(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Philosophy and Art History (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Philosophy
History of Art, Architecture and Design
BA VV55
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
None
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
1. To offer a varied, flexible and distinctive curriculum across the field of art history and philosophy.
2. To provide the opportunity for an understanding of both artistic and philosophical events within a broader theoretical, aesthetic and cultural context.
3. To enable students to understand the relationship between the ideas, theories and aesthetic concepts of the past and the present and to enable consideration of the ways in which this is documented creatively and visually.
4. To encourage both critical engagement with and enjoyment of the visual arts, particularly through first-hand observation.
5. To develop the skills of research analysis and argument which bring the disciplines of philosophy and art history together and to enable students to understand and to appreciate the relationship between them with a degree of critical awareness.
6. To enable students to undertake independent study in a dissertation on a topic of their choice within the School.
7. 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 of philosophical texts from a variety of traditions and visual art from the Early Renaissance to the present day, including theoretical issues that have been central to the Western European and Latin American traditions in visual art.
A2: Knowledge of significant figures in the history of philosophy, and of some central theories, arguments and issues connected with them, and figures in art history as well as the relationships of works of visual art to the broader cultural context.
A3: Knowledge of techniques of philosophical reasoning and conceptions of philosophical method, embracing diverse traditions and approaches, as well as basic methods of critical analysis and argument appropriate to visual artefacts.
A4: Knowledge of major issues currently being debated by philosophers and some substantive areas of current research in the field of art history including an awareness of the development of these areas of research.
A101: To provide the opportunity to apply academic learning outcomes in a work-related context
A102: To develop essential work-based skills throughout the placement.
Learning methods
A1-A4 are acquired through lectures, classes and coursework (with regular feedback, both oral and written, from tutors).
A101 and A102 are acquired during the placement.
Assessment methods
Assessment is continual throughout each academic year. Depending on module choices this can take 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.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to analyse a given body of material, breaking it down into component points or parts and highlighting the most significant among them, and to present one's own evaluation of it.
B2: Ability to use and criticise specialised philosophical or art historical terminology.
B3: Ability to summarise complex and demanding texts, often written at historical distance, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the views they propose.
B4: Ability to identify underlying issues in philosophical texts, debates and arguments, and to highlight deficiencies such as unquestioned assumptions, superficial analogies and unsubstantiated claims.
B5: Respond to unfamiliar artefacts, issues or ideas with an open mind
B6: Solve problems using knowledge and experience.
Learning methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills are introduced through background reading, of primary and secondary material (be this class reading and/or preparation for presentation work) by 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 more generally.
Assessment methods
Assessment is continual throughout each academic year. Depending on module choices this can take 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.
C: Practical skills
C1: Critical Skills: including selection of relevant material from a range of sources, including books, journal articles, library and internet resources, and appraisal of other people's arguments on the basis of familiarity with source materials and current literature.
C2: Research Skills: including use of appropriate methods to locate primary and secondary sources, and works of visual art.
C3: Writing Skills: including use of academic conventions and logical, structured argument, and the ability to express oneself clearly
C4: Visual Skills: including observation (recognition of materials and techniques but also other aspects of works of visual art such as formal organisation or narrative structure), description (using ordinary as well as specialised language) and analysis.
Learning methods
Preparation for and participation in seminar discussion develops C1-C4. The presentations demonstrate C3 and C4 in particular.
The final year dissertation, compulsory for the course, enables students to focus on all areas but especially C1 and C2 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.
Assessment methods
Assessment is continual throughout each academic year, depending on modules this can take 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 C2 are assessed by analysis of documents and bibliographical materials.
C1, C2, C4 are assessed as part of group work in particular.
C1, C2, C3 and C4 are assessed by coursework in particular.
Presentation work and examinations also test the skills of working under pressure without notes and cover C1-C4.
D: Key skills
D1: 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
D2: 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.
D3: Ability to identify the problem to be solved; to articulate critically the assumptions underlying or connected with the problem; to compare and contrast differing and often contradictory solutions to the problem; and to provide argument and evidence in defence of one's solution to the problem.
D4: Students will be given the opportunity to work constructively and productively in groups, and be able to participate effectively in seminars.
D5: Ability to read closely and carefully; to organize one's reading and thinking in relation to specific topics; take responsibility for their own work; reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback from the lecturer in the form of written comments on coursework and oral communication; and to work to deadlines
D101: Ability to demonstrate an understanding of work roles through a placement
Learning methods
Skills D1-5 are acquired and developed through the teaching and learning methods described above and in class discussions.
The four key skills are implicit throughout the degree. Communication is developed through seminar discussion, but also through attending lectures.
Students are encouraged to use the University key skills on-line package (listed in the School Handbook), word processing packages, library searches and internet resources.
Students are expected and encouraged to share responsibility for their own programme of studies.
Assessment methods
Outcomes D1-5 are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.