University of Bristol United Kingdom

BA History of Art and French

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a compelling academic journey with the BA History of Art and French at the University of Bristol, a degree designed for those captivated by the intricate relationship between visual culture and linguistic expression. This program delves into the rich tapestry of global visual culture, from historical movements to contemporary artistic practices, while simultaneously fostering fluency and deep understanding of the French language and francophone societies. You will explore key methodologies in art history, such as analysing visual and material culture, alongside developing a nuanced appreciation for French literature, film, and history. This course is ideal for intellectually curious students eager to bridge disciplines and gain a unique perspective on human creativity and communication.

This full-time, four-year undergraduate degree is delivered on campus, offering an immersive learning experience. Your studies will involve a blend of lectures, seminars, and workshops, alongside dedicated language instruction and cultural exploration. You will engage with diverse topics, from episodes in global visual culture to theorising the object and exploring French cinema. A distinctive feature of this program is the mandatory year abroad in a French-speaking country during your third year, where you will significantly enhance your linguistic abilities and cultural immersion. You will graduate with a robust understanding of both art history and French culture, prepared for diverse career paths in the arts, cultural heritage, international relations, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program offers a comprehensive study of art history and French language and culture. Students will explore global visual cultures, theories of the object, and various periods and movements in art history, alongside developing advanced French language skills and engaging with French literature, history, and cultural production. The curriculum includes opportunities for a year abroad and specialized modules in both disciplines.

1 Year 1 (2024/25 entry cohort)

French Language and Cultures 1b Optional
Episodes in Global Visual Culture 1 Mandatory
French Language and Cultures 1a Mandatory
Time and the Image Optional
French Cultures in Context Mandatory
Approaching the Object Optional
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
Representations of Francophone Cultures Optional

2 Year 2 (2024/25 entry cohort)

French Language 2 Mandatory
Theorising the Object Mandatory
Race, Gender, and Intersectionality in Twenty-First Century France: Cultural Production, Politics, and Identity Optional
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
French Fiction: from Realism to the 21st Century Optional
Burning Books: Radicalism Before the Revolution Optional
French Thought Optional
France during the Second World War: culture, politics and society Optional
Race and Place Optional
Queering the Early Modern Optional
Paris 1857–97: Text and Image 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

3 Year 3 (2024/25 entry cohort)

Year Abroad TB-1 Mandatory
Year Abroad TB-2 Mandatory

4 Year 4 (2024/25 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
French Language 3 Mandatory
Les Miserables: Readings and Receptions Optional
Political Cultures of Early Twentieth-Century France Optional
Intellectuals and the Media in France Optional
Culture, soft power and diplomatie d'influence: Exporting French culture from the 1870s to the present Optional
German Expressionism Optional
Artistic Exchange in the Mediterranean Optional
The Illustrated Press Optional
French for Business and Enterprise Optional
Intellectuals and the Media in France Optional
Me, Myself, and I: The Essais of Michel de Montaigne Optional
Translating in a Professional Context Optional
Catalan Language (follow-on) Optional
Czech Language (follow-on) Optional
Follow-on Portuguese Optional
Liaison Interpreting Optional
Approaches to the Artist (Reflective Art History Unit) Optional
Religious Art (Reflective Art History Unit) Optional
Prints Optional
Surrealism: Pleasure and Provocation in 1920s Textual and Visual Culture Optional
Francophone Women Directors: Documentary Filmmaking Optional
Theoretical Approaches to Language Teaching Optional
Studying and Making Early Printed Books Optional
Transnational Narrative in pre-modern cultures Optional
Dissertation Optional
Communism in Europe Optional
Sociolinguistics: Language Variation and Change Optional
Gender, Sexuality and Cinema Optional
Independent Study 1 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
Fourth Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 38,117.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 152,471.00

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

Advertising Finance & OperationsClinical & Medical ServicesCommercial & Industrial ConstructionEarly Childhood & Primary EducationEducation Policy & AdministrationEducational Support ServicesJournalism & ReportingMedia Research & AnalyticsNetworking & Internet ServicesPublic Relations

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Epigram

European commission

Meta

National Trust

United Nations

University of Exeter

University of Oxford

sony interactive entertainment

Why Study BA History of Art and French 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 and French at University of Bristol

Can I work while studying?

As an international student in a degree course, you 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 may take tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. For instance, TOEFL requires an overall score of 95 with specific minimum scores across different sections.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Possible job titles include Art Historian, Cultural Consultant, Museum Curator, Language Specialist, and Academic Researcher.

What will I actually study in this course?

This degree merges the history of art with French language and culture, providing a comprehensive education that includes visual culture and literature. You'll have the opportunity to study abroad in a French-speaking country, enhancing both your language and cultural skills.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The intake month for the BA History of Art and French is September. Ensure you apply ahead of time to secure your place.
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