Degree in Art History and Cultural Heritage

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Branch of knowledge: Arts and Humanities
Responsible Center: Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Teaching modality and Campus: Face-to-face Aranjuez
Credits: 240 ECTS. Credits year: 60. Duration: 4 years. Implantation: progressive, first year 2025-2026
Academic Calendar Opening hours Examinations Teaching Guides Faculty
Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ana Esther Santamaría Fernández

Student attention: 91 665 5060 Student Help Box Suggestions, complaints and congratulations mailbox

Basic Information

What knowledge will I acquire with this Degree?

The Bachelor's Degree in Art History and Cultural Heritage combines an understanding of artistic expressions throughout history with the acquisition of essential knowledge for their conservation and management. Through the analysis of works, movements, techniques, and historical contexts, a critical perspective is developed that allows each artistic expression to be placed in its social and cultural dimension. It also delves into the methods and tools necessary for the cataloging, protection, and dissemination of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, and encourages the application of digital resources and innovative approaches in the research and valorization of this legacy.

Through this training, students strengthen their ability to interpret and contextualize artistic production, while acquiring skills to design and coordinate exhibition projects, advise on collection management, and collaborate with museums, archives, and foundations. The interdisciplinary approach and solid humanistic foundation are geared toward the demands of the professional field and the response to the contemporary challenges of cultural conservation, dissemination, and utilization, while maintaining the importance of fostering attitudes of respect and appreciation for historical and artistic diversity.

Where will I be able to work when I graduate?

Upon completion of the Bachelor's Degree in Art History and Cultural Heritage, students will access a wide range of career opportunities related to the study, management, and dissemination of historical and artistic heritage. Opportunities arise in fields such as curating and organizing exhibitions in public or private institutions, as well as in cataloging and inventorying cultural assets, documentation, and dissemination in museums, banks, foundations, or any entity that develops cultural projects. Also contemplated are positions related to heritage research and virtualization, as well as cultural consulting and management of cultural industries.

In addition, access to postgraduate training is facilitated, allowing for specialization in conservation, restoration, or teaching, among other areas. This provides opportunities to actively collaborate with professionals from different disciplines, participate in cultural cooperation projects, and perform functions in the fields of tourism and artistic dissemination, always with the aim of protecting and enhancing cultural heritage in its many forms.

Is this Degree official according to the regulations required by the European Higher Education Area?

Yes (final verification report is attached), the implementation of the degree will be done progressively, starting the first year in the academic year 2025-26.
The final verification report turned out favourable.

What subject areas will I address in this grade?

The Bachelor's Degree in Art History and Cultural Heritage is structured around several core areas that encompass both the knowledge and analysis of artistic expressions and the management and conservation of cultural heritage. Briefly, the following thematic sections can be distinguished:

Diachronic study of art: the historical evolution and main artistic stages are examined from Antiquity to the contemporary world, focusing on various works, movements, artists, and cultural contexts.
Cultural heritage and museology: This course delves into the cataloging, protection, and dissemination of tangible and intangible assets, including aspects of museology, collecting, curating, and organizing exhibition projects.
Theories, sources, and methodologies of art history: conceptual tools and interpretation frameworks (iconography, iconology, aesthetics, critical approaches) are addressed, as well as resources for research and documentation.
Techniques, conservation, and restoration: artistic processes and materials are studied over time, along with methods used in the conservation and restoration of heritage works and objects.
Digital Humanities and Technological Resources: Digital methods of analysis, documentation, and virtualization (3D scanning, geographic information systems (GIS), databases) are introduced, applied to the study and dissemination of art and heritage.
History and Cultural Foundations: Complementary subjects are included that contextualize art in relation to historical, social, and cultural processes, thus reinforcing the comprehensive and multidisciplinary vision inherent to the degree.

Recommended Income Profile

No restrictions are imposed other than those currently in force (PAU), but it is desirable that prospective students possess interests and skills that facilitate the use of the training offered. These include:

Interest in artistic expressions and cultural diversity, with special attention to the preservation and enhancement of heritage.
Sensitivity to social issues and the historical evolution of different societies.
Ability to work in a team and ability to establish interpersonal relationships, fostering the exchange of ideas and the development of collaborative projects.
Initiative and curiosity for research and analysis of documentary and material sources.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing, as well as openness to learning new digital tools.

