| UCAS code | QV83 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | QV84 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | QV81 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | QV82 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Art History & Visual Culture |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
Overview
- Learn how to interpret works of art (including architecture, art and design), images, objects and practices in order to understand contemporary and past societies
- Explore the culture and thought of the ancient world through its literature, art and artefacts
- For Classical Studies, all texts are usually taught in translation so there is no requirement to study Latin or Greek language modules unless you choose to
- Study key texts in translation and learn a classical language in depth for at least two years
Top 15 in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design
12th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Internationally recognised fine art, heritage and film collections on site, including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Top 10 in the UK for Classics and Ancient History
7th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme
Top 15 in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design
12th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Internationally recognised fine art, heritage and film collections on site, including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Studying at Exeter has been a brilliant experience, it felt like the right choice from the first open day I visited.
Exeter has provided me with access to work experience in the local arts centres and museums, and has given me the opportunity to travel and visit the art we study in class. In my experience lecturers go above and beyond to provide academic support for students, as do the Wellbeing and Accessibility Services. I have also been able to join a range of academic and social societies, in which I have made friends for life.
India
BA Art History & Visual Culture and Classics
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | ABB | n/a |
| IB | 32/655 | n/a |
| BTEC | DDM | n/a |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. | N/A |
| T-Level | Distinction | n/a |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
30 credits of compulsory Art History & Visual Culture modules, 30 credits of compulsory Classical Studies modules, 30 credits of optional Art History & Visual Culture modules, and 30 credits of optional Classical Studies modules.
Compulsory modules
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
a - select either CLA1005 or CLA1006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHV1011 | Questions and Methods in Art History and Visual Culture | 30 |
| CLA1005 | Greek and Roman Narrative [See note a above] | 30 |
| CLA1006 | Greek and Roman Drama [See note a above] | 30 |
Optional modules
b - select either AHV1005 and AHV1009, or AHV1012, selecting 30 credits in total.
c - select 30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHVC Stage 1 Combined Hons Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above] | ||
| AHV1006 | Visual Media | 15 |
| AHV1008 | Topics in Art History and Visual Culture I | 15 |
| MLM1014 | Chinese Art and the Art of Living | 15 |
| AHV1012 | Approaches to Art History and Visual Culture | 30 |
| AHV1005 | Inside the Museum | 15 |
| AHV1009 | Topics in Art History and Visual Culture II | 15 |
| MLF1121 | French Visual History | 15 |
| Ancient History and Classical Studies Combined Hons Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note c above] | ||
| CLA1029 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic-Roman Syria | 15 |
| CLA1354 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus | 15 |
| CLA1031 | Text and Context: Women in Homer | 15 |
| CLA1405 | Text and Context: Roman Laughter | 15 |
| CLA1516 | Ancient World (Written Evidence): Persuasion in Ancient Greece | 15 |
| CLA1301 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) - Tyranny | 15 |
| CLA1508 | Ancient World: Roman Philosophy | 15 |
| CLA1030 | Ancient World: Racecraft | 15 |
| CLA1027 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (A) | 15 |
| CLA1028 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (B) | 15 |
| CLA1252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 |
| CLA1254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 |
| CLA1025 | Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A) | 15 |
| CLA1026 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek I (B) | 15 |
| CLA1202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 |
| CLA1204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 |
30 credits of compulsory Art History & Visual Culture modules, 30 credits of compulsory Classical Studies modules, 30 credits of optional Art History & Visual Culture modules, and 30 credits of optional Classical Studies modules.
Compulsory modules
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
d - select either CLA2005 or CLA2006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHV2015 | Art History and Visual Culture Field Study for Blended Learning | 30 |
| CLA2005 | Greek and Roman Narrative [See note d above] | 30 |
| CLA2006 | Greek and Roman Drama [See note d above] | 30 |
Optional modules
e - select 0-30 credits from this list of optional Art History & Visual Culture modules; we recommend selecting at least one module from AHV2002 and AHV2007.
