What can you do with an art history degree?

As an art history graduate, you might consider working within heritage as an obvious route, making full use of the rich knowledge you have accumulated during your degree. Heritage offers a number of exciting opportunities which focus on increasing public engagement and creating links between artists, researchers and audiences. You could work within a gallery setting (such as art gallery manager, exhibition officer and curator), or in a museum/ historical building setting (such as an archivist, conservator, museum education officer). Roles such as marketing, PR and education allow you to promote the gallery/museum world to the public (be it directly or indirectly) while still cultivating your interest in the arts and culture. Working within antiques, auction houses and fine art publishing houses are also potential avenues for utilising your passion in visual culture. If working within the heritage sector doesn’t appeal, you could consider roles with the broader creative industries where you can use your project management skills to pursue a career in the media, PR, events or marketing. 

If you want to share your passion for the importance of art still in modern society, along with what we can learn from it, you could become a teacher (primary, secondary, further education) or work within higher education as a lecturer or researcher. 

It’s worth remembering that many art history graduates take the skills they have learnt elsewhere and find their way into less directly related graduate professions including business, the environment, the civil service and the charitable sector.

With such a wide range of careers open to you as an art history graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future. 

Take a look at the Prospects, Target Jobs and professional associations websites for inspiration: 

Employment opportunities
Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth history graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience:

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys of 2017/18 and 2018/19. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 13 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Some of the careers chosen by art history graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to art history graduates:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a careers consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options.

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources.

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place. 

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops. 

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to art history such as Art Society or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.