Introduction 

This 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.

The 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. Students benefit from the unparalleled knowledge and enthusiasm of staff. As members of the School of Arts, they profit from the insights of scholars and students studying the Music, Film and Media of Asia, Africa and the Middle East in historical and contemporary contexts. They can also select from modules in other departments, taking advantage of SOAS’s unrivalled expertise in the languages, history, religions and cultures of Asia and Africa.

A degree from the Department of the History of Art and Archaeology provides students with expertise in the History of Art and/or Archaeology of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 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 they 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.

Whether a student sits for the BA History of Art or the BA History of Art and Archaeology depends on the modules they select in their second and third years. See the ‘Structure’ tab for details. The BA History of Art and Archaeology can be combined with another subject to form a two-subject degree.

Programme Code: VV43 BA/HArAG

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

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.

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.

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 History of Art and Archaeology guided options below (including the modules designated as having archaeological content)

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 (including the modules designated as having archaeological content).

Year 2

Guided options: Year 2

Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from the list of History of Art and Archaeology modules designated as having archaeological content below

AND

Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits  from the list of History of Art and Archaeology modules at SOAS and/or from History of Art and Archaeology modules at other institutions (e.g. the UCL Institute of Archaeology)

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 (including the modules designated as having archaeological content)

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 (including the modules designated as having archaeological content).

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 of History of Art and Archaeology modules designated as having archaeological content 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 (including the modules designated as having archaeological content)

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 (including the modules designated as having archaeological content).

List of modules (subject to availability)

Options in History of Art & Archaeology available in Year 2 or Year 3

List of Modules designated as having archaeological content (subject to availability)

Modules available in Year 2 or Year 3

Programme Specification

• BA History of Art and or Archaeology Programme Specification 2018/19 (pdf; 275kb)

Important notice

Materials

Students have access to an unrivalled range of art-historical and archaeological resources:

• SOAS Library
• The Courtauld Institute
• The Institute of Archaeology
• The History of Art Department at University College London
• The Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art
• The British Museum

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.

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.

Resources

SOAS Library

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.

A degree from the department of History of Art & Archaeology provides students with a number of transferrable skills that can be applied to other types of professions.  These include: research skills; written and oral communication skills; visual awareness; and specialist subject knowledge of Asian and African art.  Former History of Art & Archaeology students have gone on to employment in a range of professional roles in business and public sectors, as well as continuing in the field of research either at SOAS or other institutions.

Careers include employment in museums, galleries, conservation organisations, commercial galleries, auction houses and art journalism. Other areas include the heritage industry, specialist travel companies, NGOs with cultural programmes such as UNESCO, UNOP, ICOMOS and the World Monuments Fund.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.