Bachelor Master Doctorate

Art History

Abstract

The bachelor programme in Art History offers students the opportunity of learning about Art History over a broad time span, ranging from Art History and Classical Archaeology to History of Contemporary Art. Students can explore the periods which interest them most in greater depth.
This study programme is taught partly in French and partly in German. Students must take modules in both languages, which will vary from course to course, but they can prepare their presentation, coursework and exams in the language of their choice (in either French or German).
The programme is composed of core modules and more specialised modules. The core modules, compulsory for all students, provide basic knowledge on all periods of Art History. The more specific modules enable students to broaden their education in three of the four periods of Art History and they can choose an «Archaeology» option with a specific set of classes and internships, which gives them the opportunity of later pursuing a master's in Archaeology.

  • Show the study programme profile

    Profile of the study programme

    The bachelor programme in Art History offers students the opportunity of learning about Art History over a broad time span: History of Contemporary Art (20th and 21st centuries), History of Modern Art, History of Mediaeval Art (Western and Byzantine art) and Art History and Classical Archaeology. Students can explore the periods which interest them most in greater depth.

    Compulsory modules
    The compulsory modules consist of four courses. Each of these introductory modules corresponds to one of the four periods of Art History. Students thus obtain basic knowledge to help them understand and interpret works of art in relation to materiality, historical context and function. The aim of the course is to broaden the students' knowledge of the great stylistic traditions and the classification of works of art from antiquity to today. The methods of formal analysis and content, as well as the scientific approach to art, are one of the major pillars of the programme.

    Specialisation in Art History
    Students can choose three of the four modules offered. Each module deepens their knowledge and methods of analysis by exploring themes that are specific to the respective periods. Different methodologies and processes of interpretation are examined. Case studies are used to encourage a scientific approach to description, analysis and interpretation.

    Archaeology option
    The Archaeology option is based on modules three and four of the compulsory courses, and is consolidated through three optional modules. It first focuses on archaeological techniques and methods, including an introduction to archaeometry, and secondly teaches students about monuments, objects and the material and artistic culture of classical antiquity (Greek and Roman) while developing an anthropological approach. Most lectures are held in French, though some may be held in German.

    Learning outcomes and career openings
    This course aims to convey basic knowledge on all periods of Art History and to teach students about the critical use of diverse sources, interpretations, methods and theories. This knowledge prepares students for the professional world (in the domains of museums, the art market, culture and publishing, conservation of historical monuments, etc.) or for further research in a master's course.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

120 ECTS credits + 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen, 6 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/JpcAi (French)
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/6TFjB (German)

Comments

This study programme may be chosen jointly with the «Musicology and History of Opera» study programme worth 60 ECTS credits.

New study plans are being approved and will be effective for 2023's fall semester. The pedagogical project offered by the Department of Art History and Archaeology remains unchanged. Nevertheless, the modules included in the BA120 Art History, BA120 Archaeology, BA60 Art History and BA60 Archaeology study plans will be reorganised. As soon as they are approved, you will find the new study plans on this same page. If you have any questions, please contact the study advisors.

Admission

The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:

  • Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
  • Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
  • Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

A complete list of all further recognised Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities (in French and German only): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-admission-swisscertificates; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-admission-swisscertificates
Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if, among other things, the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:

  1. First language
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics
  4. Natural sciences (biology or chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography or history or economics/law)
  6. Elective (computer sciences or philosophy or an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)

The general admission requirements to the bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities: https://studies.unifr.ch/go/en-admission-countries
In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.
All guidelines are available at (only in French and German): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/adm-guidelines

The assessment of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the «Recommendations for the Assessment of Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates» adopted by the Chamber of universities of swissuniversities on 11.11.2021 (https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21fr; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21de). The admission requirements are valid for the respective academic year. The Rectorat of the University of Fribourg reserves the right to change these requirements at any time.

Alternatives

Also offered as a minor study programme (60/30 ECTS credits).

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Key points

Degree conferred

Bachelor of Arts

Languages of study

Study in two languages, in French and German

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department (see Contact).
An Archaeology option is also available for this degree programme.

Commencement of studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to further studies

This bachelor programme qualifies students for the master programmes Art History, Archaeology (with the Archaeology option).

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Art History and Archaeology
Dr Alexandre Varela (French)
alexandre.varela@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-art-history
Tobias Ertl (German)
tobias.ertl@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-art-history

Apply for admission

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