Art History (Including Year Abroad)

Art History (Including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers an immersive and comprehensive exploration of visual culture from ancient to contemporary periods across diverse regions. This degree program is designed to develop students’ critical understanding of artistic practices, historical contexts, and theoretical frameworks that underpin the creation and interpretation of art. Throughout the course, students will engage with a wide range of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, architecture, and digital arts, gaining insight into their social, political, and cultural significance. The inclusion of a Year Abroad allows students to experience international perspectives firsthand, study at partner institutions abroad, and enhance their intercultural communication skills, making them more versatile and globally minded graduates. The programme’s content is structured to balance theoretical knowledge with practical analysis, encouraging students to develop skills in visual analysis, historical research, and academic writing. The interdisciplinary approach incorporates aspects of archaeology, conservation, and curatorial studies, preparing students for careers in museums, galleries, academia, or the creative industries. The department employs experienced academics and industry professionals who utilize innovative teaching methods, including seminars, workshops, and digital resources, to facilitate engaging and dynamic learning experiences. Students are also encouraged to participate in field trips, exhibitions, and research projects that bring theoretical knowledge into real-world contexts. The programme emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and a nuanced understanding of visual culture, equipping graduates with the expertise to interpret and appreciate art within its historical and contemporary frameworks. Graduates of this programme will be well-positioned for further postgraduate study or employment in related fields, benefiting from a curriculum that combines rigorous academic training with practical insights into the art world.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.

Year 1
Art & Ideas
The Pre-Raphaelites: Revolutions in Art & Life
Dada & Surrealism between the Wars: Bad Dreams
Ways of Seeing
Collect, Curate, Display: A Short History of the Museum
Year 2
The Renaissance in Tuscany
More Art, More Ideas - Critique & Historiography in the History of Art
Picturing Paris: The Capital of the Nineteenth Century
After Impressionism: European Art from Van Gogh to Klimt
The Art of Exhibition: Salon, Biennal, Blockbuster (Available from October 2015)
Becoming Modern: European Art from Futurism to Surrealism
Art in Latin America I
Journeys Through Time & Space: Architecture & Urbanism
Year 3
You spend this year studying abroad

Year 4
Art & Culture 1945 - Present: Modern Art was a CIA Weapon
Art in Latin America II: Modern and Contemporary
History of Photography (NRG)
The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction: Film, New Media, Software
The Reinvention of Man & the World: Art & Architecture in High Renaissance Italy
Art & Ideas III: Aesthetics After-Kant
A third year dissertation project is also available as an option.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

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

Requirements

A-levels: ABB-BBB GCSE English: C
BTEC National Diploma: DDM in Fine Art
IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher level on a case-by-case basis)
Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

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 Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The Art History (Including Year Abroad) program at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive understanding of the development of visual culture from ancient to contemporary times. This interdisciplinary course combines historical analysis, critical theory, and visual analysis to develop a nuanced appreciation of art across different periods and regions. Students are introduced to a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, architecture, and newer media, fostering skills that are essential for careers in museums, galleries, research, curation, and academic research. The program emphasizes an international perspective, with opportunities to study abroad for a year, allowing students to immerse themselves in diverse cultural contexts and enhance their understanding of global art histories. During the Year Abroad, students may attend partner institutions and participate in internships, gaining practical experience alongside academic learning. The flexible course structure enables students to tailor their studies according to their interests, including modules on contemporary art, non-Western art, and critical theory. Assessment methods vary and include essays, presentations, exhibitions, and examinations, encouraging diverse forms of academic expression. The program benefits from the university’s modern facilities, including specialized laboratories, art libraries, and digital resources, which support research and creative practice. Faculty members are active researchers and practitioners who bring current scholarship and professional insights into their teaching. Upon graduation, students are well-equipped to pursue postgraduate study or enter careers in arts administration, curation, education, and cultural heritage sectors. The program also promotes engagement with community projects and exhibitions, providing practical experience in the art world. Overall, the Art History (Including Year Abroad) at Essex aims to develop informed, critically engaged individuals capable of analyzing and appreciating visual culture in a global context.