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Course review
Review by: Rebecca N
University: The University of Edinburgh
Course: History Of Art
Year of study: 3rd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
12
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Most people who do History of Art won't have done History of Art for A level.It's helpful if you have.I don't think it really matters what A levels you choose although essay subjects are probably better so that you are used to writing essays.
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I have always been fascinated by art, whether in doing art myself or studying it, so doing a History of Art degree was the obvious choice for me. I also did it for A-Level so already knew that I would enjoy the subject at uni.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
I wish I had known that the first year would be so much based on the A-Level as I think I might have chosen to go straight into 2nd year, although it was nice having an easy year!!
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
Usually I will have two lectures and a tutorial each day, which really isn't all that much but you are expected to be doing reading and researching for essays etc in your own time.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
You are required to do some but it's not very much and is easily manageable. The majority of reading required is for tutorials which can be quite a lot but varies week to week. It depends how prepared you want to be, as the tutors on the whole are very keen for everyone to voice an opinion and debate over topics, therefore doing the reading will be very helpful!
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
I love the fact that at Edinburgh nearly all of the tutorials are held in one of the numerous galleries in Edinburgh. You are constantly faced with the art of the artists that you study and so are given a huge advantage of having personal contact. Therefore are able to form your own opinions, not just those of critics and writers.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
I found that for the first two years my subject was very broad and you didn't have any choice in what you studied. There were times when I was faced with subjects in which I was hugely disintersted so making me less inclined to do the reading etc. I also found that the first year was mainly a repetition of my A-Level, so I was often quite bored, although I realise that most people won't have taken a History of Art A-Level and therefore it was necessary to get everyone to the same point.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
The facilties are very good, there are libraries for each subject as well as the enormous main library which has just been renovated. The buildings are really nice apart from a few and I can't think of anything that I have needed facilities-wise that isn't available.
Academically I think the university may have fallen in standards slightly, especially in Languages dept. due to cuts in staff but overall it is still academically strong.
Explain how you expected your course to be and how it compares to how it actually is. Give an outline of the content of the course.
Different lecturers teach each different subject that you learn according to what they specialise in. The lectures are split into 3subjects; one is critical thinking (mainly art theory) and the other two vary each term and will range from Medieval to Islamic to Abstract art.
The tutors are usually doing PHDs, although some are also lecturers, and so will teach what they are specialising in, meaning that no two tutorial groups are learning about the same area, these areas are different to what you will learn in lectures and are alot more theory based. They are mostly hugely enthusiastic and usually everyone becomes involved in topic whether you find it fascinating or not.
Essays and coursework will be about your tutorial topics and exams are based on the lecture material.
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Other reviews for History of Art
Lottie H, 2nd Year doing History Of Art at The University of Edinburgh
Fred K, 2nd Year doing History Of Art at University of Leeds
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University review
Review by: Rebecca N
University: The University of Edinburgh
Course: History Of Art
Year of study: 3rd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the The University of Edinburgh forum and see what people are discussing right now!
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
Edinburgh is an amazing university; the courses are well run, allowing you to gain a huge breadth of knowledge within your subject during the first two years which is then concentrated down into particular topics of personal interest to you. I think the university becomes better and better with each year, particularly within History of Art. There are so many different societies and things to do that the opportunity to meet people and find your talents is endless. Although the support within academic work is not always there, the expertise of the lecturers and enthusiasm of the tutors makes up for it and with each year personal contact with tutors and lecturers becomes greater. The city is one of the best cities in the UK, and although it can get pretty cold and snowy, getting to be in Edinburgh makes it worthwhile!
What is the academic life like at your university?
It depends which subject you do, some are harder work than others and some are more insular than others but for History of Art the work isn't too bad. You are constantly with other people and working with other people. The faculty isn't insular so your closet group of friends may not end up being from your subject.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Fresher's week was so much fun. It was hugely manic and you are constantly meeting new people and doing so much that by the end you are exhausted. Everyone goes out everynight and each halls has a rep who organises where you go and the entertainment each night (anything from pub crawls to toga parties).
There is a lot happening in the days as well, although most of the time was spent recovering and chatting to friends made on your floor or around halls.
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
Worst thing is the lack of feedback given by the university. Although your essays are marked and returned to you, the feedback given on them is very little and so its hard to know how to improve. The same goes for exams where the feedback is even less.
Best thing is the campus and the city; the uni is situated in the middle of the city, so there are things happening all the time. The city is beautiful, and is always buzzing and the general atmosphere of Edinburgh is really nice.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Anything you can think of, there are a ridiculous number of societies and if you can't find the one you want you can always start your own!
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
Nightlife is really good, there are loads of different clubs. You tend to keep going to the same ones in 1st year simply because they're where everyone goes but there are loads to choose from so you don't get bored. Socially it is quite alcohol orientated but if you join societies then obviously you will do a lot of other things that aren't.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
I absolutely love Edinburgh, the city is so beautiful and constantly has things going on meaning there is always somewhere to go or something to do. The people are really nice and the city has everything you need, as well as being a short train ride from Glasgow which is good for shopping and the odd night out.
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
First year I lived in halls of residence, and second year I lived in a flat with four friends. Halls was really good fun and definitely the best way of meeting people in your first year, although the food was pretty bad and the frequent fire alarms get annoying by the end! Living in the flat last year was really good, however you do lose contact with a few friends as its harder to see them.
If you are in a hall or college, is it catered or self catered? Which is better for the first year in your opinion and why?
My halls were catered. Although the food could be pretty bad, I would suggest going into halls for the first year and living in flats from second year onwards. Meals often were really fun and give you the oportunity to go and meet up with your friends after a day of uni. Usually when you get home at the end of the day you just can't be bothered to cook.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
£184.10 - 110.46 pw catered depending on whether you choose to share a room or how nice the accomodation you chose is. Self-catered ranges from £102.76 - £56.42 per week
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