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Admission Educational Programmes Undergraduate

Theory and History of Arts

50.03.03 In English and Russian

Level of education Bachelor

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 4 years

with the additional qualification ‘Tour Guide’

Programme description

The bachelor’s programme ‘Theory and History of Art (with the additional qualification "Tour Guide")’ contains both a theoretical and practical component. It enables graduates to: be well-versed in general issues in the history of arts; be capable of solving specific research problems; and use the experience gained in museum, architectural and archaeological, and field practice as well as training sessions at partner organisations. The programme is unique in that it provides an understanding of the history of arts as part of historical studies. This is ensured by courses in the history of Russia and general history. Students study the methods and approaches typical of the school of art history which has developed within the University over a century and a half.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates are awarded the additional qualification ‘Tour Guide’.

Main courses
  • Fine Art Techniques
  • Description and Analysis of Works of Art
  • Art of Ancient Greece
  • Art of Ancient Rome
  • Byzantine Art
  • Old Russian Art
  • Russian Art
  • Russian Wooden Architecture
  • Western European Art
  • Modern Art
  • Monuments of St. Petersburg Suburbs
  • History of Applied Art
  • Art of Armenia and Georgia
  • Fundamentals of Christian Iconography
  • Guided Tours and Tourism
Our advantages
  • The programme is aimed at training art historians with advanced research skills and analytical thinking, who can apply the methodological tools of modern art history and related sciences. Graduates of the programme meet the basic requirements in various fields of professional activity and can therefore be competitive in the labour market. They acquire the whole set of knowledge and competences necessary for this, and are capable of applying the gained academic knowledge and practical skills to various fields of activity: research, museum, display and exhibition, gallery, antiquarian and tour guide fields. The broad experience of communication with employees of potential employers, namely museums and libraries, acquired during training in the programme enables the graduates to adapt to the current labour market conditions.
  • Upon completion of the programme, graduates are awarded the additional qualification ‘Guide’.
Teaching staff
  • Evgeny Khodakovsky, Doctor of Art Studies, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of the History of Russian Art at St Petersburg University, Laureate of the All-Russian competition of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation ‘Young Teacher of Russia’, certified expert of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, expert in the history of Russian architecture, Russian and Scandinavian wooden architecture, and the art of the Russian North.
  • Ilya Antipov, Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor, certified expert of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Laureate of the Russian Government Prize (2015)
  • Anatolii Rykov, Doctor of Science (Philosophy), Candidate of Art Studies, Professor, one of the most renowned experts in contemporary art studies, the theory and philosophy of art; author of numerous papers and monographs; and visiting professor at several foreign universities
  • Mikhail Evsevjev, Candidate of History, Associate Professor, expert in the history of Russian art of the 19th and 20th centuries, author of numerous source publications on the history of Russian art.
  • Ekaterina Skvortsova, Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor, expert in the history of Russian art of the 18th century and Russian—European artistic relations; Principal Investigator of projects supported by grants from the Russian Science Foundation (2017–2019) and Presidential grants of the Russian Federation for young candidates of science (2019–2020)
  • Anna Morozova, Doctor of Culturology, Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor, expert in Western European art of the 15th to 17th centuries, with a particular focus on Spanish art and the history of art
Practical training and career opportunities

Training involves the following internships:

  • Museum practice at the Hermitage and the Russian Museum
  • Two field internships, including at Moscow State University
  • Architectural and archaeological practice at the Novgorod State Open-Air Museum

Professions

  • Auction house expert
  • Manager in art communication
  • Analyst and expert in gallery work 
  • Researcher
  • Archive worker
  • Museum worker
  • Librarian
  • Mass media professionals, including editorial offices and publishing houses
  • Specialist in historical, cultural and experiential tourism
  • Guide
  • Educator (children and youth leisure centres)
  • Educator (cultural and educational centres)
  • Educator (secondary schools and professional vocational education)

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Tuition

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The programme descriptions for the 2025/2026 academic year are currently being updated. Information regarding admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year is available on the St Petersburg University Admissions Committee website.

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