| UCAS code | VW31 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Levels: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | VW32 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Levels: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | VW33 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Levels: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | VW34 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Levels: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
Overview
- Develop essential tools to interpret works of arts (including architecture and design) as well as images, objects and practices.
- Study traditional fine art and contemporary visual forms including painting, sculpture, illustration, architecture, film, video, performance and digital art.
- Learn to interpret visual images to enable your understanding of societies.
- Art, history and culture embedded on campus with the Exeter Northcott Theatre, Bill Douglas Cinema Musuem, Lemon Grove and Great Hall as music venues and student theatre Roborough Studios.
Top 15 in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design
12th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Internationally recognised fine art, heritage and film collections on site, including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Variety of approaches to learning, including study in the field at galleries and museums
Spend an intensive one week study trip in one of Europe’s renowned cultural centres
Top 15 in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design
12th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Internationally recognised fine art, heritage and film collections on site, including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Variety of approaches to learning, including study in the field at galleries and museums
Spend an intensive one week study trip in one of Europe’s renowned cultural centres
Having studied Art History at A-Level, I came to my degree expecting a very traditional course, focusing on old masters, and European works.
However, the breadth of specialism amongst the lecturers is phenomenal. The variety of module choices, despite being challenging, is something to be welcomed and contrasts with the more conventional course I had originally expected. The size of the course has actually been one of the most enjoyable elements of the degree as it enables you to get to know everybody and fosters a great environment that makes you feel at ease very soon after starting at university.
Alicia
BA Art History & Visual Culture
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | ABB | n/a |
| IB | 32/655 | n/a |
| BTEC | DDM | n/a |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. | N/A |
| T-Level | Distinction | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHV1006 | Visual Media | 15 |
| AHV1008 | Topics in Art History and Visual Culture I | 15 |
| AHV1011 | Questions and Methods in Art History and Visual Culture | 30 |
| AHV1012 | Approaches to Art History and Visual Culture | 30 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHVC Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 | ||
| AHV1005 | Inside the Museum | 15 |
| AHV1009 | Topics in Art History and Visual Culture II | 15 |
| MLF1121 | French Visual History | 15 |
| MLM1014 | Chinese Art and the Art of Living | 15 |
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHV2015 | Art History and Visual Culture Field Study for Blended Learning | 30 |
| AHV2002 | Debates and Contestations in Art History | 15 |
| AHV2007 | Contemporary Visual Practices | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHVC Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 | ||
| AHV2012 | Revolutions: Art and Society in France, 1770-1848 | 30 |
| AHV2016 | Contemporary Art and Curation | 15 |
| AHV2018 | Comics Studies: Histories, Methodologies, Genres | 30 |
| AHV2021 | American Photographs | 15 |
| AHV2022 | Animals in Nineteenth-century Art and Visual Culture | 15 |
| AHV2023 | Global Impressionisms | 15 |
| AHV2208 | Ideal Cities? Urban Cultures of Renaissance Italy | 15 |
| AHV2013 | Photography and Evidence | 15 |
| AHV2019 | Common Threads: Art, Craft and Activism | 15 |
| AHV2020 | Deconstructing the Dutch Golden Age: Nationalism, Exceptionalism and Decline | 15 |
| AHV2024 | Renaissances North and South: Italy and the Netherlands | 15 |
| MLM2003 | Chinoiserie and Europeenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe | 15 |
| EAS2089 | Creative Industries: Their Past, Our Future | 30 |
Typically, any placement year will take place in Year 3. If you are not taking a placement year please see the Final Year modules for year 3.
