About this program
BA Art History, Visual Culture and Media Studies
In a hyper-visual world increasingly dominated by ever-evolving forms of media, being able to understand and analyse the history and operations of visual and media cultures has never been more essential.
At Essex, you will explore a broad spectrum of art, visual culture and media, both past and present. You’ll learn about canonical forms of art and architecture and cover a range of visual culture, such as video art, medical photography, tattoos and objects from political protests. You’ll also study the various forms of contemporary media that shape our everyday lives, including film and television, photography, social media and advertising.
To study on our course, you don’t need an A-Level in art or art history. In fact, we believe that the best students of visual culture are those who bring fresh eyes and new perspectives to their objects of inquiry.
Admission requirements
Clearing entry requirements
Specific entry requirements for this course in Clearing are not published here but for most of our degree courses you will need to hold a Level 3 qualification. If you are interested in applying and have already received your results, use our Clearing application form to apply for 2022 entry and find out if you are eligible. You will be asked to provide details of your qualifications and grades.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Program content
Year 1
- Art and Ideas: I
- Media, Culture and Society
- Approaches to Film and Media
- Writing and Researching Art History
Year 2
- Art and Ideas II: More Art, More Ideas - Critique and Historiography in the History of Art
- Digital Society
- Photography in History
- Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step
Final Year
- Final Year Dissertation Project
- Mass Media and Modern Life
- Art and Ideas III
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available, please visit the university website for more information.
Program delivery
BA Art History, Visual Culture and Media Studies: 3 years
BA Art History, Visual Culture and Media Studies (Including Year Abroad): 4 years
BA Art History, Visual Culture and Media Studies (Including Placement Year): 4 years
- Close examination of texts written by historians of art and visual culture, media and culture theorists, film and art critics, and more
- Subsidised gallery visits to study works ‘in situ’ for art history modules
- Gain practical experience in curating, such as handling and installing artworks
- Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminar sessions or discussion classes
Tuition
- Home/UK fee: £9,250
- International fee: £17,700
Career paths
The visual arts and culture industries have become an increasingly significant part of the national and international economy, and our graduates leave Essex with the skills to take advantage of this growing opportunity.
Some of the sectors with jobs well suited for our graduates include: museums and galleries, auction houses, education (e.g. in schools, universities and cultural institutions), marketing and advertising, and new media.
We also work with the university's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
About this institute
University of Essex
We are Essex: home to the ambitious and the inquisitive. We are proud to be top 39 in the Complete University Guide (2022), a past University of the Year (THE) and internationally recognised for Social Sciences. We're committed to two...
