(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Art History and History (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
History of Art, Architecture and Design
History
BA VV3C
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB
BTEC: DDD
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit
T-levels: Distinction
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
Final year: Students may only take one final-year project/dissertation option which may be in either Art History or History.
Students who have the option to do so may, if they wish and have the module supervisors permission, take 30 credits at level 6 in year 2. They may also take 30 credits at level 5 in year 3. It is recommended that students take 120 credits at level 6 as at least 90 credits at this level must be passed to be awarded a degree. See section D: Rules of Assessment.
External examiners
Dr Dominic Paterson
Senior Lecturer in History of Art / Curator of Contemporary Art
University of Glasgow
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To offer a varied, flexible and distinctive curriculum across the field of art history and history.
To provide the opportunity for an understanding of both artistic and historical events within a political, social, economic and cultural context.
To enable students to understand the relationship between the past and the present and to enable consideration of the ways in which this is documented visually.
To encourage both critical engagement with and enjoyment of the visual arts, particularly through first-hand observation.
To develop skills of research analysis and argument which bring the disciplines of history and art history together and to enable students to understand and to appreciate the relationship between them with a degree of critical awareness.
To enable students to undertake independent study in a dissertation on a topic of their choice.
To provide the knowledge and skills (critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written, spoken and visual interpretation, communication and presentation) that will not only stand students in good stead for more specialised academic careers, but will also enhance their opportunities for employment in a wide range of other careers.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Knowledge and understanding of History and History of Art from C14th - C21st (based on a choice of module options from each discipline.
A2: Knowledge and understanding of the ways in which the visual is related to the broader historical and cultural context and vice versa.
A3: Knowledge and understanding of description, comparative analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary source material.
A4: Knowledge and understanding of some of the debates, concepts and values which inform study and practice within the fields of history and art history.
A5: Knowledge and understanding of the ways in which the disciplines of history and art history can be inter-related and considered with relevance to one another and in order to enable the study of one through the other (and by means of the other) and vice versa.
A6: Knowledge of some of the concepts, values and debates that inform study and practice in the field.
Learning methods
The degree is based on progression from introductory topics in the first year to a more specialised set of modules in the second and third years. Knowledge and understanding are developed via lectures, classes, coursework and examination. Individual and group presentation work develops A2-A5 in particular.
Regular, detailed feedback from tutors, both oral and written, enables continued and measured progression.
Regular museum, gallery and exhibition visits enable the development of knowledge and understanding within a geographical and historical framework and similarly covers A1-A6.
Assessment methods
Assessment is continual throughout each academic year and takes the form of written essays, literature reviews, take-home research papers, in-class slide tests, summaries of weekly readings, and unseen written examinations, including questions on visual material in photographic form.
Similarly, more informal but regular contact with tutors, both in classroom discussion and tutorial sessions, enables continued reflection and improvement throughout the entire module.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: To synthesise and analyse primary and secondary material and to identify significant elements and key issues within them.
B2: To formulate and answer questions relating to history and/or art history.
B3: To identify key issues which align art and histories, be they biographical, religious, social, political, economic and/or literary.
B4: To consider and solve problems using knowledge and experience
B5: To consider the ways in which histories have impacted upon art and visual culture and vice versa.
Learning methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills are introduced through background reading, class reading, in class discussion and by visual analysis of works of art in order to cover B1-B6.
Similarly all skills B1-B6 are developed with feedback from tutors and in peer groups
Assessment methods
Assessment is continual throughout each academic year and takes the form of written essays, literature reviews, take-home research papers, in-class slide tests, summaries of weekly readings, and unseen written examinations, including questions on visual material in photographic form.
Similarly, more informal but regular contact with tutors, both in classroom discussion and tutorial sessions, enables continued reflection and improvement throughout the entire module.
C: Practical skills
C1: To read and evaluate primary and secondary source material critically.
C2: To assess, describe, analyse and interpret works of art visually.
C3: To work effectively as part of a team or independently.
C4: To write coherently and concisely within the boundaries of conventional academic scholarship.
C5: To understand and compile relevant bibliographical material.
C6: Ability to apply the necessary organisational and cultural skills for living and working abroad.
Learning methods
Preparation for and participation in seminar discussion develops C1-C6.
The final year dissertation (capstone project), compulsory for the course, enables students to focus on all areas but especially C1 and C5 and as such introduces students to the demands of independent research which is a key indicator to the demands of, as well as any potential inclination towards postgraduate study.
C6 is acquired through the guided but relatively independent process of organising and successfully completing a period of living and studying abroad.
Assessment methods
Assessment is continual throughout each academic year and takes the form of written essays, literature reviews, take-home research papers, in-class slide tests, summaries of weekly readings, and unseen written examinations, including questions on visual material in photographic form.
Similarly, more informal but regular contact with tutors, both in classroom discussion and tutorial sessions, enables continued reflection and improvement throughout the entire course.
C1 and C5 are assessed by analysis of documents and bibliographical materials.
C1, C2, C3 are assessed as part of group work in particular.
C1, C2, C4 and C5 are assessed by coursework in particular.
Presentation work and examinations test the skills of working under pressure without notes and cover C1-C5
C6 is assessed throughout the Year Abroad.
D: Key skills
D1: Effective communication of concepts and arguments in a range of contexts using a range of different resources; special ability to deploy visual material in a variety of media in the context of presentations or written work.
D2: Appropriate use of IT for research and for presentation work.
D3: ability to: analyse and explain materials and data;. To manage projects;. To apply knowledge in a way appropriate for judgement; and to offer ideas and solutions as pertinent to various contexts
D4: Ability to accept and to reflect upon feedback, and to work independently and effectively to deadlines.
D5: The ability to communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts using a range of different aids or resources; special ability to deploy visual material in a variety of media in the context of presentations or written work
D6: Students should be able to make use of IT for research purposes (including searchable databases such as library catalogues and internet sources), to present assessed work, and be able to use email.
D7: Management of projects and timetables. Students should be able to apply knowledge and understanding in order to make judgements and offer solutions in a range of contexts.
D8: N/A
Learning methods
Participation in seminar discussion, group project work and essay writing develops D1, D4 and D6 in particular.
Information technology (D2) is implicit to the module: in the form of visual media as visual media via (including the use of PowerPoint and visual imagery, as well as DVD). ,These visual media serve towhich is intended to inform students while developing their critical awareness of and to develop their critical awareness of itinformation technologies.
Students are made aware of the Key Skills On-Line resources by means of the departmental handbooks and are expected demonstrate their IT skills during their group presentation.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods Assessment is continual throughout each academic year and takes a formal line: Coursework essays.
Group and individual presentations.
Literature reviews.
Virtual Exhibitions.
Examination.
Similarly, more informal but regular contact with tutors, both in classroom discussion and tutorial sessions enables continued reflection and improvement throughout the entire module.