A*AA, or 41–42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge's listed requirements are for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Undergraduate · Cambridge History of Art
Cambridge History of Art: visual culture, written evidence and fit
Cambridge's History of Art is taught in front of real objects, with classes in museums and a short dissertation on a work in or around Cambridge in the first year. It asks for A*AA or the IB equivalent, names no required subjects and accepts Art & Design, but Colleges usually expect an A*/7 in an essay-based subject or language. There is no admission assessment, and four named Colleges ask for two pieces of written work. The decision is whether you want to study and write about art rather than make it. Everything cycle-specific here is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in History of Art
Taken from Cambridge's History of Art course page and its written-work and interviews pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
No specific subjects; Art & Design accepted
Cambridge does not ask for specific subjects and accepts Art & Design. However, Colleges usually require A*/7 in an essay-based subject or language. It recommends History, History of Art, English and languages for a strong application.
No assessment; two pieces of written work at four Colleges
There is no admission assessment for this course. Clare, Downing, Peterhouse and Robinson ask applicants to submit two pieces of written work.
Interviews are academic conversations
Interviews may be online or in person depending on the College, and you may be given material to read first.
Teaching in museums, and a first-year dissertation
Classes and lectures take place in museums. The first year includes a 5,000-word dissertation on a work of art or architecture in or around Cambridge.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: History of Art, BA (Hons) (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Written work and portfoliosundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: What to expect at your Cambridge interviewundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's History of Art course page and its written-work and interviews pages, which describes 2027 entry. Individual Colleges' written-work instructions and deadlines, the College-by-College interview formats, the Department of History of Art's own pages and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
Looking first, then analysing, across the world's art and architecture
Cambridge says History of Art explores art and architecture from around the globe and many periods, from antiquity to modern and contemporary art, and builds visual literacy and critical and analytical skills. It also says there is no substitute for looking at real objects, so classes and lectures regularly take place in museums, and there are trips to exhibitions and notable buildings. The first year has three core courses, Making of Art, Meaning of Art and Architecture and Objects of Art History, and a 5,000-word dissertation on a work of art or architecture in or around Cambridge. In the second year there is one compulsory paper, Approaches to the History of Art and Architecture, and four option papers. In the third year The Display of Art is compulsory, with four more options.
Is it for you?
Studying art, making art, or designing buildings?
The neighbouring courses have different aims.
Choose History of Art if
you want to study how art and architecture are made, what they mean and how they are displayed, and to write and present about objects you have seen.
Look at Oxford History of Art if
you want to compare approaches. Oxford requires an essay-based subject and asks for a marked essay and an object response; the Oxford guide in this series sets them out.
Look at Oxford Fine Art or architecture if
your priority is making work or designing buildings. Those are studio or design degrees with portfolios, not History of Art.
Reading the offer
No required subject, Art & Design accepted, and an essay-based subject expected
The offer is A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Cambridge asks for no specific subjects and says Art & Design is accepted, but adds that Colleges usually require A*/7 in an essay-based subject or language. For a student whose strongest subject is Art & Design, this is the point to check: the Art & Design is welcome, but it will usually need to be accompanied by a strong essay-based subject or a language. Cambridge recommends History, History of Art, English and languages for a strong application.
Written work and interviews
No assessment; two pieces at four Colleges
There is no admission assessment for this course. Clare, Downing, Peterhouse and Robinson ask you to submit two pieces of written work, and other Colleges will tell you if they require anything. Cambridge's general guidance is that work should be marked by your teacher, with comments, and be something you are happy to discuss. Interviews are academic conversations, online or in person depending on the College, and you may be given material to read first. Because the subject begins from objects, practise describing a real object closely before you interpret it.
A note on preparation
What Cambridge says about commercial interview services
Cambridge says some companies offer interview preparation for a fee, that these services are not endorsed by the University and have no exclusive information, and that all official guidance is free on its website. Avandy's support is independent and limited to helping a student understand the course and plan visual-analysis practice and the choice of written work.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Can you say what you see before you say what it means?
Choose an object or a building, describe it for ten minutes and then explain its context. Both skills are tested in the course.
Do you want to write more than make?
The course assesses essays, presentations and a dissertation. If you want to make work, think about a studio degree.
Which essay-based subject carries your application?
Know which of your subjects satisfies the expectation that Colleges usually set.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Grades, the absence of required subjects, the essay-based subject expectation and the absence of an assessment: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
UCAS deadline, written-work deadlines, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's History of Art course page and its written-work and interviews pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm which essay-based subject you will offer, keep marked essays you can discuss, and practise close looking at real objects and buildings.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here helps a student understand the course, plan visual-analysis practice and choose any submitted work; it does not write, edit or rewrite any submitted piece, and Avandy has no access to exclusive Cambridge information. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge History of Art entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level, with no specific subjects required. This is Cambridge's wording for entry in 2027 or deferred entry in 2028.
Is Art & Design accepted?
Yes. Cambridge says Art & Design is accepted, but Colleges usually require A*/7 in an essay-based subject or language.
Is there an admissions test?
No. Cambridge says there is no admission assessment for this course.
Which Colleges ask for written work?
In the cycle described, Clare, Downing, Peterhouse and Robinson asked for two pieces. Check the Colleges you are considering.
Is there a dissertation?
Yes. The first year includes a 5,000-word dissertation on a work of art or architecture in or around Cambridge.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge History of Art
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-based subjects and their experience of looking closely at objects, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.