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The Story of European Art at the V&A: 500BCE to 1250
Year course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Ready to embark on a fascinating journey through the Story of European Art? Join us to travel back in time, from the awe-inspiring wonders of the Ancient world to the sparkling mosaics of the Byzantine Empire and beyond…
In this 3-term course, you will join experts at the V&A to deep dive into the rich history of Art in Europe from 500 BCE to 1250 CE. Tracing this amazing story back to its roots in the ancient world, you’ll ground your understanding of European art in the historical, social and political shifts which shaped it. As well as curator and expert-led lectures, you’ll get exclusive access to gallery talks, object study sessions, artist demonstrations and more – all designed to enrich your learning experience with the V&A’s incredible collections for inspiration.
Ready to find out more? Scroll down for a term-by-term overview. You can also find the detailed programme for term 1, Antique to Early Christian, here.
This course runs on Tuesdays across 3 x 10-week terms at V&A South Kensington, between Tuesday 29 September 2026 and Tuesday 29 June 2027. Plus, you'll get extra time to catch up with your lecture recordings and resources once each term ends.
Interested in what comes next? This course is part of a 3-year course series taking you on a journey through European Art from 500 BCE right up to 1925. To see details on the full series, click 'download syllabus'. And why not check out The Story of European Art at the V&A 1250 to 1650 and The Story of European Art at the V&A 1650 to 1925!
For more details on how our courses work, see V&A Academy FAQ
This course runs on Tuesdays across 3 x 10-week terms at V&A South Kensington, between Tuesday 29 September 2026 and Tuesday 29 June 2027. Plus, you'll get extra time to catch up with your lecture recordings and resources once each term ends.
Interested in what comes next? This course is part of a 3-year course series taking you on a journey through European Art from 500 BCE right up to 1925. To see details on the full series, click 'download syllabus'. And why not check out The Story of European Art at the V&A 1250 to 1650 and The Story of European Art at the V&A 1650 to 1925!
For more details on how our courses work, see V&A Academy FAQ
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Course Directors
Dr Kathy McLauchlan & Dr Sally Dormer
Dr Kathy McLauchlan graduated at Oxford University and the Courtauld Institute, and specialises in 19th-century art history. Dr Sally Dormer is a specialist medieval art historian with an M.A. in Medieval Art History and Ph.D. on Medieval illuminated manuscripts from the Courtauld Institute.
I really enjoy the course and find them very informative Previous V&A Academy Course Attendee
V&A Academy. A learning environment you can trust.
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Spend time with our incredible collections, as well as with our expert tutors and your fellow learners.
Course overview
Term 1: Antique to Early Christian
From Homeric myths depicted in vases and sculpture, to the lavish decorations of Pompeii: discover the wonders of the classical tradition, and venture into the afterlife of the ancient world to learn how artists re-interpreted classical themes and motifs to develop Christian visual vocabularies, as the Roman Empire fragmented and Christianity’s influence grew.
Term 2: Early Middle Ages
Ready to unlock the glittering secrets of this often-overlooked period in art? Chart a course through the turbulent power shifts of the medieval world, and discover its rich artistic variety – from the epic architecture of Santa Sophia in Constantinople to the intricate beauty of Anglo Saxon illuminated manuscripts, through the shifting sands of successive empires and iconoclasm.
Term 3: Romanesque to Gothic
Explore the glorious variety of Romanesque and Early Gothic art: from the gilded enamels of the Meuse valley, to glittering mosaics in Norman Sicily, and the soaring vaults of Chartres Cathedral, and uncover a revolution in figurative art prompted by seismic shifts in theological philosophy, urban and commercial growth, and increased literacy.
Term 2: Early Middle Ages
Ready to unlock the glittering secrets of this often-overlooked period in art? Chart a course through the turbulent power shifts of the medieval world, and discover its rich artistic variety – from the epic architecture of Santa Sophia in Constantinople to the intricate beauty of Anglo Saxon illuminated manuscripts, through the shifting sands of successive empires and iconoclasm.
Term 3: Romanesque to Gothic
Explore the glorious variety of Romanesque and Early Gothic art: from the gilded enamels of the Meuse valley, to glittering mosaics in Norman Sicily, and the soaring vaults of Chartres Cathedral, and uncover a revolution in figurative art prompted by seismic shifts in theological philosophy, urban and commercial growth, and increased literacy.
Enrol now
Year course: The Story of European Art at the V&A: 500BCE to 1250
29 September 2026 - 15 June 2027
£1,600.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
