University of Bristol United Kingdom

BA History of Art and Modern Languages

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

The BA History of Art and Modern Languages at the University of Bristol offers you a unique opportunity to explore global visual culture and achieve fluency in Portuguese. This four-year undergraduate degree is ideal if you are fascinated by how art and language shape societies and seek to understand diverse cultural expressions. You will delve into critical theories and historical periods within art history, examining everything from early visual culture to contemporary global modernism. Simultaneously, you will build practical language skills in Portuguese, a vital language for understanding Lusophone worlds across continents.

You will study full-time on campus over four years, beginning with foundational units in global visual culture and Portuguese language and cultures. As you progress, you will engage with diverse topics such as theorising the object, art in Britain, and world cinemas, alongside advanced Portuguese language and literature. A distinctive feature of this programme is the compulsory year abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country during your third year, offering immersive cultural and linguistic experience. You will graduate with a comprehensive understanding of art history and advanced Portuguese proficiency, ready for careers in international relations, cultural heritage, translation, or further academic study.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA program combines the study of art history with the Portuguese language and culture. Students will explore global visual cultures, historical periods, and theoretical approaches to art, alongside developing proficiency in Portuguese. The curriculum includes mandatory modules in both disciplines, with opportunities for specialization through a wide range of optional courses in art history, Lusophone studies, and linguistics, culminating in a dissertation.

1 Year 1 (2025/26 entry cohort)

Episodes in Global Visual Culture 1 Mandatory
Portuguese Language and Cultures 1b Mandatory
Time and the Image Optional
Key Moments in Lusophone History and Culture Mandatory
Approaching the Object Optional
Episodes in Global Visual Culture 2 Mandatory
Making and Materials: Textiles and Fibre Art Optional
Making and Materiality: Painting Optional
Making and Materiality: Photography Optional

2 Year 2 (2025/26 entry cohort)

Portuguese Lang for Joints/ML Mandatory
Theorising the Object Mandatory
Mobility and Displacement in the Lusophone World 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
World Cinemas: from national to transnational Optional
Woman and Nation Optional
Curating the Object Optional
General Linguistics Optional
Introduction to teaching Modern Languages as Foreign Languages Optional
Beginners Portuguese Optional
Migrations of Culture Optional
Catalan Language (Elementary) Optional
Czech Language (Elementary) Optional
Introduction to Latin American Cinema Optional
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
Historical Linguistics Optional

3 Year 3 (2025/26 entry cohort)

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

4 Year 4 (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
Portuguese Language for School of Modern Languages and Joint degrees Mandatory
Dictatorships, prisons, and writing(s) in the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking worlds Optional
Images and Text: Hybrid Media and Power in Latin America Optional
German Expressionism Optional
Artistic Exchange in the Mediterranean Optional
The Illustrated Press 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
Theoretical Approaches to Language Teaching Optional
Studying and Making Early Printed Books Optional
Transnational Narrative in pre-modern cultures Optional
Communism in Europe Optional
Sociolinguistics: Language Variation and Change Optional
Gender, Sexuality and Cinema Optional
Independent Study 1 Optional
Dissertation Mandatory

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

Animation & Visual EffectsConstruction Technology & Digital SolutionsCorporate Training & DevelopmentCurriculum & Instructional DesignDigital MarketingEmergency Services & Disaster ResponseHigher Education & UniversitiesNursing & Allied HealthSoftware Development & EngineeringTheme Parks & Leisure

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Epigram

European commission

Meta

National Trust

Osborne Clarke

United Nations

University of Exeter

University of Oxford

Why Study BA History of Art and Modern Languages 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 Modern Languages at University of Bristol

Can I work while studying?

Students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying. However, if on a Student visa for a part-time course, you cannot work in the UK.

Is this qualification recognised internationally?

Please confirm accreditation details directly with the institution.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To be eligible, you need to meet specific English test requirements. Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE, each with minimum scores across listening, reading, speaking, and writing sections.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers in international relations, cultural heritage, translation, and more.

What will I actually study in this course?

This four-year program explores the relationship between visual culture and language, focusing on subjects such as art history and Portuguese language and cultures. A unique aspect is the compulsory year abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country, enhancing your cultural and linguistic experience.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA History of Art and Modern Languages program at the University of Bristol has an intake in September. Make sure to prepare your application ahead of this date to secure your spot.
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