COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA in Art History, Museums and Galleries at UEA offers a thoughtfully structured program that builds knowledge and skills over four years through a combination of academic study, hands-on engagement with art and objects, and real-world experience. In the first year, students are introduced to core concepts and methods in art history, visual analysis, and museum studies, engaging directly with the renowned Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Through modules like “Portraiture and Identity,” “Introduction to Art History,” and “Learning on Site,” students begin to critically examine artworks from multiple perspectives, exploring the social, political and cultural contexts in which they were made and received. Year two deepens this understanding with modules like “The Lives of Objects,” which introduces interdisciplinary approaches to material culture, and “Art in the Contemporary World,” where students explore how art functions in relation to global politics, identity, and institutions. These modules encourage students to question the evolving roles of museums and galleries in contemporary society. In the third year, students undertake a placement year that provides valuable hands-on experience in a professional setting. This immersive year is a key moment in the course, where students apply their academic knowledge in real-world environments and develop essential skills that support future career goals. The final year allows students to specialise through optional advanced modules and culminates in an independent dissertation project, enabling them to research a topic of personal and academic interest under expert supervision. Throughout the degree, the program places emphasis on visual literacy, critical thinking, research, and communication—skills that are not only essential to careers in the arts and heritage sectors but are also highly transferable to a wide range of professional paths.