Objectives

The Bachelor's Degree in Art History and Cultural Heritage aims to train professionals with a deep, critical, and interdisciplinary understanding of artistic expressions and cultural heritage, enabling them to study, appreciate, conserve, and disseminate them. To achieve this, the following objectives are pursued:

To foster a critical and reasoned view of artistic production throughout history, paying special attention to the relationships between works, their creators, the social context that gave rise to them, and the audience that receives them.
Provide the necessary tools for the analysis and interpretation of sources and documents, as well as mastery of research methods and techniques, including digital resources and information systems oriented to the field of art history and heritage management.
Provide training in the design and execution of projects for cataloging, conservation, and restoration of cultural assets, integrating scientific criteria and social responsibility that guarantee the preservation of this legacy for future generations.
Promote understanding of the theoretical and conceptual foundations of the discipline, thereby recognizing the evolution of aesthetic thought, the development of various artistic movements, and their impact on societies throughout the ages.
Develop the skills required for the management and dissemination of artistic and cultural heritage, including curatorial skills, museography, and coordination of exhibitions and cultural events.
Promote effective communication, both oral and written, using the terminology and approaches specific to art history and heritage management, along with the ability to work in a team and collaborate with other humanistic and scientific disciplines.
To promote continued training and specialization through postgraduate studies or research, thus facilitating adaptation to a changing work environment with a high demand for professionals trained in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of art and culture.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

CON1	Know the main challenges related to respect for democratic values, equality, equity and tolerance of diversity, being aware of the cultural and linguistic diversity of different societies
CON2	Understand the diachronic structure of the past and its impact on cultural evolution, considering the main milestones of different eras.
CON3	Understand and interpret the main theories and critical approaches to art and image, identifying their theoretical evolution and impact on visual studies.
CON4	Describe and synthesize key developments in art history, contextualizing methodological changes and major academic debates within the framework of its historical evolution.
CON5	Learn the latest digital media and procedures for humanistic studies, and for the documentation, visualization, and dissemination of cultural heritage.
CON6	To understand the role of artists, curators, and art critics in promoting artistic works, both in the current context and from a historical perspective.
CON7	Understand the techniques and procedures of artistic production throughout history, identifying their historical and cultural contexts.
CON8	Understand and contextualize the fundamentals of museology and museography.
CON9	Understand the processes of collecting and the art market and how they operate, both currently and from a historical perspective.
CON10	To learn the techniques of conservation and restoration of artistic heritage and its historical evolution.
CON11	Explain the processes of artistic heritage management and its institutional protection framework.
CON12	Describe the fundamentals of iconography and iconology, understanding the analysis methods applicable to visual representations.
CON13	Understand social systems and cultural dynamics in historical contexts, understanding their interaction with artistic and cultural manifestations.
CON14	Explain the importance of art in the creation of collective and individual identities, understanding how artistic expressions have been used throughout history to reinforce ideologies, legitimize power structures, and represent cultural, religious, and gender diversity.
CON15	Describe the relationship between culture and landscape from a historical perspective, understanding current theories.
CON16	Know the vocabulary, codes and concepts specific to the artistic and cultural field.
CON17	Develop a basic understanding of research methodology in art history, identifying relevant sources for the study of artwork or heritage.
CON18	Understand the levels of analysis and specific methodologies for interpreting and describing artistic manifestations and cultural processes.
CON19	To understand European history from a comparative perspective, identifying common and divergent elements in its cultural and artistic evolution.
CON20	Understand and use vocabulary, syntactical structures, and communicative functions of the corresponding language (English, French, Italian, or German), of the student's choice.
CON21	To know the main artistic manifestations of Antiquity, understanding their social, symbolic, and religious functions.
CON22	To understand the main artistic manifestations of the Middle Ages, analyzing their relationship with religious traditions, symbolism, and the social dynamics of this period.
CON23	To understand the main artistic manifestations of the Modern Age, understanding their connection with humanism, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation processes, the development of the Academies, and changes in patronage systems.
CON24	To understand the main artistic manifestations of the Contemporary Age, understanding their interaction with the processes of modernity, the emergence of the avant-garde, and the debates on the autonomy of art.
CON25	To know the main artistic and cultural manifestations of non-European societies, understanding the impact of colonization processes from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
CON26	Understanding the dynamics of the art market and the role of galleries and museums in the dissemination of artistic heritage

