BA Art History & Visual Culture

The BA Art History and Visual Culture at the University of Exeter gives students the opportunity to go beyond traditional classroom learning by engaging directly with artworks, collections, museums, and cultural resources. Through field-based study, research projects, presentations, and practical activities, students develop valuable skills in visual analysis, research, communication, and interpretation that are highly relevant to careers in museums, galleries, heritage, media, and creative industries.

Students benefit from Exeter’s strong arts and cultural environment, with access to specialist collections, museums, galleries, and digital resources that support their understanding of art, film, photography, and visual culture. The course encourages students to explore real-world examples, work collaboratively, and apply academic knowledge to professional contexts through research-led and practical learning experiences.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

• Field Study Experience: Students take part in the Art History and Visual Culture Field Study for Blended Learning module, allowing them to explore artworks, architecture, and visual culture through practical, field-based learning activities.

• Museum-Based Learning: Through the Inside the Museum module, students gain insight into museum practices, collection management, exhibition planning, and the ways artworks and objects are presented to different audiences.

• Bill Douglas Cinema Museum: Students can access the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, a specialist collection focused on film and visual media history, supporting learning in areas such as cinema studies, archives, and visual culture research.

• Independent Research Projects: Students complete research assignments and a dissertation in their final year, allowing them to investigate specialist topics and develop strong research and analytical skills.

• Collaborative Learning and Group Projects: Students participate in discussions, seminars, presentations, and group-based activities that develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

• Digital Learning Resources: Students use digital learning platforms and online resources to explore areas such as contemporary visual practices, digital art, photography, film, and visual media.

• Museum and Gallery Engagement: Students gain practical understanding of artworks and cultural objects through visits and engagement with museums, galleries, and collections that complement their academic studies.

• Creative and Cultural Facilities: Students benefit from access to Exeter’s arts facilities and cultural spaces, including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum and university arts venues that support creative exploration and research.

• Research-Led Teaching: Students learn from academics specialising in areas such as art history, architecture, film, photography, visual media, curation, exhibition practices, performance art, and contemporary artistic practices.

The BA Art History and Visual Culture at the University of Exeter prepares students for a variety of career paths by developing valuable skills in research, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and cultural analysis. Graduates can pursue opportunities across museums, galleries, heritage organisations, media, publishing, education, marketing, and creative industries, with potential roles such as museum assistant, collections officer, editorial assistant, researcher, marketing coordinator, events planner, and cultural project officer.

The combination of specialist knowledge in art, visual culture, architecture, film, and contemporary creative practices allows graduates to apply their skills across a wide range of professional environments. The programme helps students build the confidence and experience needed for careers that value strong analytical abilities, creativity, and an understanding of cultural perspectives.

Key opportunities and support include:

• Dedicated Careers Support: Students have access to the University of Exeter’s Careers Service, which provides one-to-one career guidance, employability workshops, mentoring, skills development activities, and opportunities to improve career readiness through initiatives such as the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award.

• Professional Experience Opportunities: Students can choose the four-year BA Art History and Visual Culture with Employment Experience pathway, which allows them to spend a year gaining graduate-level work experience through placements in the UK or overseas. This helps students develop professional skills, expand their networks, and gain practical workplace experience before graduation.

• Cultural and Industry Connections: Students benefit from Exeter’s links with museums, galleries, cultural organisations, and creative communities, helping them understand professional practices in areas such as curation, heritage, exhibitions, media, and arts management.

• Graduate Career Destinations: Graduates have progressed into roles across sectors including museums and heritage, creative industries, publishing, journalism, marketing, education, and business. The transferable skills gained from the degree also support careers beyond the traditional arts sector.

• Employability Development: The university supports students in developing workplace skills through career planning, volunteering opportunities, internships, networking events, and activities designed to improve communication, leadership, and professional confidence.

• Long-Term Value of the Degree: The research, analytical, writing, and communication skills developed through the programme provide graduates with a strong foundation for long-term career growth across cultural, creative, and professional industries.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA Art History and Visual Culture, students can continue their education through postgraduate study or specialist professional training in areas such as art history, museum studies, cultural management, publishing, journalism, education, creative industries, and related humanities subjects. Graduates may progress to master’s degrees in fields such as publishing, multimedia journalism, creative advertising, fine and decorative arts, marketing, international management, law, and stage and event management.