f - select 0-30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHVC Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note e above] | ||
| AHV2012 | Revolutions: Art and Society in France, 1770-1848 | 30 |
| AHV2016 | Contemporary Art and Curation | 15 |
| AHV2018 | Comics Studies: Histories, Methodologies, Genres | 30 |
| AHV2021 | American Photographs | 15 |
| AHV2022 | Animals in Nineteenth-century Art and Visual Culture | 15 |
| AHV2023 | Global Impressionisms | 15 |
| AHV2208 | Ideal Cities? Urban Cultures of Renaissance Italy | 15 |
| AHV2013 | Photography and Evidence | 15 |
| AHV2019 | Common Threads: Art, Craft and Activism | 15 |
| AHV2020 | Deconstructing the Dutch Golden Age: Nationalism, Exceptionalism and Decline | 15 |
| AHV2024 | Renaissances North and South: Italy and the Netherlands | 15 |
| MLM2003 | Chinoiserie and Europeenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe | 15 |
| EAS2089 | Creative Industries: Their Past, Our Future | 30 |
| AHV2002 | Debates and Contestations in Art History [See note e above] | 15 |
| AHV2007 | Contemporary Visual Practices [See note e above] | 15 |
| Ancient History Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note f above] | ||
| CLA2029 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic-Roman Syria | 15 |
| CLA2354 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus | 15 |
| CLA2031 | Text and Context: Women in Homer | 15 |
| CLA2405 | Text and Context: Roman Laughter | 15 |
| CLA2516 | Ancient World (Written Evidence): Persuasion in Ancient Greece | 15 |
| CLA2301 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny | 15 |
| CLA2030 | Ancient World: Racecraft | 15 |
| CLA2252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 |
| CLA2254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 |
| CLA2202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 |
| CLA2205 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 |
Typically, any placement year will take place in Year 3. If you are not taking a placement year please see the Final Year modules for year 3.
30 credits of compulsory dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30-60 credits of Art History & Visual Culture modules, and 30-60 credits of Classical Studies modules).
Compulsory modules
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
g - select a Dissertation in either Art History & Visual Culture or Classical Studies: AHV3000 or CLA3009 (you cannot choose more than one module from this group).
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHV3000 | Art History and Visual Culture Dissertation [See note g above] | 30 |
| CLA3009 | Dissertation [See note g above] | 30 |
Optional modules
h - if selecting CLA3009, select 60 credits from this list of optional Art History & Visual Culture modules.
i - if selecting AHV3000, select 60 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AHVC Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above] | ||
| AHV3002 | Understanding Space in Renaissance Italy | 15 |
| AHV3007 | Global Modernisms | 15 |
| AHV3008 | Performance Art | 15 |
| AHV3009 | Paris to the World: Modelling the Modern City | 15 |
| AHV3012 | Installation Art | 15 |
| AHV3017 | 'Queen City of Europe': Art, Culture and Society in Renaissance Antwerp, c.1500-70 | 15 |
| EAF3515 | Something to See: War and Visual Media | 30 |
| EAS3245 | The 21st Century Museum | 30 |
| EAS3421 | Picturing the Global City: Literature and Visual Culture in the 21st Century | 30 |
| EAS3504 | Surrealism and its Legacies | 30 |
| HUM3015 | The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Britain and China | 15 |
| MLG3036 | Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria | 15 |
| AHV3013 | Art, Industry and the Modern, 1840-1900 | 15 |
| AHV3019 | Artists' Film and Video | 15 |
| AHV3018 | The Body in Art and Disability Studies | 15 |
| AHV3020 | Subjectivity and Storytelling: From Decorative Arts to Digital Futures | 15 |
| THE3229 | Syriac Christianity: Monks, Monasteries and Mimre | 30 |
| Ancient History & Classical Studies Final Stage option modules 2024-5 [See note i above] | ||
| CLA3251 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic | 30 |
| CLA3059 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek V: Imperial Greek Prose | 30 |
| CLA3252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 |
| CLA3254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 |
| CLA3206 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 |
| CLA3202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 |
| CLA3204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 |
| CLA3205 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 |
| CLA3263 | Being and Not-Being in Greek Philosophy: from Parmenides to Aristotle | 15 |
| CLA3113 | Art in Greek Society | 15 |
| CLA3273 | Polybios and the Challenge of Change | 15 |
| CLA3126 | Critical Classics and the Contemporary World | 15 |
| CLA3276 | Courage in the Ancient World | 15 |
| CLA3275 | Women Writing Classics | 15 |
| CLA3056 | Ovid and the Erotic Passions | 15 |
| CLA3114 | Art in Roman Society | 15 |
| CLA3277 | Lost Works and Fragments | 15 |
| CLA3264 | Ancient Science and Society | 15 |
| HUM3004 | Transforming the Tablet: Digital Approaches to Ancient Text and Artefact | 15 |
| CLA3267 | Dialogues with the Past: Creative Interpretative Project | 15 |
| CLA3279 | Knowledge, Wealth and Power in the Ancient World | 30 |
| CLA3125 | Reading and Writing Greek Literature in the Hellenistic World | 30 |
| CLA3007 | The Crisis of the Athenian Polis | 30 |
| CLA3274 | The Persians in a Near Eastern Context | 30 |
| CLA3033 | Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds | 30 |
| CLA3008 | The Age of Cicero | 30 |
| CLA3042 | Ancient Literary Criticism | 30 |
| CLA3124 | Receptions of the Classical Body | 30 |
| THE3229 | Syriac Christianity: Monks, Monasteries and Mimre | 30 |
Course variants
UCAS code: QV84
Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.