30 credits of compulsory Dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHV3000 | Art History and Visual Culture Dissertation | 30 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHVC Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 | ||
| AHV3002 | Understanding Space in Renaissance Italy | 15 |
| AHV3007 | Global Modernisms | 15 |
| AHV3008 | Performance Art | 15 |
| AHV3009 | Paris to the World: Modelling the Modern City | 15 |
| AHV3012 | Installation Art | 15 |
| AHV3017 | 'Queen City of Europe': Art, Culture and Society in Renaissance Antwerp, c.1500-70 | 15 |
| EAF3515 | Something to See: War and Visual Media | 30 |
| EAS3245 | The 21st Century Museum | 30 |
| EAS3421 | Picturing the Global City: Literature and Visual Culture in the 21st Century | 30 |
| EAS3504 | Surrealism and its Legacies | 30 |
| HUM3015 | The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Britain and China | 15 |
| MLG3036 | Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria | 15 |
| AHV3013 | Art, Industry and the Modern, 1840-1900 | 15 |
| AHV3019 | Artists' Film and Video | 15 |
| AHV3018 | The Body in Art and Disability Studies | 15 |
| AHV3020 | Subjectivity and Storytelling: From Decorative Arts to Digital Futures | 15 |
| THE3229 | Syriac Christianity: Monks, Monasteries and Mimre | 30 |
Course variants
UCAS code: VW32
Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.
Why Study Abroad?
Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.
Where can I Study Abroad?
We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.
Does it count towards my degree?
Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your College Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.
How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?
For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your Study Abroad year.
UCAS code: VW33
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience?
Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Find out more
Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities.
UCAS code: VW34
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience Abroad?
Spending up to a year living and working in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. By carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements abroad you can demonstrate to employers your adaptability, cultural awareness, independence and resourcefulness and, depending on where you stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector and country you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fee?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Is the placement paid?
You will be paid in accordance with the rules of the country you work in and there may be visa restrictions or requirements which you need to consider when applying.
Find out more
Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
You will be taught by internationally respected staff, who are leading researchers in their specialisms. We use a wide variety of techniques and approaches including seminars, lectures, study groups and web-based learning, as well as valuable field study. We integrate the latest approaches with traditional learning and teaching to give you a varied and challenging programme. As you study the compulsory modules, you will learn through individual practical and project work, teamwork and a research project, all of which are designed to help you develop key skills for success throughout your degree and into your future career.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways but primarily through exams and coursework. Coursework includes essays, a dissertation and presentation work. The ratio of formal exams to coursework is on average 40:60 (depending on your choice of modules). Your first year doesn’t count towards your final degree classification, but you do have to pass it in order to progress. In order to be eligible for ‘with Study Abroad’ programmes, you will need to attain an average of 60 per cent or more in your first year. The assessments in the second year, year abroad (if applicable) and final year will contribute to your final degree classification.
Contact time
In your first year, you will receive a minimum of 10 hours of contact with academic staff per week. You will also be expected to attend other activities such as study groups, workshop activities and film screenings. Your total workload should average about 40 hours per week during term time. The exact amount of time spent working independently varies from module to module.
Research-inspired teaching
Teaching that is inspired by research ensures lectures are up-to-date and relevant: you will benefit from access to the latest thinking, equipment and resources. All options are taught by staff with expertise including art history, architecture, film, photography, visual media, art and technology, curation and exhibition, mixed and virtual realities, performance art and visual culture in the UK and abroad.
Academic support
All students have access to a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There are also several services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovation
- Law (Penryn Campus only)
- Leadership
- Management
- Social Data Science
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Studying Art History & Visual Culture equips students with a broad range of highly desirable transferable skills in analysis, critique, research and theoretical and practical creativity. These will prepare you to enter a wide variety of professions. You will also develop specialist knowledge of everything from traditional art forms such as architecture and sculpture, to today’s visual practices such as film, video, performance and digital art. You will benefit from productive engagement with collections, institutions and art groups in the area, in tandem with the wider arts community in the South West and beyond.
Further study
The Art History & Visual Culture programme prepares its graduates to undertake postgraduate study or training in areas such as education, arts management and journalism, amongst others. Recent graduates have gone on to study:
- MA Publishing
- MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism
- MA Creative Advertising
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- MA Fine and Decorative Arts
- MA Marketing & International Management
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MA Stage and Event Management
Career support and pathways
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
Art History & Visual Culture graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates.
Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:
- Art Gallery Intern
- Brand Intern in fashion industry
- Civil Service Fast Stream
- Collections Information Officer
- Editorial Assistant
- Events Planner
- Marketing Intern
- PR Account Executive
- Researcher
- TV Promotions Assistant
