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Undergraduate Study

BA Art History & Visual Culture and Classical Studies - 2024 entry

Please note: The below is for 2024 entries. Click here for 2025 entries.
UCAS code QV83
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2024
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Art History & Visual Culture
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK callers) 
+44 (0)1392 723044 (EU/International callers)

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: ABB
IB: 32/655
BTEC: DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBC
IB: 28/554
BTEC: DMM

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

View 2025 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 10 icon

Top 10 in the UK for Classics and Ancient History

6th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

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Top 10 for History of Art, Architecture and Design

10th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

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Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme

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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.

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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
IB: 28/554
BTEC: DMM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View 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.

CodeModule 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.

CodeModule 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.

CodeModule 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

CodeModule 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).

CodeModule 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.

CodeModule 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: £9,250 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, such as our Global 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.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

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 one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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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

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