History, Philosophy of Art and Philosophy

The BA (Hons) in History, Philosophy of Art and Philosophy at the University of Kent offers students a unique interdisciplinary approach to understanding the development and impact of human ideas, cultural expressions, and philosophical thought throughout history. This program is designed for students who are passionate about exploring the connections between historical events, artistic movements, and philosophical concepts that have shaped civilizations and continue to influence contemporary society. Throughout the course, students will examine a diverse range of topics, including ancient philosophy, medieval intellectual traditions, modern philosophical debates, as well as the history of art and visual culture from different periods and regions. The curriculum encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broad understanding of the cultural, historical, and philosophical contexts that underpin creative and intellectual achievements. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to interpret artworks, philosophical texts, and historical narratives with a nuanced perspective, fostering an appreciation for the complexity and diversity of human thought and expression. The program combines lectures, seminars, and independent research to provide a stimulating academic environment. Students will also have opportunities to participate in discussions, presentations, and collaborative projects, enhancing their communication and teamwork skills. With a flexible modular structure, the degree allows students to tailor their coursework towards specific interests, whether in the history of art, philosophical theories, or historical periods. Graduates from this program will be well-equipped for careers in education, museum and gallery work, cultural heritage management, arts administration, publishing, or further academic research. The University of Kent provides excellent resources, including specialized libraries and access to a wide range of digital archives, to support students’ learning and research endeavors. Overall, this degree offers a comprehensive education that bridges the humanities disciplines, fostering a deeper understanding of how history, art, and philosophy intertwine to shape human experience across time.

Detailed Course Facts

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

Part-time EEA:£4500,Non-EEA: £6240

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:

• CP311 - The Tale
• HA315 - The Shock of the Now: Themes in Contemporary Art
• HA355 - Introduction to the History of Art

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

• HA594 - Photography and Intuition
• HA669 - Study of a Single Artist
• CL623 - Minoan Art and Architecture
• HA504 - Classicism and Baroque
• HA507 - Reading the Image
• HA554 - Contemporary Art:From Warhol to Whiteread: Postmodernity & Visual Art Pr
• HA575 - Beauty in Theory Culture & Contemporary Art
• HA595 - Visual Arts Writing
• HA580 - Camera, Light and Darkroom: Intro to Black & White Photography
• HA650 - Russian Painting from the Academy to the Avant-Garde
• HA655 - Surrealism and Photography
• HA661 - Art & Film
• HA666 - Drawing on History
• HA668 - Transatlantic Dialogues: British and American Art c. 1900-1970
• CL609 - Roman Art and Architecture
• ART500 - Independent Project
• CL608 - Greek Art and Architecture
• CP656 - Shakespeare's Afterlives
• CP644 - Creatures of the Night: Vampires in Literature and Film
• CP646 - Prize Winners
• CP650 - Decadence in Fin-de-Siecle Europe
• CP652 - Postcolonial Images of Africa and South Asia
• CP510 - The Text: Approaches to Comparative Literature
• CP518 - The Book and the Film: Adaptation and Interpretation
• CP527 - Medieval Literature and Culture
• CP530 - Marriage, Adultery and Divorce in 19th Century Fiction
• CP531 - The Renaissance
• CP609 - Modernism and the European Avant-Garde
• CP611 - Postmodernism
• CP624 - The Shoah in Literature, Film and Culture
• CP627 - Science Fiction: History and Innovation
• CP629 - Second Thoughts: Women Novelists from Bronte to Jelinek
• CP632 - Reason and Passion in 18th Century European Fiction
• CP636 - European Realism
• CP642 - The Epic: From Homer to Walcott

