Undergraduate students looking at art work in the Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham City Centre - November 2021. Mariam Abedraba Abdalla (pink hat) and Bolusefe Akande (sunflower hat).

Art History and Visual Culture with Foundation Year BA Hons

University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

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View courses in Clearing to start in September 2024

Qualification	Entry Requirements	Start Date	UCAS code	Duration	Fees
BA Hons	BCC	September 2025	V35F	4 years full-time	£9,250 per year

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Faculty of Arts

Qualification	Entry Requirements	Start Date	UCAS code	Duration	Fees
BA Hons	BCC	September 2025	V35F	4 years full-time	£9,250 per year

How to apply

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Course information

Alternative courses for EU/international students

This course is not available to EU/international students. Instead, you may consider the Business, Law and Social Sciences Foundation Certificate. This is offered through the University of Nottingham International College in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways.
Start date:
September 2025

September 2025
IB score

26

IELTS

6.5 overall (with no less than 6.0 in any element)..

This course is available to Home students only.

A level

BCC

Required subjects

GCSE

English grade 4 (C)

Additional entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements apply to 2025 entry.

We do not consider students who already have a degree, EU or International applicants for this programme.

Personal circumstances

This course is part of the university’s commitment to widening participation. As well as meeting the academic entry requirements (BCC), you must have attended a UK state school/college and meet at least one of the following personal background criteria:
1. You live in an area where people are less likely to go to university – check your postcode
2. You were in receipt of free school meals (FSM) on any census day in the six years before the census day of your final KS4 year (that is, the year you were aged 15-16 years old)
3. You are the first generation in your family to enter higher education
4. You will be over 21 years old when you begin your course
5. You have spent more than three months in local authority care (for this criterion you do not need to have attended a state school)
6. You have refugee status from the Home Office
7. You need to study in the East Midlands (for example for family, cultural or financial reasons)
8. You provide long term care of a sick or disabled family member
Where relevant you should include reference to 6, 7 and 8 in your personal statement, or provide this information via artssupport@nottingham.ac.uk when you submit your UCAS application.
Other requirements

This course is only available to Home students.

Alternative courses for EU/international students

This course is not available to EU/international students. Instead, you may consider the Business, Law and Social Sciences Foundation Certificate. This is offered through the University of Nottingham International College in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways.
A level

BCC

Required subjects

GCSE

English grade 4 (C)

IB score

26

Additional entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements apply to 2025 entry.

We do not consider students who already have a degree, EU or International applicants for this programme.

Personal circumstances

This course is part of the university’s commitment to widening participation. As well as meeting the academic entry requirements (BCC), you must have attended a UK state school/college and meet at least one of the following personal background criteria:
1. You live in an area where people are less likely to go to university – check your postcode
2. You were in receipt of free school meals (FSM) on any census day in the six years before the census day of your final KS4 year (that is, the year you were aged 15-16 years old)
3. You are the first generation in your family to enter higher education
4. You will be over 21 years old when you begin your course
5. You have spent more than three months in local authority care (for this criterion you do not need to have attended a state school)
6. You have refugee status from the Home Office
7. You need to study in the East Midlands (for example for family, cultural or financial reasons)
8. You provide long term care of a sick or disabled family member
Where relevant you should include reference to 6, 7 and 8 in your personal statement, or provide this information via artssupport@nottingham.ac.uk when you submit your UCAS application.
UK entry requirements
Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
- Access to HE Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
- BTEC HND/HNC
- BTEC Extended Diploma
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma grades DMM
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma grades DM and A level grade C
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate grade M and A level grades BC
Access to HE Diploma
- Access to HE Diploma 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction, 18 Level 3 credits at Merit and 12 Level 3 credits at Pass
Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
Other requirements

This course is only available to Home students.

Alternative courses for EU/international students

This course is not available to EU/international students. Instead, you may consider the Business, Law and Social Sciences Foundation Certificate. This is offered through the University of Nottingham International College in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways.
UCAS Code:
V35F

V35F
1 year foundation course, 3 year undergraduate course

Study abroad

Subject to you passing your foundation year and progressing to your degree, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions or at University of Nottingham China or University of Nottingham Malaysia.

If you are successful in applying to study abroad, you will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your CV by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English, but there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.

You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.

The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the school website for more information.

Please note: In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.

Optional placement year

If your course does not have a compulsory placement, integrated year in industry or compulsory year abroad where there is already an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of that experience, you may be able to apply to undertake an optional placement year. While it is the student’s responsibility to find and secure a placement, our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout this process. Contact placements@nottingham.ac.uk to find out more.

The school/faculty you are joining may also have additional placement opportunities. Please visit the Department of Cultural, Media and Visual Studies website for more information.

Please note: In order to undertake an optional placement year, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet any requirements specified by the placement host. There is no guarantee that you will be able to undertake an optional placement as part of your course.

