Undergraduate Perspectives in the History of Art

Summer School modules are designed to be intensive, intellectually stimulating short courses. They are taught by King’s academics in academic disciplines where King's has expertise. Classes are highly international, giving students an opportunity to collaborate with peers from all around the globe.

Each module consists of 150 study hours, comprising 45 hours of intensive synchronous and asynchronous teaching, independent study and group work and is examined to university standards. Comparable to an in-semester 15-credit King’s undergraduate module and therefore typically awarded 3-4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS, many summer students ask their home institution to award them external credit for their King's summer module to use towards their degree programme when they return home.

Perspectives in the History of Art: Classical Traditions and Contemporary Revolutions will introduce students to a broad variety of works of art – from antique sculpture through to contemporary art – through a series of lectures, seminars, and exhibition visits. Through a double focus on new art and the Greco-Roman tradition, the module will demonstrate how the categories of ‘contemporary’ and ‘classical’ are less discrete – and less antithetical – than they often appear.  It will demonstrate how the sculptural forms and mythological themes of Greco-Roman antiquity have shaped the western artistic canon for two millennia, engendering ideas about the nature of art that endure to this day. The module will moreover show how contemporary art, a category that has typically been historicised in relation to the Modernist ‘ruptures’ of the past two centuries, is invariably rooted in theories and practices that found foundational expression in antiquity, and later the Renaissance.

Over the course of two weeks, students will be exposed to multiple instances of historical and contemporary art in a variety of locations in London and will moreover be introduced to some of the different ways in which the history of art (whether the longue durée development of the western tradition, or the more concise story of Modernism) has been told.

By the end of the module, you should have:

• Developed a closer awareness of some of the methodologies that have been deployed by art historians over the centuries (with a particular focus on classical reception)

• Developed an understanding of the different ways in which Greco-Roman antiquity has reverberated through the art of successive epochs and cultures

• Developed a sense of the embeddedness of the ‘contemporary’ moment within a larger historical picture.  

The King's College London Undergraduate Summer School is open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.

Entry requirements

• Open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.
• Minimum grade requirement of 2:1 degree equivalent. See International grade equivalents on our Undergraduate Summer School homepage, under Entry requirements.
• English language requirement of at least level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). See full English Language requirements on our Undergraduate Summer School homepage, under Entry requirements.
• Minimum age at the start of the course is 18 years old.

Essay (60%), Group presentation (40%)

Taught on-campus any time between the hours of 9am and 6pm from Monday to Friday. 

*Early application discount: prices apply for applications received by 23:59 GMT on 14 February 2025. Subject to availability at the time of application. From 15 February 2025, the standard 2025 tuition fees apply.

As per the fees listed above, booking two sessions receives a discount. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts of promotions. Subject to availability at the time of application.

More information on our fees, entry requirements and residential package can be found on the Undergraduate Summer School homepage.

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