Skills

HAB1	Apply scientific methodologies in art-historical analysis, integrating interdisciplinary approaches to interpret works of art in relation to their historical, cultural, technical, and symbolic context.
HAB2	Examine the relationship between artistic manifestations and other cultural phenomena through comparative and interdisciplinary studies, identifying interactions between art, society and thought
HAB3	Analyze the use of materials and techniques in artistic production, evaluating their impact on the durability, conservation, and restoration of the works, and on their aesthetic perception.
HAB4	Use critical analysis methods to interpret the historical and contemporary reception of works of art, assessing their cultural, social, and political impact.
HAB5	Evaluate the influence of different artistic movements over time, applying comparative methods to identify stylistic patterns and their evolution.
HAB6	Use advanced technologies and methods to document and analyze works of art and cultural heritage, including photography, 3D scanning, geographic information systems (GIS), and digital databases.
HAB7	Design strategies for the digital dissemination of cultural heritage, evaluating the effectiveness and accessibility of digital resources for diverse audiences.
HAB8	Apply iconographic analysis techniques to interpret and contextualize artistic images, identifying symbols, recurring themes, and their meaning in their original context.
HAB9	Critically evaluate the contributions of different theoretical and critical approaches to art history, applying them to the analysis and understanding of specific works in specific historical and cultural contexts.
HAB10	Implement advanced digital documentation and representation techniques, using computer tools to visualize and disseminate works of art and cultural heritage following scientific standards.
HAB11	Orally defend works prepared in the field of Art History and Cultural Heritage, demonstrating clarity, coherence, and a rigorous command of the subject.
HAB12	Demonstrate advanced instrumental mastery of the Spanish language, both spoken and written, applying it to the analysis, interpretation, and communication of academic, artistic, and cultural content.
HAB13	Properly utilize ICTs to engage with the global world and social media in the fields of humanistic studies, art history, and cultural heritage.
HAB14	Develop the ability to understand the artistic and cultural manifestations of different societies, present or historical, derived from the analysis of their social, political, and cultural context.
HAB15	Adopt a critical and respectful attitude toward artistic and cultural expressions, appreciating their diversity and their significance in their respective historical and social contexts.
HAB16	Apply knowledge of a foreign language (English, French, Italian, or German) and achieve the necessary level to obtain a certificate that meets the official international standards established for each of these languages (TOEIC, TFI, CILS, or ZD) and is sufficient to function in that language within the scope of the degree.

Competences

COM1	Develop professional activity with a critical vision with respect for human rights and democratic institutions, contributing to the development objectives linked to the diversity of languages, cultures and societies
COM2	Ability to critically assess the linguistic accuracy of oral and written texts related to Art History and Cultural Heritage, adapting the register to the medium and target audience.
COM3	Ability to evaluate historical and social contexts of the past, identifying their influence on artistic and heritage production, with special attention to political, religious, and economic factors.
COM4	Ability to identify and appropriately utilize sources of information for historical research applied to the fields of art and cultural heritage, while respecting ethical and scientific criteria.
COM5	Ability to design strategies for planning, supervising, and executing artistic heritage management projects, in compliance with international protocols.
COM6	Ability to engage in the design and planning of art exhibitions, from the selection of works and the conceptualization of themes to logistical and administrative management.
COM7	Ability to conduct detailed analyses of works of art, taking into account their historical, cultural, and technical context, and to develop reasoned critiques that highlight their aesthetic, symbolic, and functional values.
COM8	Ability to participate in the leadership and coordination of cultural projects that include the promotion, dissemination, and preservation of art, ensuring compliance with established objectives, regulations, and deadlines.
COM9	Ability to actively participate in academic and professional discussions on critical theories and approaches, presenting sound arguments supported by evidence.
COM10	Ability to plan and execute events and campaigns that promote understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage among diverse audiences, utilizing traditional and digital media to achieve broad and effective impact.
COM11	Ability to effectively apply theoretical knowledge acquired during academic training in specific professional situations, demonstrating adaptability and problem-solving skills.
COM12	Ability to analyze and address contemporary challenges in cultural heritage management, considering factors such as climate change, urbanization, and cultural policies, and proposing innovative and sustainable solutions.
COM13	Ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, integrating knowledge and skills to develop complex projects in the field of art and heritage, fostering creativity and innovation.
COM14	Ability to plan and implement educational programs and awareness-raising activities that promote knowledge and appreciation of art and cultural heritage among diverse audiences, using participatory and inclusive approaches.
COM15	Ability to prepare written academic papers based on the search, organization, integration, and analysis of information related to the learning acquired in the Degree.
COM16	Ability to analyze, structure, and communicate complex historical information, applying specific methodologies that allow for the interpretation of historical and cultural processes.
COM17	Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a foreign language and to work in diverse and multicultural environments in the professional field of Art History and Cultural Heritage.
COM18	Ability to make decisions independently and proactively in the professional field of art history and heritage management.

