Program Overview

Introduction to the BA (Hons) Curating with History Program

The University of Essex offers a unique undergraduate program, BA (Hons) Curating with History, designed for aspiring curators who wish to develop the skills necessary to make bold connections between different forms of art, visual culture, historical developments, and broader social and political forces.

Overview of the Program

The BA (Hons) Curating with History program provides a multidisciplinary foundation in the histories and theories of art history, curating, heritage studies, and public history. Students learn the intellectual and practical skills necessary to realize their career ambitions, combining classroom-based learning with hands-on experience in museums and galleries.

Course Structure

The program is structured over three years, with optional placement and study abroad years. The course includes a range of compulsory and optional modules, such as:

• Rebellious Pasts: Challenging and Creating Histories
• Writing and Researching Art History
• Art and Ideas: I
• Collect, Curate, Display: A Short History of the Museum
• Introduction to Heritage and Museum Studies

Placement and Study Abroad Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of the university's partner universities or to combine their course with a placement year. The placement year provides relevant work experience within an external business or organization, giving students a competitive edge in the graduate job market.

Teaching and Assessment

Undergraduate students in the School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies typically attend a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week. The university uses a variety of assessment methods, including essays, critical reviews, and presentations.

Fees and Funding

The program's fees are as follows:

• Home/UK fee: ｣9,790 per year
• International fee: ｣21,500 per year There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the course.

Entry Requirements

The program's entry requirements are as follows:

• A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels
• BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels
• IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test

Career Opportunities

The visual arts and culture industries have become an increasingly significant part of the national and international economy, and graduates of the BA (Hons) Curating with History program can leave the University of Essex with the skills to take advantage of this growing opportunity. The sectors with jobs best suited for students with a BA in Curating include museums, galleries, and auction houses. Within these sectors, graduates can pursue careers in curation, cultural policy, museum education, programming, events, and marketing.