BA Art History & Visual Culture and Classical Studies
| UCAS code | QV83 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | QV84 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
| UCAS code | QV81 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A-Level: ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBC |
Why study BA Art History & Visual Culture and Classical Studies at Exeter?
- 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 10 in the UK for History of Art, Architecture and Design
9th in the Complete University Guide 2026
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
6th in the Complete University Guide 2026; 10th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme
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 B1. 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
You may notice changes to some of our modules over the coming months. This is because we are making space for the following:
- Minors: Future Skills Pathways - Alongside your main degree you may be eligible (depending on your course) to choose modules from another subject to broaden your skills and interests.
- Skills to Thrive built into every degree - Essential skills for your future, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork and digital confidence.
- Increased innovation and wellbeing - More room for creative learning, real-world projects and a healthier study rhythm.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Students must take: 30 credits of compulsory Art History & Visual Culture modules (AHV1011); 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:
Select AHV1011
Select either CLA1005 or CLA1006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
Optional Modules
Select either AHV1005 and AHV1009, or AHV1012, selecting 30 credits in total.
Select 30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules: BA Classical Studies | Stage 1 | Optional 1
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||
| Questions and Methods in Art History and Visual Culture | 30 | |
| Compulsory Choice 2 CLA1005-CLA1006 | ||
| Greek and Roman Narrative | 30 | |
| Greek and Roman Drama | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Honours Options | ||
| Inside the Museum | 15 | |
| Visual Media | 15 | |
| Topics in Art History and Visual Culture I | 15 | |
| Topics in Art History and Visual Culture II | 15 | |
| Approaches to Art History and Visual Culture | 30 | |
| Optional 1 | ||
| Ancient World: Racecraft | 15 | |
| Text and Context: Women in Homer | 15 | |
| Roman Death and Commemoration | 15 | |
| Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny | 15 | |
| Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus | 15 | |
| Text and Context: Roman Laughter | 15 | |
| Ancient World: Roman Philosophy | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
30 credits of compulsory Art History and Visual Culture modules, 30 credits of compulsory Classical Studies modules, 30 credits of optional Art History and Visual Culture modules and 30 credits of optional Classical Studies modules.
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
Select either CLA2005 or CLA2006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
Select 0-30 credits from this list of optional Art History and Visual Culture modules; we recommend selecting at least one module from AHV2002 and AHV2007: BA Art History and Visual Culture | Stage 2 | Combined Honours Options
Select 0-30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules: BA Classical Studies | Stage 2 | Optional 1
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Art History and Visual Culture Field Study for Blended Learning | 30 | |
| Compulsory Choice 2 CLA2005-CLA2006 | ||
| Greek and Roman Narrative | 30 | |
| Greek and Roman Drama | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Honours Options | ||
| Debates and Contestations in Art History | 15 | |
| Contemporary Visual Practices | 15 | |
| Photography and Evidence | 15 | |
| Contemporary Art and Curation | 15 | |
| Common Threads: Art, Craft and Activism | 15 | |
| Renaissances North and South: Italy and the Netherlands | 15 | |
| Revolutions! Art and Society in France, 1770-1830 | 15 | |
| The Dutch Golden Age | 15 | |
| The New York Avant-Garde 1955-1980 | 15 | |
| Comics Studies: Histories, Methodologies, Genres | 15 | |
| Creative Industries: Their Past, Our Future | 30 | |
| Intimate Spaces of the French Enlightenment | 15 | |
| Chinoiserie and Européenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe | 15 | |
| Optional 1 | ||
| Ancient World: Racecraft | 15 | |
| Text and Context: Women in Homer | 15 | |
| Roman Death and Commemoration | 15 | |
| Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny | 15 | |
| Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus | 15 | |
| Text and Context: Roman Laughter | 15 | |
| Ancient World: Roman Philosophy | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
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.
With Study Abroad
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Study Abroad | 120 | |
With Employment Experience
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 2 | ||
| Employment Experience | 120 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
30 credits of compulsory dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30-60 credits of Art History and Visual Culture modules, and 30-60 credits of Classical Studies modules).
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
Select a Dissertation in either Art History and Visual Culture or Classical Studies: AHV3000 or CLA3009 (you cannot choose more than one module from this group).
If selecting CLA3009, select 60 credits from this list of optional Art History and Visual Culture modules: BA Art History and Visual Culture | Stage 3 | Options
If selecting AHV3000, select 60 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules: BA Classics | Stage 3 | Optional 1
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Choice 1 | ||
| Art History and Visual Culture Dissertation | 30 | |
| Dissertation | 30 | |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Options | ||
| Understanding Space in Renaissance Italy | 15 | |
| The Face | 15 | |
| Global Modernisms | 15 | |
| Performance Art | 15 | |
| Paris to the World: Modelling the Modern City | 15 | |
| Installation Art | 15 | |
| Conceptual Art | 15 | |
| "Queen City of Europe": Art, Culture and Society in Renaissance Antwerp, c.1500-70 | 15 | |
| Subjectivity and Storytelling: from Decorative Arts to Digital Futures | 15 | |
| The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Asia and Europe | 15 | |
| Something to See: War and Visual Media | 15 | |
| Art, Industry and the Modern, 1840-1900 | 15 | |
| Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria | 15 | |
| Optional 1 | ||
| Classical Language and Texts: Greek V | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Latin V | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 | |
| Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 | |
| Art, Industry and the Modern, 1840-1900 | 15 | |
| Optional 1 | ||
| The Age of Cicero | 30 | |
| Dissertation | 30 | |
| Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds | 30 | |
| Virgil's Georgic Environment | 15 | |
| Domination and Resistance in Roman Britain | 30 | |
| The World of Late Antiquity | 30 | |
| Receptions of the Classical Body | 30 | |
| Critical Classics and the Contemporary World | 15 | |
| Imagining the World: Geographic Thought and Representation in Antiquity | 15 | |
| Change and Resilience Through History: Polybius and the Rise of Rome | 15 | |
| Time and Relative Dimensions in Space: Historical Analysis and Visualisation with GIS | 15 | |
| Life in the Roman Empire | 15 | |
| Aristophanes and Athenian Old Comedy | 15 | |
| Being and Not-Being in Greek Philosophy: from Parmenides to Aristotle | 15 | |
| Dialogues with the Past: Creative Interpretative Project | 15 | |
| Women Writing Classics | 15 | |
| Lost Works and Fragments | 15 | |
| Roman Political Thought | 15 | |
Course variants
BA Art History & Visual Culture and Classical Studies with Study Abroad
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.
Are there any academic requirements to study abroad?
Yes. If you wish to study abroad as part of this degree course, you must achieve an overall grade of at least 60% (a 2:1) for your first year of study. This applies to all students, even if you are registered on the 'with Study Abroad' variant from the start of your degree.
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.
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.
BA Art History & Visual Culture and Classical Studies with Employment Experience
UCAS code: QV81
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree offers you the option of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements, within the UK or abroad, 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 and country you choose to work in 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.
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
Fees
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
UK students: £9,790 per year
International students: £24,950 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships*. We also provide scholarships for sport, music and other achievements, alongside regional and partner awards such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. Financial support is 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, including deadlines, apply. See our website 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.
Minors: Future Skills Pathways
You can study a Future Skills Pathway alongside your main degree by choosing up to 30 credits of modules from a different subject area in your second and final years.
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
