BA HISTORY OF ART AND LITERATURE
BA HISTORY OF ART AND LITERATURE
Study word and image in unison and gain a deeper understanding of the intertwined histories of art and literature. You’ll encounter the most significant periods and movements of European, British and American art and literature. At the same time, you’ll broaden your horizons by exploring the arts of other cultures, including those of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas.
On this course, you’ll benefit from the expertise of both the department of Art History and World Art Studies and the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. You will explore the intimate relationships forged between artistic movements both literary and visual, from the strong links between literature and the visual culture of the medieval period to the literary impressionism of the modernist period, to experimentation with word and image in postmodernity.
About
You’ll be equipped with key skills in imaginative understanding, critical thinking, and confident communication. You’ll expand and deepen your understanding of texts and artworks from a uniquely wide array of contexts while developing your intellectual and professional skills via your interaction with outstanding academics in both literature and history of art.
You’ll establish firm foundations in both disciplines through your engagement with different documents and sources. At the same time, you’ll encounter works of art at first-hand in the collections of the internationally renowned Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, which includes works of modern European art and also outstanding works from Africa, Asia and the Americas.
In your second and third years, you’ll select from a range of optional modules in order to pursue your own interests in more depth. This will enable you, for example, to explore the medieval period through texts such as Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales alongside examples of the period’s visual art and cartography. Or you might choose to examine the 20th century through the history of modernist texts and modernist art, by studying movements such as Expressionism and Surrealism.
As you progress through the course, you’ll be encouraged to engage with different methods and approaches and to develop informed views of your own. You will consolidate your independence as a scholar through the completion of a research dissertation in your final year.
You’ll have the opportunity to study the world-famous collection of art held in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, itself a celebrated icon of modern museum architecture. This means you will have access to important artworks from Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Americas, and Europe. You will be able to study relevant objects at first-hand, while learning about the processes of collecting objects for museums.
This course is delivered by UEA’s world-leading department of Art History and World Art Studies in cooperation with The School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing.
Art History and World Art Studies is part of a close network of internationally renowned centres for the study and display of art: the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, 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. 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.
Norwich is England's first UNESCO City of Literature, and it boasts a vibrant literary community. Great literature has been produced here, from the 14th century when Julian of Norwich became the first woman to write a book in English, right up to 20th and 21st century work by UEA graduates like Nobel Laureate Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, Booker Prize winner Ian McEwan and Costa Award winning author Emma Healey.
UEA’s School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing is famed for the quality, rigour and adventurousness of its teaching.

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.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.
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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 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 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.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

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Assessment for Year 1
You won’t sit any formal examinations. Instead, in each year you’ll be assessed on written coursework, usually in the form of essays, presentations, critiques, posters, exhibition catalogues to name only a few. Our assessment methods have been developed to measure your skills, but also to aid your learning.In your first year, assessment will be aimed at cultivating the skills of close analysis and critical thinking you will need throughout the degree.
To prepare for coursework, you'll receive feedback on pieces of 'formative' work from your tutors, e.g. in one-to-one tutorials. Detailed written feedback on assessed work will be provided on your assessed work, after it has been carefully marked and moderated. As your first year does not count toward your overall degree result, it's the perfect opportunity to experiment and take risks.
Assessment for Year 2
In your second year, you will have more autonomy over the way you respond to your assessment prompts, devising your own essay topics and further developing your perspective as an art historian and literary critic. On the literature side, while essay writing remains the cornerstone of your degree work, you might also submit podcasts, videos, exhibition plans, or a book design.Assessment for Year 3
In your final year, you’ll choose three modules which involve close engagement with advanced topics in literature and art history. You might, for example, choose to study public art in relation to literature and the politics of memory, or combine an exploration of art and states of mind with writing about religion. Literature modules currently on offer cover subjects such as children’s literature and crime fiction, Shakespeare and philosophy, feminist writing, and race, writing, and identity in post-war Britain. You’ll also write an extended essay in which you’ll explore a topic of your own choice through a combined literary and art-historical perspective.Assessment for Year 1
You won’t sit any formal examinations. Instead, in each year you’ll be assessed on written coursework, usually in the form of essays, presentations, critiques, posters, exhibition catalogues to name only a few. Our assessment methods have been developed to measure your skills, but also to aid your learning.In your first year, assessment will be aimed at cultivating the skills of close analysis and critical thinking you will need throughout the degree.
To prepare for coursework, you'll receive feedback on pieces of 'formative' work from your tutors, e.g. in one-to-one tutorials. Detailed written feedback on assessed work will be provided on your assessed work, after it has been carefully marked and moderated. As your first year does not count toward your overall degree result, it's the perfect opportunity to experiment and take risks.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 2
In your second year, you will have more autonomy over the way you respond to your assessment prompts, devising your own essay topics and further developing your perspective as an art historian and literary critic. On the literature side, while essay writing remains the cornerstone of your degree work, you might also submit podcasts, videos, exhibition plans, or a book design.Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 3
In your final year, you’ll choose three modules which involve close engagement with advanced topics in literature and art history. You might, for example, choose to study public art in relation to literature and the politics of memory, or combine an exploration of art and states of mind with writing about religion. Literature modules currently on offer cover subjects such as children’s literature and crime fiction, Shakespeare and philosophy, feminist writing, and race, writing, and identity in post-war Britain. You’ll also write an extended essay in which you’ll explore a topic of your own choice through a combined literary and art-historical perspective.Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
A Levels
AAB including English LiteratureT Levels
Not acceptedBTEC
DDD alongside grade B in A-Level English Literature. Excludes BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business AdministrationScottish highers
AAAAA including English LiteratureScottish highers advanced
BBC including English LiteratureIrish leaving certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including English LiteratureAccess course
Access to Humanities & Social Sciences pathway. Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 including 12 credits in English Literature and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3European Baccalaureate
80% including 7 in English LiteratureInternational Baccalaureate
33 points including 5 in HL EnglishGCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.Additional entry requirements
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA History of Art with a Foundation Year or BA English Literature with a Foundation Year
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your 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.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
Students for whom english is a 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):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
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:
Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.Gap year
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.Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
See our Tuition Fees page for further information.
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.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link 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 will 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.

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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:

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