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BA ART AND HISTORY OF ART

  • UCAS code
    VW31
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

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Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

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. 

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. 

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 A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB

All suitable applicants will be interviewed and will need to provide a portfolio of their work.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core modules include:

  • Art Studio
  • Reading Objects, Writing Images
  • Modernisms & mythologies

Optional modules include:

  • What is the Contemporary?
  • Medium, media and materials
  • Artist as ... models, becomings, encounters
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Art Studio, including career management skills
  • International Study
  • What is the contemporary?

Optional modules include:

  • Critical collaborative methods
  • Aesthetic and anti-aesthetic
  • Visual thinking and material writing
  • Artist as ... models, becomings
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Art Studio

Optional modules include:

  • Image action text
  • Affect, aesthetics and the event
  • Utopias and Other Worlds
  • Landscape and Memory
  • International independent study with work placement
  • What is the contemporary?
  • Bodies of difference
  • Visual thinking and material writing
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Art Studio
  • Art and History of Art dissertation
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250 per year

New international students: £19,500 per year

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.

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.

92% of our art graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of the end of their course [1]. 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.

[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree responders from Art.

The University of Reading offers a wonderful range of subjects. I am a joint honours student and there's a fantastic selection of joint degrees in Art. The Department is very contemporary in its teaching and allows students to work within a wide range of media. The scope of modules in History of Art also means students can tailor their degree. There's excellent pastoral care. I am very glad to have an academic tutor; I feel supported and my tutors truly care about my education and success.

Rosanna McNamara

BA Art and History of Art

ONCAMPUS Reading


International students can enrol on the Undergraduate Foundation Programme (UFP) in Art and Design with a guaranteed opportunity for progression to Art, Design, Film and Theatre degrees at the University of Reading.

To find out more, please visit the ONCAMPUS Reading website.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply

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Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

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  • BA Art and Film & Theatre WW41
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View all Art degree courses at University of Reading courses
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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