Art History and Italian

Art History and Italian at the University of Kent is an interdisciplinary degree that combines the in-depth study of visual culture with the rich language and cultural heritage of Italy. This programme offers students a unique opportunity to explore the development of art, architecture, and visual media from ancient times through the modern era while simultaneously developing proficiency in the Italian language. Through this dual focus, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Italian history, society, and artistic achievements, enabling them to engage deeply with Italian culture both historically and in contemporary contexts.

The programme is designed to cultivate critical thinking, cultural awareness, and analytical skills through a diverse range of modules. In the Art History component, students examine a wide array of artworks, from classical sculptures and medieval paintings to contemporary installations, analyzing their aesthetic qualities, historical significance, and social functions. They explore themes such as the Renaissance, Baroque art, Modernism, and contemporary visual culture, gaining insight into the evolution of artistic styles and their connections to broader historical developments.

Concurrently, the Italian component strengthens language skills, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Italian. Students also study Italian literature, history, cinema, and current cultural issues, providing a well-rounded understanding of Italy's national identity and cultural dynamics. This combination lends students a distinctive global perspective, equipping them for careers in international arts and cultural sectors, translation, diplomacy, academia, or further postgraduate study.

The programme typically encourages experiential learning through museum visits, gallery tours, and potentially study abroad opportunities in Italy, allowing students to immerse themselves in Italian art and culture firsthand. Art History and Italian students benefit from expert faculty members with extensive research backgrounds and strong links to cultural institutions.

Graduates of this programme leave with a versatile skill set, including fluent Italian language abilities and sophisticated knowledge of art history, which are valuable in a variety of professional contexts. Overall, the degree aims to produce well-rounded individuals with a passion for Italian culture and a critical understanding of historical and contemporary art forms, ready to contribute to the global cultural and creative industries.

Detailed Course Facts

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

• 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.

Possible modules may include:

• HA355 - Introduction to the History of Art
• IT312 - History of Italian Cinema:The Legacy of Neo-Realism
• IT315 - Writing Italy through the Centuries:An Introduction
• 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
• IT301 - Learning Italian - Beginners
• IT308 - Learning Italian 3 (Post A Level)

You have the opportunity to spend a year studying or working in Italy, where you can improve your language skills and experience Italian 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 Italian by writing about art forms observed during the year abroad.

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 Art History and Italian program at the University of Kent is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of European art and culture, with a particular focus on Italian art and language. This interdisciplinary course combines the study of visual arts, architecture, and cultural history with the development of proficiency in the Italian language, enabling students to access original texts, artworks, and sources in their original language. The program aims to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and cultural awareness through a diverse curriculum that includes lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical language sessions.

Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to study a wide range of periods in art history, from ancient and medieval times through to modern and contemporary art, with a special emphasis on Italian art and its influence across Europe. The course explores key themes such as Renaissance art, Baroque masterpieces, modernist movements, and contemporary practices, providing students with a thorough understanding of historical contexts, artistic techniques, and cultural significance. In addition, the program emphasizes the appreciation of Italian language, literature, and cultural traditions, which are essential for a deeper comprehension of Italy’s artistic and historical landscape.

The program includes the option for placements, study abroad, or internships, allowing students to gain practical experience and immerse themselves in Italian cultural settings. The university’s strong connections with museums, galleries, and cultural institutions offer valuable opportunities for experiential learning. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects, exhibitions, and conferences, fostering academic development and professional readiness.

Graduates of the Art History and Italian program often pursue careers in galleries, museums, cultural heritage management, education, translation, or further postgraduate study. The program’s combination of arts and language equips students with versatile skills suitable for a range of careers that demand cultural literacy, language proficiency, and historical knowledge. Overall, the program provides an enriching academic experience that nurtures both academic and practical competencies, preparing students to become knowledgeable and engaged cultural professionals.