Four taught courses and a research essay: Research Essay/Project and a Reading Course in Art Historical Studies, with electives such as Art Criticism and Aesthetic Theory, The Politics and Ethics of Collecting, Studies in the Historiography of Art and Critical Issues in Contemporary Art.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A major in Visual and Art History or in a cognate discipline. Acceptance is on the recommendation of the Head of Department. Faculty of Humanities (FH3): applicants need a Bachelor's degree with the equivalent of a major in the Honours subject from UCT, another UCT faculty or a Senate-recognised university, plus any additional programme requirements.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

The application fee is R100 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region, and R300 for applications from outside the SADC region; it is non-refundable and payable by direct deposit, EFT or credit card (online). UCT students and graduates are exempt except for GSB programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za

Explore more study programmes

View all study programmes →

Ready to start your study abroad journey?

Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.

Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.