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What can I do?

What can I do with a degree in Art History?

Below are details of current careers of some of our past students, some of whom attend our annual Careers Event (2017) to speak to current students about their career paths and current duties. They also offered tips and advise to assist the students with their future plans.

Please see additional information on our other Careers pages.

As can be seen there are a wide range of opportunities for History of Art graduates - many of which you may not have considered.


Development Officer, Salisbury Cathedral

This position involves raising funds in a variety of ways for projects that fall outside the day-to-day running of the Cathedral- for example, the maintenance and conservation of the Cathedral building, the Library and Archives, the programme of art exhibitions and chorister bursaries and music.


Marketing Officer, The Commandery & Digital Marketing Assistant, Museums Worcestershire

These two marketing jobs involve web design, maintaining a digital presents, writing campaigns, designing and distributing fliers, press releases and using a CMR system. Deadlines are a very important part of these roles and the History of Art degree helped me to devise ways to ensure that these were met.


Development Assistant, The Almeida Theatre

The theatre is internationally renowned for producing work of the highest standard and achieving recognition through consistent critical acclaim. The Almeida is also a charity meaning that all of the money we earn is reinvested into the work that we create and our educational and community work.

I am part of the team who are responsible for generating around 1.7m a year in various ways including Trust and Foundations, Corporate Giving, Events and Memberships.


Volunteer and Community Outreach Officer, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Managing the recruitment, retention and recognition of the volunteer programme across our 5 sites, located in and around Stratford upon Avon. I train the Volunteer Supervisors who manage over 150 active volunteers each day. We are bound by an Act of Government to preserve and promote the life, works and times of Shakespeare. I help fulfil this by engaging with the local community through volunteering, including setting up family volunteering and corporate volunteering. My job also means that I deliver training to staff, I deliver presentations to the local community as well project updates to national leaders in the museums and heritage sectors. Part of my role also engages with the local community and promoting our accessibility project.


NPD Manager, HSNF Ltd

HSNF is predominantly an e-commerce business (www.justbeauty.co.uk) so I am enjoying the slightly different way of working. I have been brought in to develop and add products to their own brands which cover professional beauty, natural skincare and even organic foods.


Legal Practice Course, University of Law

I am currently in the final stages of post-graduate study at the University of Law. Last year I completed a law conversion course (the Graduate Diploma in Law) to convert my undergraduate degree into an LLB and I am currently on the LPC (Legal Practice Course) which is the final element of academic training for solicitors.

In a few months I will start working at my sponsor law firm, DLA Piper, as a Trainee Solicitor on a two-year training contract. During this traineeship I will complete “seats” (placements) and will also have the opportunity to undertake a client secondment or international secondment in one of the global offices (for example, Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Madrid and more…). Upon completing this training programme I will qualify as a solicitor, specialising in a particular area of law.


Medical Student, Warwick University

A very diverse and unexpected career decision but my History of Art degree allowed me to pursue a new avenue and I am currently at Warwick University on a medical degree, studying to become a doctor.


Library Operations Manager (LOM), King’s College London University

Library Operations Manager (LOM) at King’s College London University, managing a team of 18 staff across two libraries delivering a frontline library service. I also have operational responsibility for our Lending service across all 6 libraries, which includes over 970,000 printed books.
There are many different specialisations within libraries, some more resource-concentrated, whilst my role is focused on management and service development. The role is very diverse; communication is vital, not just within the different Library Services teams, but also within the wider university and external partners. I liaise regularly with stakeholders such as Estates, IT, the Students’ Union and the NHS.
Staff management is a major part of my role and requires a variety of skills and approaches including leadership, coaching, performance management and staff development. This is the most challenging and rewarding part of my role.


Fair Director / Events Director, British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA)

My key responsibility is the delivery of the BADA Fair which takes place each year in March on the King’s Road in six purpose built pavilions. The Fair offers members of the Association the opportunity to exhibit their stock in a prime location in central London. As the Fair Director I am responsible for the delivery of the event from the sale of stand space and build of the structure, through to the marketing, PR and budget management. In addition to this I oversee the delivery of the Association’s annual events programme including technical seminars, networking events and social gatherings. I line manage a team of two who assist in the delivery of this events programme.