Overview and entry requirements

The BA History of Art programme is an unrivalled opportunity to study the visual arts, architecture and material culture of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In the first year, students are introduced to the art and archaeology of different regions. They also receive theoretical and methodological training to prepare them for the study of Asian and African art. In years two and three students broaden and deepen their knowledge and have the chance to specialise in particular regions or themes. An emphasis is placed on training students’ visual memory through the study of images. Students are also provided with a critical introduction to the creative and cultural industries.

See Department of the History of Art and Archeology

Combine History of Art with other subjects

The choice of modules selected in the second and third years will determine whether the student sits for the BA History of Art or the BA History of Art and Archaeology. The BA History of Art and Archaeology can be combined with another subject to form a two-subject degree.

• Other disciplines: History, East Asian Studies, Music, Languages and Cultures, Social Anthropolgy, World Philosophies
• Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese

Why study History of Art at SOAS

• SOAS is ranked 44th in the world in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Arts and Humanities
• our Department of the History of Art and Archaeology contains some of the world’s leading experts in Asian and African art history and archaeology, whose ground-breaking research informs and is informed by their teaching.
• our graduates work in arts, culture and heritage roles, including in galleries, museums, archives, conservation, publishing and arts administration.
• the large portfolio of transferable skills students acquire enables them to forge careers in a range of other fields across the world. Many graduates decide to pursue postgraduate study in the History of Art and Archaeology or a related discipline.

Programme Code: V350 BA/HAr

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Structure

The structure and contents of modules reflect the importance given to conceptual and methodological clarity, and to the independent interests of students. Particular importance is given to the training of student’s visual memory through the study of visual images.

One purpose of the introductory year is to provide a basis for the student's selection of modules in the second and third years. The selection of modules in the third year is normally intended to develop the chosen specialisations of the second year. In addition, all third-year students are encouraged to write a 10,000 word Independent Study Project essay (on a subject of their choice) which counts as 30 credits.

Occasionally the availability of optional modules changes as a result of staffing and other circumstances. Students who had signed up for such modules will be notified as soon as possible and given the opportunity to choose from available alternatives.

Year 1

Core Module: Year 1

Compulsory Modules: Year 1

Students will take the following 5 compulsory modules

Optional Modules

Students can take EITHER

Modules to the value of 30 credits from the Language Open Option List or the Non-Language Open Option List

OR

Modules to the value of 30 credits from the list of School of Arts guided options below

OR

A 15 credit module from the Language Open Option List or the Non-Language Open Option List AND a 15 credit module from the list of History of Art and Archaeology guided options below.

Year 2

Compulsory Module: Year 2

Guided Options: Year 2

Students will take modules to the value of 75 credits from the list below

Optional Modules

Students can take EITHER

Modules to the value of 30 credits from the Language Open Option List or the Non-Language Open Option List

OR

Modules to the value of 30 credits from the list of History of Art and Archaeology guided options below 

OR

A 15 credit module from the Language Open Option List or the Non-Language Open Option List AND a 15 credit module from the list of History of Art and Archaeology guided options below.

Year 3

Compulsory Modules: Year 3

Students will take the following module

AND

Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from the list below 

Optional Modules

Students can take EITHER

Modules to the value of 30 credits from the Language Open Option List or the Non-Language Open Option List

OR

Modules to the value of 30 credits from the list of History of Art and Archaeology guided options below 

OR

A 15 credit module from the Language Open Option List or the Non-Language Open Option List AND a 15 credit module from the list of History of Art and Archaeology guided options below.

List of modules (subject to availability)

Modules available in Year 2 or Year 3

Modules available in Year 3 only

Programme Specification

• BA History of Art Programme Specification 2020/21 (pdf; 153kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

All 1st year modules involve a weekly lecture and tutorial. In the 2nd and 3rd year, where student numbers may be lower, a seminar may replace the lecture.

For most modules, assessment involves course work and an unseen examination.
In the 1st year, course work entails short, concentrated pieces of work; in the 2nd and 3rd years, course work emphasis shifts to longer papers.

In the final year, students are normally required to complete an independent study project on a subject of their choice.

Materials

SOAS is exceptional in the regional expertise it offers with regard to languages and literatures, religious studies, history and anthropology. Students have access to an unrivalled range of art-historical and archaeological resources:

• Main Library of the School
• The Courtauld Institute
• The Institute of Archaeology

Contact hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. In the School of Arts, most undergraduate modules have a one- or two-hour lecture or seminar every week. Some, but not all, also have a 1-hour seminar or tutorial every week.

More information is on the page for each module.

Learning resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Tuition fees

Fees for 2021/22 entrants per academic year

Please note that fees go up each year. 

For full details of undergraduate tuition fees, see our Registry's undergraduate tuition fees page.

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

Employment

The BA in History of Art from SOAS gives graduates the essential skills needed to work in a range of arts related jobs such as galleries, museums, archives, conservation, publishing, arts administration, heritage management. Students also gain highly valued transferrable skills that can be applied to other types of professions.

Skills gained

• research skills
• written and oral communication skills
• visual awareness
• ability to select and organise information.

Careers

Careers include employment in:

• museums and galleries
• conservation organisations
• commercial galleries
• auction houses
• art journalism

Other areas:

• heritage industry
• specialist travel companies
• NGOs with cultural programmes such as UNESCO, UNOP, ICOMOS and the World Monuments Fund.
• It also gives access to a range of jobs available for any humanities degree graduate such as teaching and the media.

Find out more on our Careers Service website.

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
• Request a prospectus
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts