BA (Hons) History of Art with Gallery and Museum Studies

Course Overview

What roles do galleries and museums have in society today? How have they shaped our understanding of art? On this course you’ll explore these questions and more through first-hand experience of a major art gallery and museum. You’ll discover the history of art across time and cultures, and explore the relationship between culture and society from the past to the present day, and into the future.

Based in the world-famous Sainsbury Centre, you’ll become part of a unique community. We’re the only Art History Department in the UK located within a world-renowned art museum.

You’ll explore the politics and practises of display across diverse collections and exhibitions. This includes contemporary art galleries, natural history collections, historic houses, and heritage sites. And you’ll consider the work of curators, conservators, and educators, including how they engage broad audiences. These topics are pivotal to careers in museums, galleries, and the heritage sector.

The course allows you to immerse yourself in the historic city of Norwich. You’ll study in the collections of the Sainsbury Centre, which was designed by Norman Foster. You’ll examine objects and artworks. You'll learn about the processes and politics of collecting, while considering diverse communities and audiences. Learning from world-leading experts, you’ll gain different perspectives on art and material culture.

We’re part of an international network for the study and display of art. This includes the Sainsbury Centre, Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. Among the benefits of the network is to enable you to connect with local and national museums. Our graduates have gone on to exciting and rewarding careers in the cultural, creative, and heritage sectors. We look forward to you joining our community.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.

In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

A levels

ABB

BTEC

Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

Extended Diploma: DDM

Diploma: DD plus B at A level.

Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.

BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS:  6.0  overall (minimum  5.5  in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Employability

You’ll graduate ready for a wide range of careers in the museum, gallery and heritage sector, academia, art publishing, teaching and business. You’ll be equipped with sought-after skills such as independent and critical thinking, visual literacy, time management, teamwork, organisational and research skills, public speaking and more. Your experience of studying in a world-famous art museum will give you an edge in the sector. You’ll also be well placed to study for a postgraduate degree either here at UEA or at another university. Our Careers Service is here to support you with advice on writing CVs and internships. In the department, we work closely with the Careers Service to provide workshops and seminars with successful alumni.

Examples of careers that you could enter include:

• Public museums and art galleries
• Commercial art galleries
• Event management
• Publishing
• Journalism
• Teaching/lecturing

Discover more on our Careers webpages.