Art History and Visual Culture and English

Art and literature help us to make sense of the world around us.

• Ever wonder how cultural shifts impact who we are?

• Or what fuels our self-expression?

• How about the stories that bring us together across time and places?

On this degree, you'll explore the social, historical, and geographical forces that shape art and literature. You'll study written, visual and spoken works across different centuries and cultures - covering everything from fine art and photography to digital media, fiction, poetry and theatre.

Along the way, you'll develop essential skills in research, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.

Curious about how art and literature shape society? With this course, you’ll tap into the expertise of the Department of Cultural, Media and Visual Studies and the School of English.

It’s a unique blend of the study of the written and visual arts and culture putting together insights from cultural studies, history of art, visual culture, modern literature and linguistics. Through your studies, you’ll:

• understand how people interpret and critique both written and visual works

• learn how cultural and social forces shape the way we create and consume art and literature

• explore a range of literary and linguistic approaches, with opportunities to specialise

• develop a global, empathetic perspective on art history, literature and visual culture

• Although studied separately you will gain a thorough interdisciplinary perspective and understanding of art in society. You'll be able to choose modules that complement each other, allowing you to look at the same topic in different ways.

Engaged Arts
All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Why choose this course?

• Ranked 3rd for History of Art, Architecture, and Design in the UK and 5th for English Language (Daily Mail University Guide 2025)

• Have the freedom to explore: following an introductory programme in year one, deepen your knowledge of your favourite topics and explore new ones through a wide range of modules

• Choose from a variety of optional modules from the department of CMVS on media, culture and creative industries, including film, digital, performance and immersive media, media identities, power and protest and more

• Opportunity to apply for The Letters Page project to gain publishing industry skills

• Opportunity to apply for our prestigious competitive Hollywood Internships programme

• Automatic membership of the Creative Student Network for industry opportunities from visiting experts to paid and voluntary work experience

• Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities

• Participate in award-winning media such as Nottingham Student TV, University Radio Nottingham and Impact Magazine

• Explore the vibrant cultural scene in Nottingham, a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and benefit from our staff members’ connections with cultural and art institutions including the university’s own Lakeside Arts Centre.

You can also access this course through a Foundation Year. This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the relevant Foundation Year course for further information.