BA Art and History of Art
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UCAS code
VW31 -
A level offer
Course closed for September 2023 entry -
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2024/25 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2024/25 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Art and the history of art complement one another perfectly. Whilst developing your practical knowledge and skills at Reading School of Art, you can explore the theories and ideas behind different periods and styles of art with our BA Art and History of Art.
Please note that this course is now closed for 2023 applicants.
The first year of this course gives you a broad art foundation, encouraging you to experiment with a wide range of subjects and media. You can explore casting, welding, printing making and digital and technical media as well as more traditional approaches. Modules in Contemporary Art Theory and History of Art complement your core practical learning. Studying history of art will give you an insight into past societies and the different media they used to express themselves. You will consider painting, sculpture, photography, architecture and the decorative arts across a range of periods.
You will receive your own dedicated studio space, accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We focus heavily on exhibitions, and regular field trips to national and international museums, art institutions and galleries will give you the chance to consider the diverse conditions in which art is created, displayed and received. Throughout this course you will have lots of opportunity to gain professional experience by taking part in your own exhibitions, public art commissions and events. Debate and constructive criticism are actively encouraged and you will openly discuss your work with peers and teaching staff.
After your first year you will be assigned a studio tutor and focus on developing your individual and professional practice, working towards your final project and dissertation in the final year. Placements and collaborations are actively encouraged and there is also the chance to experience life in another country. You can also learn a modern language to complement the study abroad option your third year. Throughout your degree you will receive advice and guidance in career development.
Placement
You are encouraged to work with different artists and designers in hosting events and exhibitions. Previous external exhibitions have included Urban Utopia, a partnership between Fine Art and Deutsche Bank, and an exhibition at the Beaconsfield Gallery in London.
You are also expected to undertake placement opportunities. Past students have enjoyed internships at Studio Voltaire and Frieze Art Fair. Others have performed at the ICA, taken part in an Arts Council-supported film project at the Museum of English Rural Life, and participated in an international exhibition at the Seoul Institute of Arts in South Korea.
Regular field trips to national and international museums, art institutions and galleries allow you to consider the diverse conditions in which art is displayed and received. There are also many opportunities for you to apply to study abroad: Reading School of Art has links with universities in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, France, Switzerland and Finland.
For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.
Overview
Art and the history of art complement one another perfectly. Whilst developing your practical knowledge and skills at Reading School of Art, you can explore the theories and ideas behind different periods and styles of art with our BA Art and History of Art.
Please note that this course is now closed for 2023 applicants.
The first year of this course gives you a broad art foundation, encouraging you to experiment with a wide range of subjects and media. You can explore casting, welding, printing making and digital and technical media as well as more traditional approaches. Modules in Contemporary Art Theory and History of Art complement your core practical learning. Studying history of art will give you an insight into past societies and the different media they used to express themselves. You will consider painting, sculpture, photography, architecture and the decorative arts across a range of periods.
You will receive your own dedicated studio space, accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We focus heavily on exhibitions, and regular field trips to national and international museums, art institutions and galleries will give you the chance to consider the diverse conditions in which art is created, displayed and received. Throughout this course you will have lots of opportunity to gain professional experience by taking part in your own exhibitions, public art commissions and events. Debate and constructive criticism are actively encouraged and you will openly discuss your work with peers and teaching staff.
After your first year you will be assigned a studio tutor and focus on developing your individual and professional practice, working towards your final project and dissertation in the final year. Placements and collaborations are actively encouraged and there is also the chance to experience life in another country. You can also learn a modern language to complement the study abroad option your third year. Throughout your degree you will receive advice and guidance in career development.
Placement
You are encouraged to work with different artists and designers in hosting events and exhibitions. Previous external exhibitions have included Urban Utopia, a partnership between Fine Art and Deutsche Bank, and an exhibition at the Beaconsfield Gallery in London.
You are also expected to undertake placement opportunities. Past students have enjoyed internships at Studio Voltaire and Frieze Art Fair. Others have performed at the ICA, taken part in an Arts Council-supported film project at the Museum of English Rural Life, and participated in an international exhibition at the Seoul Institute of Arts in South Korea.
Regular field trips to national and international museums, art institutions and galleries allow you to consider the diverse conditions in which art is displayed and received. There are also many opportunities for you to apply to study abroad: Reading School of Art has links with universities in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, France, Switzerland and Finland.
