University of Bristol United Kingdom

BA History of Art

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Explore the dynamic world of visual culture and art with the BA History of Art degree from the University of Bristol. This undergraduate course is ideal for those fascinated by how images and objects shape our understanding of the world, offering a deep dive into global visual culture, artistic materiality, and critical theory. You will develop a sophisticated analytical framework to interpret diverse artistic expressions across different periods and cultures, preparing you to engage with complex visual phenomena and contribute to scholarly discourse in this vibrant field.

This full-time, on-campus programme is structured over three years, allowing you to build your expertise year by year. You will engage with a curriculum that balances foundational knowledge in areas like global visual culture and approaching the object with specialised studies in periods and themes such as art and empire, modernism, or sculpture and the body. Through lectures, seminars, and a significant final-year dissertation, you will hone your research and critical writing skills. Graduates are prepared for careers in galleries, museums, heritage, and the creative industries, armed with analytical and communication expertise.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA History of Art program explores global visual culture across different historical periods and geographical regions. Students will engage with theoretical approaches to art objects, investigate themes such as art and empire, and develop critical skills through various analytical units. The curriculum culminates in a dissertation, allowing for in-depth research into a chosen area of art history.

1 Year 1 (2025/26 entry cohort)

Episodes in Global Visual Culture 1 Mandatory
Time and the Image Mandatory
Approaching the Object Mandatory
Episodes in Global Visual Culture 2 Mandatory
Making and Materiality: Painting Optional
Making and Materials: Textiles and Fibre Art Optional
Making and Materiality: Photography Optional
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units Optional

2 Year 2 (2025/26 entry cohort)

Theorising the Object Mandatory
Art in Britain (Level I Lecture Response Unit) Optional
Modern European Art Optional
Art and Empire Optional
Sculpture and the Body (Level I Lecture Response Unit) Optional
Curating the Object Mandatory
Race and Place Optional
Queering the Early Modern Optional
Art and War (Level I Special Field) Optional
Early Italian Art Optional
Cold War Culture: Art and Politics since 1945 (Level I Special Field) Optional
Global Modernism Optional
How to Live Well: The Art of the Netherlands 1500-1700 Optional
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units – OR choose an additional 20 CP from list B or E above Optional
Study Abroad/ Erasmus Optional

3 Year 3 (2025/26 entry cohort)

Modernism and the 'Black Atlantic' Optional
Art in Russia and the Soviet Union (Lecture Response Unit) Optional
Art of the Northern Renaissance (Level H Lecture Response Unit) Optional
Art and Fashion Optional
German Expressionism Optional
Artistic Exchange in the Mediterranean Optional
The Illustrated Press Optional
Approaches to the Artist (Reflective Art History Unit) Optional
Religious Art (Reflective Art History Unit) Optional
Prints Optional
Dissertation Mandatory
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units – OR choose an additional 20 CP from list A above Optional

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 38,117.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 38,117.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 38,117.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 114,353.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 1,285.00 - USD 2,164.00
Food & Groceries USD 1,048.00 - USD 1,402.00
Transport USD 355.00 - USD 693.00
Utilities & Bills USD 10,471.00 - USD 13,967.00
Estimated Total USD 11,874.00 - USD 16,062.00

Living cost estimates are based on Clifton campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

95%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Accreditation & Assessment ServicesBrand ManagementCivil & Infrastructure EngineeringClient Services & Account ManagementConstruction Technology & Digital SolutionsCorporate Training & DevelopmentCreative Production & Project ManagementHealthcare Administration & ManagementResidential ConstructionTalent & Artist Management

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Epigram

European commission

National Trust

United Nations

sony interactive entertainment

Why Study BA History of Art at University of Bristol

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Bristol in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA History of Art at University of Bristol

Can I work while studying?

International students in degree programs can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. No separate work permit is needed.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet the English language requirements, you can take TOEFL (overall score: 95), IELTS (overall score: 7), or PTE (overall score: 71) with specific minimum scores in listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Potential job titles include art curator, museum educator, gallery manager, art historian, and cultural consultant.

What will I actually study in this course?

This course emphasizes research progression and includes topics such as Art and Empire and Modern European Art. You'll develop key skills through lectures, seminars, workshops, and write a dissertation in your final year.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA History of Art program starts in September each year. Be sure to apply ahead of the intake to secure your spot and meet all requirements.
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