Course Overview

Do you want to study words and images in unison? 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 world-leading department of Art History and World Art Studies, 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 world-famous Sainsbury Centre, which was designed by Norman Foster. We’re the only Art History Department in the UK located within a world-renowned art museum.

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.

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. One of the many advantages of the network is the opportunity it provides 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 4-year version of the 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 3-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 a number of 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 art world, art publishing, the heritage industry, academia, 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’ll 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 with advice on writing CVs and internships. In the department, we work closely with the Careers Service to provide workshops and put on 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 below subjects:

BTEC

Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD plus B at A Level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Contextual offer: DMM plus B at A Level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

Extended Diploma: DDM plus B at A Level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Contextual: DMM plus C at A Level English Literature of one of the below subjects:

Diploma: DD plus B at A level in English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Contextual: DD plus C at A level in English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A level including English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Contextual: D plus BB at A level including English Literature of one of the below subjects:

BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers

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

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:

Scottish Highers

AAAAA including English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Scottish Advanced Highers

BBC including English Literature or one of the below subjects. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable

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.

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.

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

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).

A levels

AAB including English Literature or one of the below subjects:

BTEC

Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD plus B at A level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

Extended Diploma: DDD plus B at A level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Diploma: DD plus B at A level in English Literature or one of the below subjects:

Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A level including A Level English Literature or one of the below subjects:

BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers

International Baccalaureate

33 points overall including Higher Level 5 in English

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA 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, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Deferred Entry

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Book a visit to discover more

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

Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub. 

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:

How to apply through UCAS(opens in a new window)

BA (Hons) History of Art and Literature with a Year Abroad

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Course Overview

Year Abroad

Careers

Career Pathways

After the Course

Study and Modules

Entry Requirements

A levels

BTEC

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

Access to HE Diploma

T levels

Foundation Year options:

International Baccalaureate

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Highers

Scottish Advanced Highers

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).

A levels

BTEC

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

International Baccalaureate

Fees and Funding

Course Related Costs

How to Apply

Related Courses

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BA (Hons) English Literature with a Year Abroad

BA (Hons) History of Art with a Year Abroad

BA (Hons) Archaeology, Anthropology and Art History with a Year Abroad

BA (Hons) History and History of Art with a Year Abroad

BA (Hons) History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies with a Year Abroad