Occupational fields

Studying art history is a pathway towards a variety of interesting professions. However, as the number of art history graduates has been steadily increasing since the mid-1970s, the job market is competitive. The oversupply of jobseekers allows employers to demand additional qualifications that the study of art history alone cannot provide.

Students must therefore acquire both practical experience and knowledge of other fields during their studies. Desirable fields of knowledge include IT, public relations, additional foreign languages, economics and law as well as pedagogy. Following one own inclination towards such subjects is made possible by through the selection of subsidiary subjects and internships that place an emphasis on practical training.

For many art historians, much of the additional training they undertake only begins after they have graduated. Indeed, some careers, such as restorer or art dealer, are only possible to enter with the combination of an art historical background and another, additional form of education, and many people continue their studies while working in their chosen fields. Freelance art historians in particular often work across several fields. The specialisations chosen while studying often lay the foundation for the direction a career takes.

Studying art history is a pathway towards a variety of interesting professions. However, as the number of art history graduates has been steadily increasing since the mid-1970s, the job market is competitive. The oversupply of jobseekers allows employers to demand additional qualifications that the study of art history alone cannot provide.

Students must therefore acquire both practical experience and knowledge of other fields during their studies. Desirable fields of knowledge include IT, public relations, additional foreign languages, economics and law as well as pedagogy. Following one own inclination towards such subjects is made possible by through the selection of subsidiary subjects and internships that place an emphasis on practical training.

For many art historians, much of the additional training they undertake only begins after they have graduated. Indeed, some careers, such as restorer or art dealer, are only possible to enter with the combination of an art historical background and another, additional form of education, and many people continue their studies while working in their chosen fields. Freelance art historians in particular often work across several fields. The specialisations chosen while studying often lay the foundation for the direction a career takes.