BA (Hons) History of Art and Literature with a Year Abroad
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- VQ3A
- Typical Offer
- AAB (subject specific requirements apply)
- Contextual Offer
- BBB (subject specific requirements apply)
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Course Overview
Our course explores the intertwined histories of art and literature across different eras. You’ll examine the most significant European, British and American literature, and encounter thought-provoking artworks from around the world.
UEA’s innovative department of Art History, together with our prestigious School of Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing, are two of the most famous and highly regarded academic departments in the UK. You’ll study in the only Art History Department in the UK located within a world-renowned art museum, the Sainsbury Centre.
On this History of Art and Literature degree you’ll work across disciplines. You’ll explore the relationship between artistic movements, literature and the visual culture, and word and image. You’ll study the medieval period, the modernist era, and postmodernity. You’ll examine texts and artworks, including significant aspects of European art history. You’ll also explore the work of artists and material culture from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
You’ll study in Norwich, a UNESCO City of Literature with a vibrant contemporary writing scene. Great literature has been produced here since the 14th century when Julian of Norwich became the first woman to write a book in English. In more recent times, UEA graduates include Nobel Laureate Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, Booker Prize winner Ian McEwan, and Costa Award winner Emma Healey. Through our partnerships with local museums and galleries across East Anglia, you'll gain first-hand insights from museum and heritage professionals into the region’s creative and cultural past, as well as the contemporary challenges of art-making and exhibition.
We’re part of an international network for the study and display of art. This includes the Sainsbury Centre, Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. This network provides opportunities to connect you with local and national museums. Our graduates have gone on to rewarding and exciting careers in the cultural, creative, and heritage sectors. We look forward to you joining our community.
Year Abroad
This BA History of Art and Literature with a Year Abroad course gives you the opportunity to spend the third year of your degree studying with one of UEA's many partner institutions across the globe, which offers teaching in your subject and in English.
Destinations range from Japan to Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Canada and the USA. Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to broaden your academic and social horizons, giving you opportunities to develop your confidence and communication skills, while bringing a unique element to your CV that will help you stand out to prospective employers. Availability at our partner institutions does vary from year to year and we always recommend you bring an open mind about your destination preference. You'll also need to meet certain academic progression requirements (scoring an aggregate of 55% in your first- and second-year assessments). If for this or for any other reason you were to decide you were unable to spend your third year abroad, you can transfer to a three-year version of your degree at any time.
For further details, visit the study abroad section of our website.
Careers
Career Pathways
Recent graduates have entered several fields, including:
- Museums and art galleries
- Commercial art galleries
- The heritage sector
- Publishing
- Journalism
- Teaching/lecturing
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
As a History of Art and Literature graduate, you’ll be ready for a wide range of careers in the heritage industry, the art world, academia, art publishing and other areas of business. Your experience of studying in a world-famous art museum will give you a competitive edge.
Along with your expertise in History of Art and Literature, you’ll graduate with excellent transferable skills including high standards of writing, research and presentation, which will help with your future career in many different industries including museums and galleries, the art market, the Civil Service and teaching.
You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree either here at UEA or at another university. In the department, we work closely with the Careers Service, who will support you with advice on writing CVs and finding internships and will organise workshops and seminars with successful alumni.
UEA also harbours the UEA Publishing Project which, as well as publishing internationally excellent books, co-ordinates a range of internships, curriculum support, and other publishing related activities, including its own in-house student publishing project, Egg Box, to add to a multitude of other exciting activities to turn your love of literature into a foundation for your future career.
Study and Modules
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including English Literature or one of the below subjects:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Contextual offer: BBB including English Literature or one of the above subjects.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD plus A-Level grade B in English Literature or one of the subjects listed below.
Contextual: DDM plus A-Level grade B in English Literature or one of the subjects listed below:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3.
Contextual offer: Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Not accepted
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - History of Art with a Foundation Year or English Literature with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall including Higher Level 5 in English.
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including English Literature or one of the below subjects:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Scottish Highers
AAAAA including English Literature or one of the below subjects:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC including English Literature or one of the below subjects. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including English Literature or one of the below subjects:
English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall including Higher Level 5 in English
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You may need to pay some additional costs for optional field trips, which are subsidised by the department. You’ll also need to pay some costs for the field trip to Venice in the second year if you choose that option.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: