History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies

The History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies program at the University of East Anglia offers students a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of visual culture from antiquity to the present day. This interdisciplinary course combines the scholarly exploration of art history with practical training in gallery and museum practices, preparing graduates for careers in the cultural sector, including curatorship, curation, conservation, and gallery management. Throughout the program, students engage with a diverse range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, and contemporary media, critically analyzing their historical contexts, aesthetic qualities, and societal impacts.

The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical and practical learning, allowing students to develop skills in exhibition design, collection management, and public engagement. Students have access to the university's excellent resources, including specialized galleries, collections, and academic libraries, providing hands-on experience and real-world understanding of gallery and museum operations. In addition, the program encourages active participation in internships, collaborative projects, and research seminars, fostering professional development and networking opportunities within the cultural heritage sector.

The program is designed to cater to students with varied interests in art history and museology, offering modules in topics such as ancient and medieval art, modern and contemporary art, as well as specialized studies in curatorial methods and museum management. Faculty members are experts in their fields, guiding students through critical debates and recent developments in art history and museum studies. Graduates of this program emerge as well-rounded professionals equipped with both analytical skills and practical knowledge, ready to contribute to museums, galleries, art organizations, and cultural policy development.

With its strategic location and vibrant cultural scene, the University of East Anglia provides an inspiring environment for students passionate about the arts and cultural history. The program emphasizes independent research, critical thinking, and innovative approaches to understanding and managing visual culture, ensuring students are prepared to make meaningful contributions to the ongoing dialogues surrounding art and society. Whether pursuing further academic research or entering the workforce, students will gain the expertise and experience needed to thrive in dynamic and evolving careers in the arts.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10560 Year (EEA)
• EUR 14600 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The degree combines teaching in small seminar groups with lecture modules, giving great flexibility and allowing you to put together a programme of study which reflects your own particular interests. A spine of core modules running through the first and second years is designed to develop your understanding of the history of art as well as key terms and debates in its analysis, whilst acquainting you with both the history of museums and galleries and contemporary forms of curatorial practice. Relevant modules are taught on-site at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, the Norwich Castle Museum, and museums and galleries in London.

During the first year, lecture modules examine artistic techniques, materials and identities, as well as key themes and methods of interpretation in the history of art. A dedicated seminar module will introduce you to museum and gallery studies. You will also choose two optional seminar modules from a range which addresses art and architecture in diverse cultures and periods.

The second-year lecture modules focus on issues of visual display which will help you to understand the practices of museums and galleries, before exploring different methodological approaches to art-historical analysis from the eighteenth century through to the most up-to-date theories. A dedicated seminar module will familiarise you with contemporary museums and galleries. Optional modules in the second year allow you to develop your pre-existing interests, or to engage with cultures and art forms which may be new to you.

Third-year teaching is entirely through small-group seminar modules which involve the advanced and in-depth study of particular cultures and art forms. One of these modules explores contemporary curatorial practice. As in the first and second years, other modules can be chosen according to your own interests. The 9,000-word dissertation, on a topic of your own choice relating to the history of art and museums, and supervised by at least one member of the faculty, represents an important part of the final year and introduces you to the skills of academic enquiry, research and writing needed for postgraduate study.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 88

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

Requirements

• A Level: AAB-BBB including at least one humanities essay-based subject
• International Baccalaureate: 33-31 including at least one Higher Level humanities essay-based subject
• Scottish Highers: At least one Advanced Higher preferred in addition to Highers
• Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB-BBB including at least one humanities essay-based subject
• Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB-BBBBBB including at least one humanities essay-based subject
• Access Course: Please contact the university directly for further information
• HND: Please contact the university directly for further information
• European Baccalaureate: 80%-70% including at least one humanities essay-based subject

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.
Students will have the opportunity to meet with an academic individually on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.
We also welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.
We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

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 East Anglia.

The History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies program at the University of East Anglia offers students an in-depth exploration of the development of visual arts from antiquity to the contemporary period. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of art history, including the analysis of artistic movements, styles, and individual works, alongside the institutional contexts of galleries and museums. Students gain valuable skills in visual analysis, critical thinking, and academic research, which are essential for careers in art curation, gallery management, museum education, and cultural heritage sectors. The program combines theoretical coursework with practical placements, allowing students to acquire hands-on experience in exhibition planning, collection management, and public engagement. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to develop a global perspective on art history, engaging with diverse cultural expressions and artistic traditions. The university collaborates with various galleries and museums, providing opportunities for networking and professional development. The program is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in cultural institutions or to continue further academic research. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis and understanding the socio-political contexts of artworks, as well as exploring contemporary debates within the art world. The university’s vibrant academic community and extensive resources, including specialized libraries and collections, support student learning and research projects. Graduates of this program often go on to work in curatorial roles, galleries, museums, or pursue postgraduate studies in related fields, contributing to the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage.