Undergraduate study in Art History addresses not only the history of painting and sculpture, but offers instruction on a diverse range of topics such as photography, cinema, dress history, the art museum, popular culture, critical theory and aesthetics. This interest in various aspects of visual culture, and not just the traditional "fine arts", is reflected in the variety of approaches to the study of art history available within the Faculty of Arts. The main aims of the Honours year are: To enable students with an adequate background in Art History to pursue further study in one specialist area in more depth than is possible with a pass degree To enhance students' capacity for independent research and to acquire research skills appropriate to their area of specialisation. To train to a standard sufficient for enrolment in postgraduate research degrees, and for a specialist career. Achievement of first class or IIA honours allows direct entry to a PhD program.

An Honours year in Art History focuses on developing and consolidating the knowledge and skills acquired during undergraduate study, with particular emphasis on utilising those skills in a sustained and purposeful way by conducting independent research. Apart from content knowledge, employers and professionals value both the reliability and capacity for independent work, and the skill at writing substantial reports which are demonstrated by successful completion of Honours.