BA (Hons) History of Art with Archaeology and Anthropology with a Placement Year
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- V0LP
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
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Course Overview
Why BA History of Art with Archaeology and Anthropology with a Placement Year at UEA?
Discover how societies express values, beliefs and identities through the things they make, use and preserve. Explore diverse visual and material cultures in a world‑famous museum.
Why choose UEA
- Art in practice: Learn directly from objects and artworks in the internationally renowned Sainsbury Centre collections
- Explore art globally: Examine creativity across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas through interdisciplinary, object-based learning
- Expert networks: Access expertise and opportunities across UEA’s international research centres, institutes and units
What is BA History of Art with Archaeology and Anthropology with a Placement Year?
You’ll explore how societies communicate ideas through art, objects and material culture. You’ll investigate creativity from prehistory to the present across global contexts.
You’ll develop foundations in History of Art, Archaeology and Anthropology while analysing visual and material evidence. Your studies will train you to interpret the past and understand its place in contemporary worlds.
Teaching is centered in the Sainsbury Centre, where you examine artworks and artefacts firsthand. You’ll study collecting practices, museum histories and the roles of diverse communities and audiences.
Placement Year
You’ll normally spend 9-12 months of your third year in a placement, although shorter placements can be considered under certain circumstances. You’ll seek your own placement with support from UEA’s Career Central Service and your school. Support will start early in the first year and be tailored to your needs.
Your placement will depend on your interests. Preparatory workshops will help guide you towards a suitable placement that reflects your interests, values and career ambitions. Since our graduates go into a wide range of sectors, placements can be done in fields such as heritage, business, the public sector, creative industries and many more. However, your work on the placement should meet required learning outcomes and help you develop a range of skills that you’ll be able to use during the final year of your degree and your post-graduation career.
Careers
Career Pathways
With a BA History of Art with Archaeology and Anthropology with a Placement Year degree, you could launch a career in:
- Museums and art galleries: Work with collections, exhibitions and public programmes across regional, national and international institutions
- Commercial art galleries: Support artists, manage exhibitions and engage clients in dynamic commercial art environments
- Event management: Plan, coordinate and deliver cultural events, exhibitions and community programmes in varied creative settings
- Publishing: Contribute to editorial, research and production work across specialist art, culture and academic publications
- Teaching and lecturing: Share knowledge through teaching in schools, colleges, or higher education settings
Career Support
Moving forward into career life after university is a serious step that requires support. Therefore, we’ll help you develop transferable skills that employers value. We’ll introduce you to different career paths and help you make decisions based on your own interests and goals.
UEA’s Career Central provides you with personalised career support, campus careers events, alumni networking opportunities, paid internships and career-planning and CV workshops. You can also access creative sector and heritage opportunities through dedicated departmental partnerships.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
You’ll graduate with valuable skills in research, communication and critical thinking. Your experience of studying inside a world‑famous art museum strengthens your professional profile. You'll be well placed to pursue your academic path or step into the job market. You may choose to pursue cultural, creative and heritage careers worldwide.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll begin your studies by establishing firm foundations for the study of art and material culture. You’ll start with studies of artists, artisans and the processes of creating. Here you’ll engage directly with artworks first-hand, exploring different techniques and visual effects, and deepening your appreciation of their different functions and meanings. At the same time, you’ll get to know the principles of art history, archaeology and anthropology.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
At this stage of your course, you’ll explore the most recent theoretical approaches to material culture studies and also develop your knowledge of archaeology. You’ll learn to think about the strange and varied ‘lives of objects’ as they move through different contexts and how art history interacts with anthropology and archeology. In your spring semester, you’ll consider how your historical studies relate to contemporary debates about the status of art and the role of galleries and museums in the present. Alongside these lectures, you’ll choose from a range of optional modules through which you’ll develop more specialist knowledge of particular problems and periods.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your third year will be spent on your placement, providing you with the opportunity to experience the world of work while applying some of the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during your first two years of study.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your final year of study, you’ll take three optional modules which involve close engagement with advanced topics in art history, archaeology and anthropology. You’ll also write a dissertation on a topic that has most sparked your interest, working closely with a supervisor to design your own research programme.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 30)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You'll learn from leading scholars in art history, archaeology and anthropology. Teaching combines lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent study. Sessions focus on dialogue, close analysis and investigation of artworks, objects and texts. As you progress, you'll expand your skills across all three disciplines.
In year one, you'll learn through lectures, interactive seminars and guided independent study. You'll prepare material for classes that often becomes the basis for assessments.
During year two, you'll explore more specialised topics shaped by current academic research. Your growing confidence supports independent research into areas that interest you.
In your third year, you’ll put your course learning into practice by applying your skills in a professional placement.
In the final year, independent learning increases as you work toward your dissertation. You'll deepen specialist knowledge and develop independence across the three disciplines.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a diverse range of assessments rather than traditional written examinations. You'll complete essays, presentations, critiques and catalogue-style work. Each task helps develop key academic and professional skills. You’ll be helped with assessments throughout your studies, receiving regular written and verbal feedback to help you improve.
In year one assessment focuses on developing close analysis and critical thinking skills. You'll practice a range of formats, including reviews and catalogue entries.
During year two, you'll shape your own essay topics and responses to assessment prompts. This year strengthens your voice as an emerging art historian.
Your third year is spent on placement, giving you hands‑on experience that sets you apart from the competition.
In the final year, you'll complete advanced assessments linked to staff research specialisms. You'll also produce an independent dissertation developed with guidance from an academic supervisor.
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 C or grade 4
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 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
ABB
Contextual: BBC
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual: DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 Credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
Contextual offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and pass in 15 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Merit
Any subject is acceptable.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC or above.
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(opens in a new window) 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 C or grade 4
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 page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
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(opens in a new window) 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.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
-
UK Students: £10,050
-
International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(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 small additional costs for field trips, which are subsidised by the department.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of 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. (opens in a new window)
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: