UCAS V3F2, three years
UCL describes a three-year BA that studies works of art as physical objects, combining art history with materiality and technology.
Undergraduate · UCL History of Art, Materials and Technology
UCL History of Art, Materials and Technology: art as physical objects
UCL's History of Art, Materials and Technology BA shares the entry rules of its standard History of Art BA, AAB at A level or 36 IB points, but adds a focus on works of art as physical objects. The decision for a family is whether to study art through its meaning alone or also through how it is made and how it ages.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in History of Art, Materials and Technology
Taken from UCL's History of Art, Materials and Technology BA course page and read on 1 November 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAB with the stated subject conditions
The A-level requirement is AAB; an essay-based subject is preferred.
IB 36
17 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, and a higher level in an essay-based subject preferred.
Art as physical objects
UCL says the course focuses on works of art as physical objects, combining art history with questions of materiality and technology.
Science and analysis in the arts
UCL says teaching ranges across the application of science and analytic techniques in the arts.
Official sources
Read on 1 November 2026 on UCL's History of Art, Materials and Technology BA course page, which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, the fees pages, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The course
Materiality and technology alongside art history
UCL describes the MAT BA as combining knowledge of art history with questions of materiality and technology, focused on works of art as physical objects. The department's teaching reflects research expertise ranging across the application of science and analytic techniques in the arts, understanding technologies of vision and the materiality of contemporary art. This guide did not read module lists.
Is it the right degree?
Beside the standard History of Art BA
UCL's two History of Art degrees share their entry rules; the content differs.
Choose the MAT BA if
you want to study art as physical objects with scientific and technical analysis.
Choose History of Art BA if
your interest is the discipline broadly. Avandy's UCL History of Art guide covers it.
Look at UCL Chemistry if
your interest is scientific analysis itself. Avandy's UCL Chemistry guide covers it.
Entry rules
AAB, or 36 IB points, with an essay-based subject preferred
A-level applicants need AAB; an essay-based subject is preferred, and at least two A-levels from UCL's list of preferred subjects. IB applicants need 36 points: 17 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, and a higher level in an essay-based subject preferred. UCL's page lists no admissions test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Does the physical side of art interest you?
The course focuses on works of art as physical objects.
Are you comfortable with scientific analysis in the arts?
UCL says teaching includes the application of science and analytic techniques.
Are your grades near AAB or 36 points?
Those are the stated 2027 standards.
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 UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject requirements and the preferred-subject guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London 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 means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does UCL History of Art, Materials and Technology BA require?
AAB at A level, with an essay-based subject is preferred, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
36 IB points: 17 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, and a higher level in an essay-based subject preferred.
How does it differ from History of Art BA?
UCL says this degree focuses on works of art as physical objects, combining art history with questions of materiality and technology. Both pages show the same A-level and IB entry.
Do the entry rules differ from the standard degree?
No. Both pages show AAB at A level and 36 IB points with an essay-based subject preferred.
Does Avandy state offer scores?
No. This page records UCL's wording for 2027 entry and states no scores or probabilities.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about UCL History of Art, Materials and Technology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their interest in how art is made, whether they like scientific or technical analysis and how it compares with conventional History of Art, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.