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Art History and Visual Culture

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Art represents power. Art reflects society. Art makes us think and feel. Studying the history of art helps us see how we got where we are today. And how the future might look.

You'll explore visual cultures across periods, media and societies. You'll also look at how art is both written and talked about. All the time you'll be questioning. Why that material? Why that subject? How did people react then? What does it mean now?

You'll be free to explore widely or follow a theme such as politics or feminism.

Art in context
We make a point of getting out of the classroom:

  • Funded field trip to a major European city where you'll develop your own project in response to what you see and experience

  • On-campus galleries at Lakeside Arts are integral to our teaching

  • Regular visits to study sites and objects at first hand. Watch some of our students reflect on the recent Lakeside exhibition "Breaking the Mould: Sculpture by Women since 1945".

Art in the community
We have close links with Nottingham's dynamic arts scene - including the award winning Nottingham Contemporary and the artist-led Primary - providing opportunities for placements and volunteering.

Research-led teaching
The Centre for Research into Visual Culture actively encourages undergraduates to engage with its research. The recent seminar series "Re-writing history?Monuments, iconoclasm, and social justice movements in 2020" involved our students in the latest debates on statues and monuments - their history and links to oppression and protest.

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?
Top 20 in the UK for History of Art (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Engaged learning - 100% of our students agree we've made the subject interesting National Student Survey 2022
Learn with experts - Regular talks and guest lectures including artists, conservation specialists and curators
Quality teaching - 100% of students agree that staff are good at explaining things National Student Survey 2022
Range across media - Examine painting, sculpture, architecture, graphics, photography, film and more
Explore across time - We cover visual culture from the Renaissance to the present day
Practical experience - Link up with our cultural partners such as Nottingham Contemporary, New Art Exchange, Primary, Backlit and Surface
Explore real-world challenges – study across interdisciplinary themes with our ‘Engaged Arts’ course modules

Hollywood Internships programme
This course is perfect for a career in the creative industries. At Nottingham, you can gain valuable experience through internships, placements, and work opportunities. No more so though than with our prestigious Hollywood Internships programme, unique to Nottingham.

Previous internships have involved:

First-reading of incoming film and television scripts
Collecting audience data and preparing evaluation reports
Filming interviews with Hollywood veterans for the archive
Training, masterclasses, professional lectures and panels
Working front of house at special screenings and industry events
Indicative partner organisations include A24, CAA, Disney, Warner, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate, UTA, and WME. Our partners, and the number and nature of the internships, change each year.

Vacancies are advertised in the Autumn term for students in years two and above. These are highly competitive positions, and places are not guaranteed. Terms and conditions apply.

The internships are supported through the generosity of Peter Rice, Nottingham graduate and former Chair of Disney General Entertainment Content.

The awards are competitive and open exclusively to our students.

Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/art-history-and-visual-culture-ba-U6UAHAVC.html

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
V352
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
V352
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD

Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 21 credits P: 0 credits

Scottish Higher - ABBBB

This qualification is only accepted alongside Scottish Advanced Higher grades AB.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

and A Level grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

and A Level grades BB.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

This qualification is only accepted alongside Scottish Higher grades ABBBB.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points

or 655 in 3 Higher Level Certificates.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - A - B

This qualification is accepted alongside other UoN accepted qualifications such as A Levels.

Extended Project - A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at Grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English grade 4 (alpha grade C)

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) - A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths qualification. Core Maths qualifications offered by other exam boards are also considered for an alternative offer.

European Baccalaureate - 75% overall.

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.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9790*Year 1
EU£24700*Year 1
England£9790*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790*Year 1
Scotland£9790*Year 1
Wales£9790*Year 1
Channel Islands£9790*Year 1
International£24700*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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