(Full time) 2021 start
History of Art with Cultural Studies BA
Overview
This course allows you to combine a questioning and critical approach to the historical study of art with a cultural focus on theories and practices of language, image, identity, gender, race, sexuality and class.
Given that the meaning and understanding of ‘art’ or ‘culture’ change over time, you'll learn about the history of the various artistic practices (such as film, painting, literature, photography, the media, and music) as well as understanding different contexts of its display. You'll also explore how societies have represented themselves and the world around them.
You’ll gain a critical perspective on the world we live in now and deepen your understanding of how historical events, societal transformation and psychological processes impinge on cultural forms. Here theorists of modernity, of the city, of technology and of the mind will be drawn on to produce a better understanding of how people try to make sense of their changing worlds.
Specialist resources
The University has a variety of resources to support your learning and research.
In addition to the wide range of museums and galleries in the city and beyond, the University campus features:
The University Library has digital books, journals and databases, and a wealth of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections. A range of different spaces for working either alone or in a group allow you to study in the way that best suits you.
Project Space, a multi-purpose space in the School designed for the development of curatorial practice and visiting exhibitions, sits at the core of the School’s building.
We work closely with many different museums, archives, and cultural organisations in the city and region.
Course content
Year 1
You'll gain the skills and theoretical and historical knowledge for analysing art and culture. Compulsory and optional modules will introduce key themes and interpretative methods for analysing and interpreting cultural practices. You’ll examine different cultures and materials and consider the intentions and identities of artists.
A choice of optional modules will allow you to broaden your studies by studying topics like cultural or media history, creative practice and consumer culture or museum studies.
Year 2
In year two, you’ll build on this knowledge when compulsory modules will deepen your understanding of the complex relationship between art, ideas and society. In addition, you’ll shape your studies to suit your interests when you choose from a wider range of optional modules, choosing from a group of cultural studies subject that extend your initial studies of gender, the moving image, the postcolonial perspective, and cultural theory. You’ll also select modules that focus on specific issues in art history.
Year 3
By your final year, you’ll be able to apply your research and critical skills to an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your choice. To complement and support your research, you’ll select additional modules from the diverse options on offer, many of which combine studies of the visual arts with other cultural forms. If you choose, you can take one fewer optional module and go into greater depth on an extended dissertation.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Cultural Analysis 1 20 credits
- Introduction to Cultural Analysis II 20 credits
- A Story of Art? 1 20 credits
- A Story of Art? 2 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Elements of Visual Culture I 20 credits
- Elements of Visual Culture II 20 credits
- The English Country House: Making and Meaning 20 credits
- Introduction to Museum and Art Gallery Studies 20 credits
Discovery modules
You may study discovery modules.
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Art History and Art Historiography 20 credits
- Keywords 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- The New York School 20 credits
- Country Houses and the (Re)Construction of the Heritage Industry 1880-1950 20 credits
- The Wanderers. Critical Realism in Nineteenth Century Russia 20 credits
- Seeing in Asia 20 credits
- State of the Art: Contemporary Perspectives in Art, Science and Technology 20 credits
- Racist Pasts/Radical Futures 20 credits
- Home, Exile and Displacement - Histories and Representations of Belonging in the 20th Century 20 credits
- The Museum 20 credits
- Art, Power and Portraiture 20 credits
- The Avant Gardes 20 credits
- Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries 20 credits
- Students Into Schools (Arts Humanities and Culture) 20 credits
Discovery modules
You may study discovery modules.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
You must choose one of the following dissertation modules.
- Dissertation 40 credits
- Dissertation 60 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Deconstruction Reading Politics 20 credits
- Making Sense of Sound 20 credits
- Periclean Athens 20 credits
- Cultural Diversity in Museum and Material Culture - Case Study 20 credits
- Sins, Sinisters and Sciapods: The Margins of Medieval Art 20 credits
- Critical approaches to photography 20 credits
- British Architecture in the Long Eighteenth Century 20 credits
- Antique Dealers: The Market for 'Decorative Art' from Curiosities to Retro 20 credits
- Africa and the Atlantic World: History, Historiography and the Visual Arts 20 credits
- Movies, Migrants and Diasporas 20 credits
Discovery modules
You may study discovery modules.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from the range of opportunities, expanding your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from the expertise of your tutors. These will include lectures, seminars, screenings, tutorials, workshops and field trips. You’ll also be able to attend talks by visiting artists and speakers, as well as workshops, conferences, exhibitions both on and off campus.
You’ll be supported by your supervisor during your dissertation and be able to attend skills workshops.
Independent study is also crucial to the degree, allowing you to develop important critical and research skills and to form your own ideas.
We encourage you to carry out small research projects on your own or in groups. The final year dissertation enables you to undertake substantial independent research in a topic of particular interest to you
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, allowing you to build different skills. Usually these will include essays, exams and module presentations, as well as small-scale research projects and your dissertation.
The University Library offers free classes and resources on topics such as exam technique, public speaking, research and structuring essays throughout your degree.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB – ABB
Other course specific tests:Where an applicant is undertaking an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the School may make an alternative offer that is one A level grade below that of our standard offer – on the condition that the applicant achieves a grade A in their EPQ (e.g. AAB at A level / alternative offer ABB plus grade A in EPQ).
NB: An EPQ is optional and not a requirement of application.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.
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BTEC
DDM -DDD.
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Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M2 to D3, M1, M2.
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International Baccalaureate
34-35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level with 4 in English.
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 to H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers OR AABBBB in Highers to AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR A in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR AAAABB in Highers.
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Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course.
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Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 75 – 80% overall.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Next steps
Qualified applicants are invited to an interview afternoon. You will have the opportunity to meet students, explore the School and attend a group ‘seminar style’ interview. This will give you the opportunity to find out more about the course and discuss with staff your interests in History of Art with Cultural Studies.
Admissions policy
School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies Undergraduate Admissions Policy
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £20,250 (per year)
Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
EU students starting in 2021/22
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
Graduates from this course have pursued careers in the arts and related industries. Others have gone onto postgraduate study and some have completed PhDs and are teaching and researching in higher education institutions around the world.
Graduates from our School have gone on to work at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice, the Tate Britain, Tate Modern, The Saatchi Gallery, The Henry Moore Institute, National Trust, Bonham’s, Leeds City Museums, The Hepworth Gallery, The Geffrye Museum London, The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Rydale Folk Museum.
Some examples of roles they have gone on to have include Head of House and Collections at Harewood House, Events Manager at the National Portrait Gallery, PR Officer at Christie’s (London and New York), Lecturer at the University of Leeds and Chief Curator at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
The School is committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions - you'll be able to work closely with staff in the School to source opportunities throughout your degree to gain experience, develop your skills and build networks.
The optional study abroad or work placement year offer opportunities to gain transferable skills, develop your experience and build your networks.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures offers a number of paid internships every year too.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.
Some recent examples include placements at Harewood House, the Cultural Institute (University of Leeds), Urban Outfitters, Tigerprint, Leeds Museums and Galleries, Pyramid of Arts and Hang-Up Gallery.