Key information

Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

There are no extra compulsory fees to be paid as part of your course beyond your standard tuition fees. Essential course materials are supplied and recommended reading is available from our libraries. For additional costs for years two to four of your degree, please see the Art History and Visual Culture BA course page.

Scholarships and bursaries

There is a wide range of funding available to support you while studying at university. This includes:
- Government loans and grants
- University of Nottingham scholarships and bursaries
Home students*

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Course overview

Delve into the global history of fine arts and visual media, discovering how they continue to shape our contemporary world. You’ll gain future ready skills including project management and creative problem-solving. Plus, you’ll benefit from a school with strong industry connections.

Learn about the creation, distribution, and social contexts of all aspects of art history and visual media. Explore varied topics, from moving image and photography, to printmaking and exhibition histories.

Join a diverse community of students from different backgrounds, learning other points of view and experiences which may challenge your assumptions. You’ll learn in a variety of ways. Small group projects give you the opportunity to connect with your classmates and gain experience in things like project management, writing research proposals, project documentation, effective communication, and ethical conduct.

Indicative modules

Foundation year

Mandatory

Year 1

Important Thinkers Through History

Mandatory

Year 1

Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning

Mandatory

Year 1

Language and Culture

Mandatory

Year 1

Media, Communication and Society

Mandatory

Year 1

Narrative and Creativity

Mandatory

Year 1

The Project / Language Centre modules

About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Thursday 20 June 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Important Thinkers Through History Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning Language and Culture Media, Communication and Society Narrative and Creativity The Project / Language Centre modules

In every field of the arts and humanities there are significant people who have contributed to the intellectual and cultural development of humanity. In this module you’ll consider a selection of these ‘important thinkers’, drawn from different disciplines across the Faculty of Arts, across a broad sweep of history and representing a variety of cultural and geographical contexts.

This module will introduce you to key skills and practices for university work and help you make the transition from school, college or work to undergraduate study. Critical thinking and reflective learning are skills that are essential for thriving on your chosen degree course but they’re also important for developing thoughtful, responsible citizens who contribute effectively to society.

Language and culture are both fundamental aspects of any arts and humanities degree. In this module you’ll develop an analytical and critical approach to English as well as an understanding of the potential challenges and benefits involved in studying other languages and cultures.

This module will analyse the relationship between media, communication and society. The module will allow you to explore how communication occurs and engage with different kinds of reading and texts. You will also assess the positive and negative impacts of communication through a wide range of media.

This module will introduce you to academic theories about narrative and creativity. You’ll also encounter various forms of narrative and ‘storytelling’ to help you consider the role of narrative and creativity in different contexts. This will include exploring the role of creativity and story in society generally, reflecting on your own ‘stories’, and developing your own creativity in a variety of ways.

Extended projects or dissertations are a key feature of many university courses, especially in the final year. This module will help you develop the skills required to design, research and produce a major piece of work for assessment, using media (written and/or other) appropriate to your chosen topic.

If you apply to go on to a modern language degree you may study in our Language Centre in place of taking ‘The Project’ module.

Exception: If you are joining the BA Russian Studies and enter the Foundation Year with A Level Russian, you will take The Project module, and follow the post A Level pathway on the degree.

Teaching and learning

Teaching methods

Lectures
Practical classes
Seminars
Tutorials
Workshops

Your six foundation year modules are assessed using a wide variety of methods.

Each module has two assessment points. For example, our Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning module is assessed by an essay (50% of the module mark) and a reflective learning portfolio (50% of the module mark). These modules will prepare you for undergraduate assessment and allow you to develop a broad range of skills.

Assessment methods

Essay
Poster
Presentation
Portfolio (written/digital)
Creative piece
Workbook

Teaching

During your foundation year you’ll have at least 12 hours of timetabled contact a week through lectures, seminars and workshops. Your tutors will also be available outside these times to discuss issues and develop your understanding.

One-to-one tutorials

You will have four general progress tutorials as well as individual module-focused tutorials during your foundation year.

For learning, assessment, contact and study information after your foundation year see Art History and Visual Culture BA Hons.

Careers

Evidence shows that students commencing their university study at foundation level achieve the same levels of undergraduate degree as their fellow direct-route students, which in turn leads to the same wide range of career options.
In addition to your study we recommend that you participate in at least some of our CV-enhancing programmes which include:

Nottingham Advantage Award
Student Ambassador scheme
subject-specific volunteering programmes

You will also be able to take advantage of the wide range of services offered by our dedicated Faculty of Arts careers team within the Careers and Employability Service.

More information about subject-related careers opportunities from our Careers and Employability Service.

Average starting salary and career progression

78.8% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Arts secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £23,974.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017 to 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Your Campus - University Park

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

The Foundation Year improved my essay-writing skills immensely. On arrival to university, having to write essays seemed quite daunting but the Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning module was key for my development.

Franklyn Ogosi

Theology and Religious Studies with Foundation Year BA Hons graduate

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Help and support

If you’re looking for more information, please head to our help and support hub, where you can find frequently asked questions or details of how to make an enquiry.