BA History of Art (with a year abroad)
About this course
BA (Hons) History of Art (with a year abroad) is a history of art degree examining visual culture, architecture, and material objects across different historical periods. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes an integrated year spent studying or working abroad at an international partner institution before returning for the final stage. The first year introduces fundamental concepts through compulsory modules such as Art History Now, Materials of Art and Architecture, and Transmissions and Connections. Year two builds on this foundation with core studies like Art and Its Institutions and Research Skills for Art History. Optional modules across intermediate and later stages allow students to investigate diverse subjects such as Art Law, The Emergence of Photography, and The First Cities: Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesopotamia. The final year culminates in the completion of a BA Dissertation alongside advanced optional study.
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: AAB You do not need an A level in History of Art. IB: 35 points BTEC: DDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus A at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AA at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus A at A level
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What students say
Based on about 36 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 104 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 58%
- Working and studying: 18%
- Further study: 13%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 14%
- Teaching Professionals: 12%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 78%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 56%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 33%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 475 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 22%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 26%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Art History Now
- Materials of Art and Architecture
- Transmissions and Connections
- The Practices of Art History
- Objects in Focus
- The Art of Looking
- Art and Its Institutions
- Research Skills for Art History
- Italian for Art History Level 2
- Journeys, Histories, and Methods of Display
- Curating the Dressed Body in Fashion History
- Interwoven: Fashion and Clothing Communities in Art History (1800 - the Present)
- Fashion, Sustainability, and Ethics
- Art Law
- What is Pop Art?
- Art in the USA 1942-1975
- Surrealism: Art and Liberty
- Made in Italy
- The Future is Still Female: Art and Feminism since the 1970s
- How to Be a Critic
- The Emergence of Photography
- Camera South Asia
- Indo-British Art, c.1527-1947
- Cut / Bite / Stamp: The Power of the Printed Image in Eighteenth-Century Britain
- Painting in Eighteenth-Century Britain
- The English Country House
- Three Rogue Architects
- Images as Knowledge
- Material Encounters in Northern Renaissance Art
- Contemplation, Knowledge and Power: Medieval Maps
- The Arts of Italy and the ‘Global Renaissance’
- Art in Renaissance Florence: Materials, Making, Agency
- From Brick into Stone: Islamic Architecture in Anatolia During the Long Thirteenth Century
- Looting, Acquiring, Gifting: The Islamic Art Market and Museums
- Babylon-Berlin: Ancient Art and Modern Museology
- Art and Iconoclasm: The Power of Images
- The First Cities: Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesopotamia
- BA Dissertation
- Journeys, Histories, and Methods of Display
- Curating the Dressed Body in Fashion History
- Interwoven: Fashion and Clothing Communities in Art History (1800 - the Present)
- Fashion, Sustainability, and Ethics
- Art Law
- What is Pop Art?
- Art in the USA 1942-1975
- Surrealism: Art and Liberty
- Made in Italy
- The Future is Still Female: Art and Feminism since the 1970s
- How to Be a Critic
- The Emergence of Photography
- Camera South Asia
- Indo-British Art, c.1527-1947
- Cut / Bite / Stamp: The Power of the Printed Image in Eighteenth-Century Britain
- Painting in Eighteenth-Century Britain
- The English Country House
- Three Rogue Architects
- Images as Knowledge
- Material Encounters in Northern Renaissance Art
- Contemplation, Knowledge and Power: Medieval Maps
- The Arts of Italy and the Global Renaissance
- Art in Renaissance Florence: Materials, Making, Agency
- From Brick into Stone: Islamic Architecture in Anatolia During the Long Thirteenth Century
- Looting, Acquiring, Gifting: The Islamic Art Market and Museums
- Babylon-Berlin: Ancient Art and Modern Museology
- Art and Iconoclasm: The Power of Images
- The First Cities: Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesopotamia
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History of Art (with a year abroad) at University of York earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,500 and £39,500. The £30,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for History of art, architecture and design.
What do graduates of BA History of Art (with a year abroad) at University of York do next?
89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History of Art (with a year abroad) at University of York?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA History of Art (with a year abroad) at University of York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
Does BA History of Art (with a year abroad) at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA History of Art (with a year abroad) at University of York?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.