BA History of Art (Asia, Africa and Europe)

Programme Code: V351 BA/HArAAE

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Introduction

This is the only degree in the UK to combine the specialist study of Asian, African and European art history. It is taught jointly by the Department of the History of Art and Archaeology at SOAS and the History of Art department at UCL. Students select courses from each institution. They receive theoretical and methodological training, which is combined with the study of particular regions, themes and critical issues.  

The History of Art and Archaeology department at SOAS 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 courses 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.

Please note that a 15 credits module corresponds to a 0.5 unit (taught over one term) and a 30 credits module corresponds to a full unit (taught over both terms).

Students take 120 credits modules in each year. In the first year the student will take two modules at UCL to the value of 60 credits and 60 credits modules in the department of History of Art and Archaeology. They must take a minimum of 45 credits modules from either side in the second year, and a minimum of 30 credits modules from either side in the final year. Thus they bring together the study of European, Asian and African Art in a flexible manner unique within the British University system.

The modules in the UCL part of this degree include, in the first year, general modules which survey the history of art and introduce students to a range of the intellectual, observational and professional skills demanded of the art historian.

In the second year students work on more focused study of aspects of the history of western art since c.1200, and take at least one module concerned with the development of the western idea of art and current approaches to art history, or with the history of the methods and materials of artists.

In the final year students take a Special Subject (a module which treats a theme or career in detail), and may do another special subject and/or an Undergraduate Report (similar to a SOAS Independent Study Project).

Anyone requiring further information on the UCL part of this course should contact Mr Robert Brown at University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, Telephone (0)20 3108 4012, Email r.brown@ucl.ac.uk

The modules taken at SOAS are as follows:

Year 1

• Themes in the Art and Archaeology of Africa
• Themes in the Art and Archaeology of East Asia
• Themes in the Art and Archaeology of the Near and Middle East
• Themes in the Art and Archaeology of South and South East Asia
• Two UCL modules

Year 2

• at least 45 credits SOAS modules:
  • may include one open option module
• at least 45 credits UCL modules

Year 3

• at least 30 credits SOAS modules:
  • normally including an Independent Study Project
  • may include one open option module
• at least 30 credits UCL modules

SOAS Modules Units

Year 1

Years 2 and 3

Year 3

Disclaimer

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 coursework and an unseen examination. In the 1st year, coursework entails short, concentrated pieces of work. In the 2nd and 3rd years, coursework emphasis shifts to longer papers.

In the final year, students are required to complete an Independent Study Project on a subject of their choice, and are also encouraged to undertake projects, supervised by members of staff, in the form of an essay-based advanced study.

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.

Tuition Fees

Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.

Fees for 2018/19 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

Scholarships

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

A BA History of Art (Asia, Africa & Europe) 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.  As well as regional expertise and knowledge, students also gain highly valued transferrable skills that can be applied to other types of professions.  These skills include: research skills, written and oral communication skills, visual awareness and the ability to select and organise information.

A degree in art history gives access to a range of jobs available for any humanities degree graduate such as teaching and the media.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the 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