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

• CL608 - Greek Art and Architecture
• ART500 - Independent Project
• CL609 - Roman Art and Architecture
• HA668 - Transatlantic Dialogues: British and American Art c. 1900-1970
• HA650 - Russian Painting from the Academy to the Avant-Garde
• HA580 - Camera, Light and Darkroom: Intro to Black & White Photography
• HA595 - Visual Arts Writing
• HA599 - Surrealism and Photography
• HA648 - Drawing on History
• HA575 - Beauty in Theory Culture & Contemporary Art
• HA579 - Visual Arts Internship
• HA554 - Contemporary Art:From Warhol to Whiteread: Postmodernity & Visual Art Pr
• HA556 - Art and Film
• HA507 - Reading the Image
• HA504 - Classicism and Baroque
• HA670 - Study of a Single Artist
• HA594 - Photography and Intuition
• CL653 - Minoan Art and Architecture
• CP642 - The Epic: From Homer to Walcott
• CP636 - European Realism
• CP641 - SWIPE Undergraduate Conference
• CP632 - Reason and Passion in 18th Century European Fiction
• CP629 - Second Thoughts: Women Novelists from Bronte to Jelinek
• CP627 - Science Fiction: History and Innovation
• CP624 - The Shoah in Literature, Film and Culture
• CP611 - Postmodernism
• CP609 - Modernism and the European Avant-Garde
• CP531 - The Renaissance
• CP530 - Marriage, Adultery and Divorce in 19th Century Fiction
• CP527 - Medieval Literature and Culture
• CP518 - The Book and the Film: Adaptation and Interpretation
• CP510 - The Text: Approaches to Comparative Literature
• CP652 - Postcolonial Images of Africa and South Asia
• CP653 - Comparative Literature and English & Linguistics in the Classroom
• CP650 - Decadence in Fin-de-Siecle Europe
• CP647 - Prize Winners
• CP644 - Creatures of the Night: Vampires in Literature and Film
• CP656 - Shakespeare's Afterlives

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Careers

Comparative Literature

Studying Comparative Literature and History & Philosophy of Art, you learn to think critically, develop the skills of close reading and effective communication, and gain confidence and experience in expressing your ideas. These key transferable skills are essential for graduates as they move into the job market.

Comparative Literature graduates have found jobs in diverse areas including journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing and teaching, as well as in banking, marketing analysis and project management. A significant percentage of our students pursue further study for postgraduate qualifications.

History & Philosophy of Art

A degree in History & Philosophy of Art enables you to explore the history, meaning and nature of the visual arts, while also giving you the skills for a career in the arts industries and elsewhere.

In terms of careers in the visual arts, the following are just some of the areas our recent graduates have entered: archivist and art historian; art librarian; arts shipping and insurance; arts therapy; auctioneering; craft studio workshop management; community arts/project development work; art dealing and brokerage; valuer; gallerist; heritage management; independent curator/art consultant; journalism; picture/provenance researcher; and photography.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 75(Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test : 85

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

• ABB

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 16 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 a range of programmes in Philosophy, including specialized tracks such as Philosophy of Art and History of Philosophy. These programmes are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of philosophical ideas, historical contexts, and critical thinking skills. The Philosophy courses cover a broad spectrum of topics, from ancient philosophical traditions to contemporary debates, allowing students to explore fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reality. The Philosophy of Art stream focuses on examining aesthetic theories, the nature of beauty, and the philosophical interpretation of artistic practices, including visual arts, literature, music, and performance. It aims to cultivate analytical skills and a deep appreciation of both philosophical concepts and artistic expressions.

The History of Philosophy component traces the development of philosophical ideas from pre-Socratic thinkers through to modern philosophers, enabling students to understand how historical contexts influence philosophical thought. The programme features lectures, seminars, and practical sessions that foster engaging discussion and critical analysis. Students are encouraged to develop their own philosophical arguments, critically evaluate diverse viewpoints, and apply philosophical methods to contemporary issues. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme allows for interaction with related fields such as history, art, literature, and cultural studies, enriching students’ understanding of philosophical ideas within broader societal and cultural contexts.

Academic staff members are experienced researchers and practitioners, providing mentorship and guidance throughout the course. The programme typically includes assessments such as essays, presentations, and examinations, designed to develop students’ analytical and argumentative skills. Students graduating from these programmes often pursue careers in academia, education, arts and culture, journalism, or related fields that require critical thinking and analytical abilities. The programmes are suitable for students with a keen interest in exploring philosophical questions related to art, history, and human thought, and who are eager to engage with complex ideas both historically and philosophically. The university provides excellent resources, including libraries, research centers, and funding opportunities, to support student learning and scholarly activities in Philosophy, Philosophy of Art, and History of Philosophy.