Subject : History of Art

Awarding body: AQA 2250

Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced GCE courses

Course content and examination requirements:

AQA’s new specification for History of Art (Art of the Western World) has been designed to:

Establish a framework for exploring aspects of Western art and architecture
Develop a foundation of knowledge and understanding of the subject
Encourages analytical discussion, historical research

The course consists of four modules. Two are studied in the first year and constitute an AS level, a further two are studied in the Upper Sixth to complete the whole A level.

Year 12 - AS Units	Year 13 - A2 Units (full GCE)
Unit 1 Visual Analysis and Interpretation 40% of AS level 20% of A level One hour written examination (60 marks) – questions are based on photographic images of works of art. The unit assesses visual skills and measures how a student can interpret works of art.	Unit 1 Investigation and Interpretation (1) 25% of A level One hour and thirty minutes written examination (60 marks) – this unit is an in-depth examination of paintings, sculpture and architecture of the Fifteenth Century in Europe.
Unit 2 Themes in History of Art 60% of AS level 30% of A level One hour thirty minutes written examination (90 marks) – questions test knowledge and understanding of significant art historical themes.	Unit 2 Investigation and Interpretation (2) 25% of A level One hour thirty minutes written examination (60 marks) – this unit is an in-depth examination of paintings, sculpture and architecture of the Sixteenth Century in Europe.

Year 12 - AS Units

Year 13 - A2 Units (full GCE)

Unit 1
Visual Analysis and Interpretation
40% of AS level
20% of A level

One hour written examination (60 marks) – questions are based on photographic images of works of art. The unit assesses visual skills and measures how a student can interpret works of art.

Unit 1
Investigation and Interpretation (1)
25% of A level

One hour and thirty minutes written examination (60 marks) – this unit is an in-depth examination of paintings, sculpture and architecture of the Fifteenth Century in Europe.

Unit 2
Themes in History of Art
60% of AS level
30% of A level

One hour thirty minutes written examination (90 marks) – questions test knowledge and understanding of significant art historical themes.

Unit 2
Investigation and Interpretation (2)
25% of A level

One hour thirty minutes written examination (60 marks) – this unit is an in-depth examination of paintings, sculpture and architecture of the Sixteenth Century in Europe.

Entry requirements:

History of Art as a subject in its own right is only studied in the Sixth Form and there are no specific entry requirements for the course. The subject demands a good command of English and the ability to analyse virtual symbols and to interpret them in relation to historical background or a particular artist’s life.

Relevance to further studies and careers:

Studying the History of Art enables students to pursue many options post A Level. These include careers in the fields of Education, TV, Film, Research, Conservation, Architecture, Museum and Gallery Work, Archaeology, alongside many courses that contain a strong practical element such as Fine Art or Photography.

Subject : History of Art

Awarding body: AQA 2250

Course content and examination requirements:

Entry requirements:

Relevance to further studies and careers:

Teaching staff / further information :

Mrs A Jones