Program Overview

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BA History of Art (V350)

2026 entry

Course summary

This course places particular emphasis on progression and is notable for providing the opportunity to carry out research each year.

The first year will give you a grounding in the key skills needed for a history of art degree, studying a wide range of visual and material culture. You will not only explore images in their global context, but you will also experience art locally, on the streets of Bristol. In addition, you will choose a research-oriented, small-group seminar class focusing on a particular type of art, such as painting or photography.

In the following years, you will choose from a variety of broader, thematic lecture and seminar-based units, as well as further research-oriented units. We offer a wide range of subject matter. Recent units have included: Art and Empire; Global Modernism; Cold War Culture; Race and Place; Art and Internationalism; Modern European Art; Art and War; Sculpture and the Body; Art and Fashion; Modernism and the Black Atlantic; Art of the Northern Renaissance; and Queering the Early Modern.

You will undertake some independent research each year and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice in your final year. There is the option to study abroad in the second year.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, site visits, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, visual analysis, timed assessments, collaborative projects, podcasts, virtual exhibitions, exams, and dissertations.

Our course will ensure you practise a range of skills, from critical thinking to visual and verbal communication, and from group work to project management, which will make you attractive to future employers in the globalised workplace and in the sector of your choice.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: ABB
• A-level contextual offer: BBC
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course.

Location

• Clifton campus.

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students.
• £27400 per year, international students.
• More about tuition fees, living costs, and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• ABB

A-level contextual offer

• BBC
• Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer.

BTEC

• DDM in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
• Find out more about BTEC entry requirements.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level.

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level
• Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer.

European Baccalaureate

• 77% overall.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AB and Standard Higher: AABBB.

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 15 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit or above.
• More about Access to HE entry requirements.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
• Search international qualifications.

More about UK qualifications.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for History of Art can be found in the Admissions Statement:
• Admissions statement
• The admissions statement above relates to 2025 entry. The statement for 2026 entry will be available in summer 2025.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Related courses

See a list of all History of Art degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment, and career prospects.

Related Subjects

• Ancient History
• Classical Studies
• Classics
• History

Next steps

• Visit us at an open day
• Download a prospectus
• Find out how to apply
• Make an enquiry