Minimum stay requirements

The permanence of the students in the Degree studies will be a maximum of eight years for full-time students. Part-time students may request an extension of up to two more years from the Rector.
In Bachelor's degrees lasting more than 240 credits (4 years), the maximum of the previous section will be increased by one more year for every 60 ECTS credits that are added to the 240 ECTS.
Students must pass a minimum of two subjects in the first year. Students studying part-time must pass at least one subject in their first academic year.
Students who are studying any official Bachelor's degree at the Rey Juan Carlos University may make a maximum of four registrations to pass each of the subjects of the study plan, without counting previous cancellations of the same.

For more information see: Permanence regulations

Minimum number of ECTS credits by type of enrollment and course

Full-time students:

COURSE	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
1º Course	48 ECTS	78 ECTS
Other courses	48 ECTS	78 ECTS

Part-time students:

COURSE	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
1º Course	24 ECTS	47 ECTS
Other courses	24 ECTS	47 ECTS

Access and registration

Access

Access to the official teachings of Degree will require to be in possession of the bachelor's degree or equivalent and the passing of the test referred to in article 42 of the Organic Law 6/2001, of Universities, modified by Law 4/2007, of April 12, without prejudice to the other access mechanisms provided for by current regulations.

The number of places offered for new admissions is: 60 places

Matriculation year

The enrollment process at the Rey Juan Carlos University is done through the Internet. You can carry out the procedures on the computers installed on campus or through any computer with network access. You can check the deadlines at registration , as well as the different requirements and necessary documents.

Training itinerary

Teaching Guides

ACCESS TO ALL UNIVERSITY TEACHING GUIDES

Training Itinerary

Material resources

External Internships

The External Practices subject is a curricular subject whose main objective is to promote a comprehensive training of the student through the practical application of the knowledge acquired during the Degree, which facilitates direct contact with the professional activity and the opportunity to join the professional world with a minimum of experience. All practices are designed so that the students who participate in them acquire professional experience in real situations and conditions, applying the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are acquired in the training processes throughout the degree. The internships represent a decisive opportunity for the personal development and professional future of the students.

Internships are activities carried out by the student in companies, institutions and organizations; that is, in centers outside the university premises, which aim to enrich and complement your university education, while providing you with a deeper knowledge about the skills you will need once you have graduated.

The External Practices subject will consist of two phases:

Completion of the internship period that offers professional experience related to any of the graduate profiles that are expressed in the Verification Report of the degree.
Elaboration of the memory

Documentation:

For more information: External Internship Unit

Social Security contributions for interns starting January 1, 2024

Academic Recognition of Credits

Regulations for academic recognition of credits in undergraduate studies

Mobility programs

ERASMUS

The Erasmus program makes it easy for URJC students -both undergraduate and postgraduate- to study one or several semesters at one of the European universities with which the URJC has agreements.

These exchanges traditionally have an economic endowment thanks to the Erasmus Scholarships provided by the EU and the Spanish Ministry of Education.

ERASMUS (intranet)

WORLD

The Munde program manages mobility with universities from countries not included in the Erasmus Program.

The possibility of obtaining a scholarship or economic endowment and its amount depends, in each case, on the agreements with the universities, countries or entities that sign it.

WORLD (intranet)

For more information:

URJC Mobility

SICK

SICUE is a national mobility program for GRADOS university students that allows them to carry out part of their studies at another Spanish university with guarantees of academic recognition, use and adaptation to their curricular profile.

