BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture, an undergraduate arts degree exploring international texts, artistic media and cultural histories across different periods. Core topics include Research Methods and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students may choose to complete an optional placement year or an optional year abroad. The first year covers foundational methods through Reading Texts: Criticism for Comparative Literature and Visual Arts 1: Artists and their Materials. The second year progresses with Histories of Representation and Critical Worlds: Theory for Comparative Literature and Culture. The final year includes the Visual Arts Dissertation as a compulsory component.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB-BBB (Required subjects: A Level with grade B in an essay based subject We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher level or 32 points overall including 5 in an essay based subject at Higher Level
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 260 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 37 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 330 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 35%
- South East: 35%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 195 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Reading Texts: Criticism for Comparative Literature
- Visual Arts 1: Artists and their Materials
- Histories of Representation
- Critical Worlds: Theory for Comparative Literature and Culture
- Visual Arts Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £39,500. The £31,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
Does BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.