BA (Hons) HISTORY OF ART

This course is distinctive in its study of art as a global phenomenon. Through close engagement with artworks and small group teaching, you’ll gain detailed knowledge and understanding of the many ways people have created, displayed, and interpreted art from prehistory to the present day. Central to your learning is the opportunity to study at first hand the extraordinary collection of the Sainsbury Centre, a celebrated icon of modern museum architecture. 

About

On this degree programme, you’ll encounter engaging and thought-provoking artworks from around the world. Alongside significant aspects of European art history, our modules will also present you with the opportunity to explore the work of artists from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. From drawing to photography, painting to video, sculpture to performance, our inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to teaching will enable you to learn about how art has been made, collected, and exhibited across many different time periods.  

In your first year, you’ll establish firm foundations for the study of artworks and artefacts from diverse artistic and cultural traditions. Through the close study of artworks in a dynamic gallery environment, you will be introduced to a variety of critical ideas and methods that will enable you to cultivate key intellectual and professional skills. 

In your second and third years, you have the choice to develop your own individual interests by selecting study preferences from a diverse catalogue of optional modules. In addition to modules that address specific topics and themes in art history, the interdisciplinary character of our teaching staff enables us to regularly offer options that facilitate alternative approaches to the study of art and material culture, such as archaeological and anthropological perspectives. 

This course is delivered by UEA’s world-leading department of Art History and World Art Studies. Our main areas of research are the history of art and architecture in Europe and North America; the arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America; the archaeology and anthropology of art; and museum studies and cultural heritage. Staff specialisms include the art and archaeology of the climate crisis, postcolonial discourse, medieval visual cultures, artists’ photography and film, heritage studies, visual art and poetry, and contemporary art and exhibition making.    

We are part of a close network of internationally renowned centres for the study and display of art: the Sainsbury Centre, the Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. Students benefit from these networks as well as our links with local and national museums and galleries in Norwich, London and further afield. 

Placement Year and Study Abroad

You’ll have the opportunity to apply to spend the second semester of your second year studying abroad. Previous students have studied in Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States. Your time abroad will be an invaluable academic and cultural experience, one that most students consider to be the highlight of their time at university. Current opportunities are listed on the University’s Study Abroad page. 

After the Course

You’ll graduate ready for a wide range of careers in the art world, the heritage industry, academia, art publishing, teaching, and business. You’ll be equipped with sought-after skills such as independent and critical thinking, time management, teamwork, organisation and research skills, public speaking and more. Your experience of studying in a world-famous art museum will give you an edge in the sector. You will also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree either here at UEA or at another university. Our Careers Service is here to support you by advising with writing CVs and internships. In the department we work closely with the Careers Service to provide workshops and seminars with successful alumni. 

Career destinations

Recent graduates have entered a number of fields, including: 

• Museums and art galleries 

• Commercial art galleries 

• The heritage sector 

• Publishing 

• Journalism 

• Teaching/lecturing