Why Study Abroad?
Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.
Where can I Study Abroad?
We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.
Does it count towards my degree?
Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.
How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?
For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your Study Abroad year.
UCAS code: QV81
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience?
Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Find out more
Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities.
UCAS code: QV82
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience Abroad?
Spending up to a year living and working in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. By carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements abroad you can demonstrate to employers your adaptability, cultural awareness, independence and resourcefulness and, depending on where you stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector and country you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fee?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Is the placement paid?
You will be paid in accordance with the rules of the country you work in and there may be visa restrictions or requirements which you need to consider when applying.
Find out more
Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
You will be taught by internationally respected staff who are leading researchers in their specialisms. We use a wide variety of techniques and approaches including seminars, lectures, study groups and web-based learning, as well as valuable field study. We integrate the latest approaches with traditional learning and teaching to give you a varied and challenging programme. As you study the compulsory modules, you will learn through individual practical and project work, teamwork and a research project, all of which are designed to help you develop key skills for success throughout your degree and into your future career.
Contact time
In your first year, you will receive a minimum of 10 hours of contact with academic staff per week. You will also be expected to attend other activities such as study groups, workshop activities and film screenings. Your total workload should average about 40 hours per week during term time. The exact amount of time spent working independently varies from module to module.
Museums, galleries, and field trips
We believe it’s really important for you to gain first-hand exposure to works of art and other visual artefacts. You will profit from engaging with the museums and galleries in the region, in addition to field trips to collections in London and elsewhere. You will also can develop expertise in curation through the University’s Bill Douglas Cinema Museum.
Art History and Visual Culture field trip abroad
In the second year of the programme we offer a core module, Art History & Visual Culture Field Study, which involves an intensive study trip abroad to immerse our students in the art, architecture and visual culture of a specific location in Europe. In recent years our study abroad trip has taken place in Florence Italy*.
Research-inspired teaching
Teaching that is inspired by research ensures lectures are up-to-date and relevant: you will benefit from access to the latest thinking, equipment and resources. All options are taught by staff with expertise including art history, architecture, film, photography, visual media, art and technology, curation and exhibition, mixed and virtual realities, performance art and visual culture in the UK and abroad.
Academic support
All students have access to a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There are also a number of services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.
Assessment
You will be assessed in a variety of ways but primarily through exams and coursework. Coursework includes essays, a dissertation and presentation work. The ratio of formal exams to coursework is on average 40: 60 (depending on your choice of modules). Your first year doesn’t count towards your final degree classification, but you do have to pass it in order to progress. In order to be eligible for ‘with Study Abroad’ programmes, you will need to attain an average of 60 per cent or more in your first year. The assessments in the second year, year abroad (if applicable) and final year will contribute to your final degree classification.
*Field course destination subject to change
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in specified subjects, you may have the words 'with proficiency in’ added to your degree title when you graduate.
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Studying Art History & Visual Culture equips students with a broad range of highly desirable transferable skills in analysis, critique, research and theoretical and practical creativity. These will prepare you to enter a wide variety of professions. You will also develop specialist knowledge of everything from traditional art forms such as architecture and sculpture, to today’s visual practices such as film, video, performance and digital art. You will benefit from productive engagement with collections, institutions and art groups in the area, in tandem with the wider arts community in the South West and beyond.
Further study
The Art History & Visual Culture programme prepares its graduates to undertake postgraduate study or training in areas such as education, arts management and journalism, amongst others. Recent graduates have gone on to study:
- MA Publishing
- MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism
- MA Creative Advertising
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- MA Fine and Decorative Arts
- MA Marketing & International Management
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MA Stage and Event Management
Career support and pathways
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
Art History & Visual Culture graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates.
Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:
- Art Gallery Intern
- Brand Intern in fashion industry
- Civil Service Fast Stream
- Collections Information Officer
- Editorial Assistant
- Events Planner
- Marketing Intern
- PR Account Executive
- Researcher
- TV Promotions Assistant
Top 10 in the UK for Classics and Ancient History
7th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme
