Best universities for History of art, architecture and design (2026)

28 UK universities teaching History of art, architecture and design as a full-time degree, ranked on graduate pay, jobs, student satisfaction, students staying on and entry points.

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#	University	Score	Salary 5 yrs on	Working or studying	Satisfied	Typical UCAS
1	University of Oxford Oxford, South East · TEF Gold	64	£44k	81%	83%	184
2	University of Cambridge Cambridge, East of England · TEF Gold	61	£43.5k	81%	74%	184
3	University of St Andrews Scotland	59	£31k	90%	91%	184
4	UCL Camden, London · TEF Silver	57	£39k	82%	88%	152
5	University of Warwick Coventry, West Midlands · TEF Gold	57	£36.5k	85%	81%	136
6	University of Edinburgh Scotland	56	£37.5k	—	79%	168
7	University of Leeds Leeds, Yorkshire and The Humber · TEF Silver	55	£31.5k	90%	86%	152
8	University of Aberdeen Scotland	55	£28k	90%	100%	152
9	University of Bristol Bristol, City of, South West · TEF Silver	54	£37.5k	—	79%	136
10	University of Birmingham Birmingham, West Midlands · TEF Silver	54	£32.5k	88%	94%	136
11	University of York York, Yorkshire and The Humber · TEF Gold	54	£30k	89%	87%	144
12	University of Exeter Exeter, South West · TEF Gold	53	£35k	86%	77%	136
13	Courtauld Institute of Art Islington, London	53	£31.5k	90%	83%	152
14	Oxford Brookes University Oxford, South East · TEF Silver	52	£30.5k	90%	93%	104
15	University of Nottingham Nottingham, East Midlands · TEF Silver	51	£34.5k	82%	85%	120
16	University of Manchester Manchester, North West · TEF Silver	51	£31k	82%	86%	144
17	University of Essex Colchester, East of England · TEF Silver	50	£29k	100%	92%	104
18	University of Sussex Brighton and Hove, South East · TEF Silver	49	£25k	90%	94%	120
19	Glasgow School of Art Scotland	48	£28k	85%	82%	176
20	University of East Anglia Norwich, East of England · TEF Silver	46	£29k	85%	78%	120
21	Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester, North West · TEF Gold	46	£26k	85%	81%	136
22	University of Glasgow Scotland	44	£29.5k	90%	79%	152
23	University of Reading Wokingham, South East · TEF Silver	44	£27.5k	84%	91%	136
24	Goldsmiths' College Thurrock, East of England · TEF Bronze	42	£29.5k	85%	80%	152
25	SOAS University of London Camden, London · TEF Silver	41	£32.5k	80%	75%	136
26	Birkbeck, University of London Camden, London · TEF Bronze	40	£27.5k	95%	74%	72
27	Aberystwyth University Ceredigion, Wales	39	£26k	85%	76%	120
28	University of Brighton Brighton and Hove, South East · TEF Silver	38	£29k	65%	89%	104

How the score works: universities are compared within each subject on salary five years after graduating (27%), the share in work or further study (18%), student satisfaction (18%), students staying on (13.5%), typical UCAS points (13.5%, compared within each nation) and the TEF rating (10%, England). 50 is typical. Figures: Discover Uni (Office for Students, HESA), National Student Survey, Graduate Outcomes, HMRC LEO earnings; full-time first degrees.

Questions

What is the best university for History of art, architecture and design?

On our measures University of Oxford ranks first for History of art, architecture and design, followed by University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, UCL. Rankings depend on what matters to you, so compare pay, jobs and satisfaction.

Which university's History of art, architecture and design graduates earn the most?

University of Oxford: typical earnings of £44k five years after graduating (HMRC tax records).