Art History and Hispanic Studies

The BA (Hons) Art History and Hispanic Studies programme at the University of Kent offers students an in-depth exploration of the rich cultural, historical, and artistic heritage of the Hispanic world alongside a comprehensive study of art history. This interdisciplinary degree is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of Latin American and Spanish art, architecture, and cultural developments, integrating theoretical and practical approaches to the study of art. Students will engage with a diverse range of topics including medieval and Renaissance art, modern and contemporary artistic movements, as well as contemporary issues facing the arts in Hispanic countries.

The programme combines the study of Hispanic languages, history, and culture with rigorous training in art historical methods and analysis. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to develop critical thinking, research skills, and cultural awareness through lectures, seminars, and independent projects. Additionally, the programme encourages international perspectives and cross-cultural understanding, often incorporating field trips, exhibitions, and potential placements or exchanges with institutions in Spain and Latin America.

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Art History and Hispanic Studies will possess a unique combination of skills highly valued in careers related to the arts, cultural management, academia, international relations, and media. The programme is suitable for students passionate about art, history, and cultural studies and interested in exploring the Hispanic world's artistic contributions across different periods. The University of Kent ensures that students receive support from expert staff and access to extensive resources, including libraries, digital archives, and galleries, aiding their academic and professional development in this vibrant interdisciplinary field.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Total Kent credits: 360

Total Kent credits: 360

• English

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

HA355 - Introduction to the History of Art

HA314 - The Shock of the Now: Themes in Contemporary Art

HA315 - The Shock of the Now: Themes in Contemporary Art

HA316 - Thinking about Photography and its Histories

HA317 - Thinking about Photography and its Histories

LS300 - Learning Spanish 3 (Post A Level)

LS302 - Intensive Learning Spanish 1 (Beginners)

LS312 - Introduction to Hispanic Culture

LS313 - Introduction to Hispanic Culture

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Year abroad

You have the opportunity to spend a year studying or working in Spain, where you can improve your language skills and experience Hispanic art forms and culture first-hand. With the option of a dissertation in the final year, you may choose to focus on both Art History and Hispanic Studies by writing about art forms observed during the year abroad.

Careers

At Kent, we take the commitment to supporting and preparing our students for life after university very seriously. A degree in Art History enables you to explore the history, meaning and nature of the visual arts, while also providing the skills for a career in the arts industries and elsewhere.

Career options include museum curation, options in heritage and tourism, working as an archivist and art historian; art librarianship; arts shipping and insurance; arts therapy; auctioneering; craft studio workshop management; community arts/project development work; art dealing and brokerage; gallery work; heritage management; independent curation/art consulting; journalism; picture/provenance researching and photography.

You have the opportunity to undertake an internship and we offer all our students support with their CVs and personal statements. In this way, the degree offers both a strong grounding in the foundations of art historical study and an expansive approach to developing career skills.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification, Typical offer/minimum requirement

A level

• AAB

GCSE

• C in a modern European language other than English

Access to HE Diploma

• The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)

• The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

International Baccalaureate

• 34 points overall or 17 points at HL

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to support eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2015 entry support package has not been finalised. However, our 2014 financial support package included a £6,500 cash bursary. Find out more on our funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages. Please note that details of the scholarship for 2015 entry have not yet been finalised and are subject to change.

The University of Kent offers undergraduate programmes in Art History and Hispanic Studies, providing students with an in-depth understanding of visual culture, historical art movements, and Spanish language, culture, and literature. The Art History programme covers a comprehensive curriculum that explores European and global art from antiquity to the modern era, emphasizing critical analysis of artworks, contextual understanding, and appreciation of different artistic traditions. Students engage with a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, architecture, and contemporary visual culture, developing skills in visual analysis, research methodology, and academic writing. The programme aims to foster analytical thinking, cultural awareness, and historical perspective, preparing graduates for careers in arts administration, curatorial work, conservation, academia, or further postgraduate study.

The Hispanic Studies programme at the University of Kent provides students with language proficiency in Spanish, coupled with a thorough understanding of the literature, history, society, and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. This programme includes language modules that develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, often with opportunities for immersive experiences such as study abroad placements or language exchanges. The cultural component covers key themes and historical periods in Spanish and Latin American contexts, including topics such as colonial history, social change, migration, and contemporary issues. Students are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives through the study of literature, film, and cultural practices, fostering intercultural competence and critical awareness.

Both programmes incorporate flexible modular structures, allowing students to tailor their studies to individual interests and career goals. They also benefit from the university’s strong links with cultural institutions, including museums, galleries, and academic conferences, offering experiential learning opportunities. Employability skills are integrated throughout the courses, with a focus on research, presentation, and teamwork abilities. The university’s supportive academic environment, skilled faculty, and extensive resources—including libraries, archives, and digital collections—enhance the learning experience.

Graduates from these programmes have gone on to pursue careers in education, arts and culture sectors, international relations, publishing, tourism, and further academic research. The university’s strong reputation and comprehensive support services aim to ensure students' success during their studies and beyond. Importantly, both programmes emphasize critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and creative engagement with complex cultural phenomena, equipping graduates with both subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills suitable for various professional pathways.