After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• be acquainted with the foundations of art-history disciplines, basic research techniques, and methodological approaches
• recognise and analyse the most important works of art from World, European, and Central European art
• analyse selected art works from the perspective of the material aspects of the work, the technical treatment of the work, stylistic criticism, iconography, and function, and the ability to localise it in the period and location
• seek out and critically evaluate information which influenced the appearance and direction of the stylistic transformations (commissioner, confession, function, changes in technology, etc.)
• communicate various expressions of artistic and visual cultural to the public (written work, presentations accompanying pictures, small publications, articles, etc.)
• document and catalogue works of visual culture and understand the various basic methodological approaches (interpretation of form, iconography-iconology, reception-aesthetics and cultural-historical approaches)
• utilise the obtained skills of the art-history craft for writing their final Bachelor’s thesis.

Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree programme of Art History will be able to work in all professions requiring the application of a basic knowledge of the history of works of art both in the past and at present. These kinds of professions primarily consist of lower work positions in museum and gallery institutions, in monument care, and in additional cultural and educational institutions, or even in local administration bodies.

As a result of the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, graduates will be able to work first and foremost in administration and documentation of artistic artefacts (for example, as an assistant to a curator, documentalist, or custodian of a historical building) or in mediating art (as a guide in the area of tourism or a cultural editor in the area of the media, television, or radio).

Although the degree in art history prepares students for careers in the art world, it also equips them with intellectual and practical skills applicable to many different spheres of employment. At present when visual culture and an understanding of it play an increasingly important role in society, graduates can make use of their abilities in a range of additional professions (for example, in trade in art and antiques or in presentation and propagation of art work, and in publicity).

Students with very good results from their Bachelor's studies have the opportunity to continue with the linked Master’s degree program of Art History.

During standard Bachelor's studies, which lasts six semesters, students have to meet faculty-wide requirements (a minimum language ability, credits from philosophy and physical education) which are included into the overall number of ECTS credits.

Prior to the final exam, students have to obtain a total of 180 ECTS credits. The structure of the study curriculum is divided into required subjects (A type courses), selective subjects (B type courses), and elective subjects (C type courses):

Required courses consist of primarily introductory courses at the beginning of the studies. Attendance of core seminars is also mandatory (subject, methodological, and thematic) as is at least one practical course. Students have to pass one written exam after the first year (97 ECTS credits are needed in all).

Selective courses are offered in a sufficient number so as to allow students to choose from courses in thematic modules (architecture, early Medieval art, general art history from the Middle Ages to the present). Lectures deepen the knowledge of the periods of art history, art works, and artists. The programme also includes courses which provide practical training in partner museum and gallery institutions (40 ECTS credits are needed in all).

Elective subjects are subjects which can be chose from offerings of other subjects at the Art History Seminar, other subjects at the Faculty of Arts, or even at other faculties of Masaryk University based on their interests and focus (43 ECTS elective credits are needed in all).

The final Bachelor's exam takes places as a rule after successfully defending the final Bachelor's thesis. During the defence, the student should demonstrate an ability to discuss the issue being analysed in a cultivated manner and with critical terminology. They should be able to react in the discussion with their readers and carry out a general argument.

The final Bachelor's exam consists of visual and factual knowledge of art history over the entire range of the subject. Students prepare for the exam on the basis of the given exam questions. The study materials also include sub-questions which are aimed not only at factual knowledge, but also at the practical application of this knowledge by the future graduate in practice.

The exam is oral and is made up of four exam areas and one supplementary question:

(1) Art history from the late Classical period up to the late Middle Ages (sculpture art and painting).

(2) Art history of the Early Modern period up to the year 1850 (sculpture art and painting).

(3) Art history of the Modern period and the present.

(4) The history of architecture (from the pre-Romanesque architecture up to the Modern period).

(x) The supplementary question tests the knowledge from the list of mandatory critical literature.

Graduates from the Bachelor’s degree programme of Art History can continue in the linked Master’s degree in Art History after meeting the conditions of the entrance exam.