SICUE Mobility

Student support programs

Orientation to future students. The University offers various orientation programs for future students: we carry out visits to high schools and secondary schools, we organize guided visits to the Campuses, we are present in the Classroom and, at the beginning of each course, we carry out welcome days to guide students new students.

academic tutorials. Each teacher carries out, within their teaching planning, academic tutorials on their subject.

Coordinator of the degree. It works to promote coherence and balance between the subjects and the workloads of the students.

mentoring program. The URJC has this program, peer tutoring, in which the students of the last years act as mentors with the first year students.

Students with disabilities. The Support Office for Persons with Disabilities offers guidance and assistance to students with special needs.

Scholarships . The Rey Juan Carlos University manages the main scholarships and annual grants, both its own and from other official bodies: Ministries, Community of Madrid, International Organizations and other entities. It also publishes and disseminates those scholarships and grants of interest to its students and graduates. Throughout the course, students receive information about them through the different communication channels established.

Job placement program. The Rey Juan Carlos University, through the External Internship Unit and the Graduates Office, organizes conferences, workshops and various actions aimed at supporting and guiding students in their job search, to improve their employability and promote job placement . The University has a Job Exchange -a platform available to companies and graduates- where institutions can carry out their selection processes.

Privacy Policy

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Academic Calendar

REGISTRATION

*The rates corresponding to double degrees with different degrees of experimentality will be applied as established in the new Decree 43/2022, of June 29, of the Government Council, which establishes the public prices for university studies leading to official degrees and services of an academic nature in the public universities of the Community of Madrid*

TRAINING PROCESS

EVALUATION

Regulation on the Assessment of Learning Outcomes (in force from 1 September 2024)
Review and claim of the evaluation (Regulations for the Evaluation of Learning Outcomes - Title VII)
Request for review and claim of the evaluation
Early call (Regulations on the Assessment of Learning Outcomes - Article 19)
Early call procedure
Compensation Court (Regulations for the Evaluation of Learning Outcomes - Title X)

Validation, adaptation of studies, recognition of credits and homologation of foreign qualifications

UNIVERSITY DEGREES

Extinction of university degrees

VISITING STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

TEACHING COORDINATION

Regulations for Teaching Coordination Positions

COEXISTENCE REGIME

Coexistence Regulations of the Rey Juan Carlos University for the Development of Law 3/2022, of February 24, on University Coexistence, approved by Agreement of March 30, 2023, of the Governing Council of the University

SCHOOL INSURANCE

School insurance

ASSOCIATIONS

Regulation of student associations

Quality guarantee

RUCT link

BOCM Link

Internal quality assurance system

Manual of the Internal Quality Assurance System

Composition of the commission

Composition of the Commission

Results report

Once the follow-up has been carried out, the quantitative information on the results obtained in the follow-up of said Degree is shown, differentiated by academic year.

Report by course:

General information collection plan

Within the quality assurance system of the Rey Juan Carlos University, the following surveys are planned:

- New students

- Teacher evaluation

- Student satisfaction

- Satisfaction of the graduates

- Labor insertion

- Causes of abandonment

- Career path:

Second year after graduation
Third year after graduation
Fourth year after graduation

- Degree of satisfaction:

Faculty with the campus and university
Teacher with degree
of the evaluators
Incoming student mobility program
Outgoing Student Mobility Program
Administration and services staff with the university

- External internships:

Student satisfaction
External tutor satisfaction
Evaluator satisfaction

Survey results:

Improvement actions

The Quality Assurance System of the Rey Juan Carlos University establishes that the degree's Quality Assurance Commission will annually analyze the information derived from the degree's indicators and prepare a report that will include improvement plans if the results so indicate.

Renewal of accreditation

The renewal of the accreditation represents the culmination of the implementation process of the official Bachelor's and Master's degrees registered in the Register of Universities, Centers and Degrees (RUCT). The renewal of the accreditation of official bachelor's and master's degrees is organized in three phases: self-assessment report, external visit and final assessment.

In the first phase, the university describes and assesses the status of the degree with respect to the established criteria and guidelines. The result is the Self-Assessment Report (IA) that is presented. The second and third phases are carried out by a group of evaluators external to the evaluated degree.

Tracking

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Professors and Researchers

2030 Agenda

Strategic plan

Admission

student office