BA in Art History and Visual Culture, University of Exeter

Exeter,

36 Months

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About this course

This course helps you develop essential tools to interpret works of arts including architecture, design, images, objects, and practices. You'll study traditional fine art alongside contemporary visual forms such as painting, sculpture, illustration, film, video, performance, and digital art. The program also emphasizes understanding societies through visual images, integrating art, history, and culture embedded on campus with notable venues like the Exeter Northcott Theatre, Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, Lemon Grove, and Roborough Studios. You'll have opportunities for field studies, including intensive trips to renowned European cultural centers, broadening your practical and analytical skills in visual culture.

Why this course is highly recommended

This course is top-ranked in the UK for History of Art, Architecture, and Design, placing 12th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. It offers the chance to engage with internationally recognized collections, including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, and to learn through diverse approaches like field studies and museum visits. The program is designed to develop both broad analytical skills and specific knowledge about art and visual practices, preparing students for careers in arts, culture, and beyond. The welcoming environment, small class sizes, and strong linkages with cultural institutions make it an excellent choice for students passionate about art and history.

Specialisation

The course encompasses a broad range of modules across art history and visual culture, covering topics from traditional art forms to contemporary art practices, including media like digital art and performance. Students can explore modules like Inside the Museum, Contemporary Visual Practices, and Global Modernisms, with options for research projects and special topics such as art in the Dutch Golden Age, urban cultures of Renaissance Italy, and Surrealism. The program also offers variants with study abroad, employment experience, or combined options for a more tailored educational journey.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

26.07L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants should meet typical entry requirements of ABB at A-Level, 32/655 in IB, or DDM at BTEC. Specific subject requirements apply, and applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in English through Profile B2 tests. The course spans three years for full-time study, with options for study abroad or employment experience extending to four years. The curriculum includes compulsory modules across all years, as well as optional modules allowing specialization and research in specific areas of art and visual culture.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL

PTE

DUOLINGO

120

Career prospects

Graduates of this program develop highly useful skills such as analysis, critique, research, and creativity, which are valued in many sectors. Recent alumni work in roles like art gallery intern, collections information officer, marketing and PR, media research, and event planning. The dedicated careers service supports students in securing employment or further study, with many employers actively targeting Exeter graduates for their broad skills and cultural knowledge. Opportunities also include postgraduate study in education, arts management, journalism, and related fields.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements for this course?

Typically, applicants need ABB at A-Level, 32/655 in IB, or DDM at BTEC. Specific subject requirements must be met, and English language proficiency is also necessary.

Are there options for studying abroad or gaining work experience?

Yes, the program offers variants with study abroad (VW32), employment experience within the UK (VW33), or abroad (VW34), allowing you to extend your degree to four years with international exposure or practical experience.