For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.
Entry requirements Course closed for September 2023 entry
Applications for 2023/24 entry (September start dates) are now closed. Please view the 2024/25 course page for information about the next year of entry.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA1ART | Art Studio | MISS Wendy McLean |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | MS Kelly Lloyd |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA1DS | Drawing skills | MISS Beverley Bennett |
FA1ED | Expanded Drawing | DR Florian Roithmayr |
FA1PF | Postmodernisms & Other Fictions | DR Linda Stupart |
AP1A35 | Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World | PROF Julian Park |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1EM2 | The Fundamentals of Business and Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1EMP10 | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome [10 credits] | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1FOR | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death | DR Gundula Müldner |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | DR Gundula Müldner |
AR1RAT | Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1RAT1 | Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Alanna Cant |
AR1SOC10 | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology [10 credits] | DR Alanna Cant |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1ATT | Approaches to Television | DR Faye Woods |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Tonia Kazakopoulou |
FT1WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
GV1B1 | Introduction to Environmental Science | DR Hazel McGoff |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MRS Daniela Standen |
IL1GMB | Modern Britain: Society, History and Politics | DR Lucy Watson |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
MC1PP | Presenting the Past | DR Rhi Smith |
ML1GEC | Greats of European Cinema | DR Marta Simo-Comas |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | MS Linghe Lei |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Andrew Reid |
PO1WAR | War and Warfare | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | MISS Michela Bariselli |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR George Mason |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
TY1HGC | History of Graphic Communication | DR Rob Banham |
TY1PRI | Printing and printmaking | DR Rob Banham |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA2IS | International Study | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2IS2 | Part 2I Studio | MISS Julia Crabtree |
FA2S2 | Part 2 Studio including Career Management Skills | MS Tina O'Connell |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA2IMW | Visual Thinking and Material Writing | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2IPA | Philosophies and Theories of Art | DR James Hellings |
FA2IS | International Study | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2IS3 | International Study 2 | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2ISP | Independent study with Work Placement | MRS Lauren Little |
FA2IWC3 | What is the Contemporary? 3 | DR Pil Kollectiv |
FA2IWC4 | What is the Contemporary? 4 | DR Pil Kollectiv |
FA2MW | Visual Thinking and Material Writing | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2PA | Philosophies and Theories of Art | DR James Hellings |
FA2SSA | Study Abroad | MISS Beverley Bennett |
FA2WC1 | What is the Contemporary? 1 | DR Pil Kollectiv |
FA2WC2 | What is the Contemporary? 2 | DR Pil Kollectiv |
HS2O10 | The Colonial Experience: Africa, 1879 to 1980 | DR Heike Schmidt |
HS2O14 | Rebel Girls: The Influence of Radical Women 1792-1919 | DR Jacqui Turner |
HS2O16 | ‘The brightest jewel in the British crown’: The Making of Modern South Asia, 1757-1947 | DR Rohan Deb Roy |
HS2O58 | Black Britain: Race and Migration in Post-war Britain | DR Natalie Thomlinson |
HS2STA | Society, Thought and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MC2CCM | Curatorship and Collections Management | DR Rhi Smith |
MC2LE | Museum Learning and Engagement | DR Rhi Smith |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA3HS2 | Studio (joint honours) | PROF Susanne Clausen |
FA3VCD | Art and History of Art Dissertation | DR Florian Roithmayr |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL3AP | Greek & Roman Painting | PROF Amy Smith |
HS3T100 | Sexual Politics: Gender, Sex, and Feminism in Britain after 1918 | DR Natalie Thomlinson |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250
New international students: £20,300
UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
Careers
As well as the practical experience gained on this degree, our students graduate with a range of transferable skills, such as self-motivation, time management and strategic thinking. They also have greater self-confidence and become better able to express themselves.
97% of our graduates are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018/19, based on first degree art responders.
Many of our graduates develop successful careers as artists, writers and curators. These include a number of famous alumni, such as Turner Prize-nominated artists, and PhD students who are award-winning artists and curators at influential museums. Others have found employment in galleries, education, art therapy and film and video production. Recent employers include Tate, Whitechapel Gallery, Christies, Microsoft, the BBC, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Manolo Blahnik.