Art History

Liberal Arts (Art History)

BA (Hons)

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  • Next start date: Sep 2022
  • Future start date: Jan 2023
  • Study: Full-time
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Fee: £18,500
  • UCAS code: V350
  • Study abroad: Optional

Overview

Study a degree that’s tailor-made for you.

A liberal arts degree gives you the freedom to focus on the subjects that most interest you. You’ll concentrate on a major area of study while maintaining a breadth of learning spanning the arts, humanities and social sciences.  

The Art History Major

The Art History Major offers a critical exploration of this exciting and influential field. Through an artistic lens, you will engage in key themes such as feminism, philosophy, politics, racism and religion.  

Exploring London’s museums, galleries and auction houses will introduce you to visual art in all its diverse forms. By examining pieces from across the world, you’ll learn how material culture can inform – and even contradict – global histories.  

Elective modules will help you understand the breadth of this important discipline and also give you a broad skillset.   

Options to learn a language and study abroad at one of our international partners will help expand your learning and global outlook.  

Completing this degree will develop you into a highly employable and open-minded individual who is ready pursue an international career in the arts sector and other related fields. 

 

Student testimonials

Liberal Arts student testimonial, Elizabeth Rae Weinberg

Download the Programme Specification

Structure

Undertake a three-year full-time programme, in which you’ll combine your major with a selection of subjects that reflect your interests. It features four elements: 

  • A major area of specialisation 
  • An optional minor 
  • Several core modules 
  • A wide selection of elective modules 

You will be required to combine your specialist modules with five elective modules in other subjects in Years 1 and 2, and three in Year 3.  

You’ll also take part in three core Liberal Arts modules (Leadership and Liberal Learning, Effective Research, Capstone) and one Global Perspectives module that facilitates interpersonal, intercultural, cross-disciplinary learning, increasing self-awareness and a sense of global citizenship. Topics include employability, equality, entrepreneurship, diversity and sustainability. 

Study abroad

In addition to studying in the heart of London, you’ll have the chance to study abroad for a term in your second year – replacing the second term of your Regent’s degree.  

This provides you with the unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of topics offered by other institutions and gain international experience. 

Year 1 (Core Modules)

Module Title Overview
Contemporary Art  This module introduces you to the diversity of contemporary art, from traditional media such

as drawing, painting and sculpture to more recent media including film, photography, site-specific

and installation art and other new media. You’ll explore issues relevant to contemporary art, such as

globalisation, migration, gender and identity. The aim of the module is to increase your understanding of the multiple factors involved in the production and reception of contemporary art. The global nature of this module will help you develop your understanding and appreciation of other cultures in the contemporary world.

ARH413
Global Perspectives This University-wide common module facilitates interpersonal, intercultural and trans-disciplinary learning for all level 4 students. The module introduces a range of ideas and ways of thinking based around the University’s values. It will encourage you to interact with the broader University community, both socially and academically, asking you to cross the physical and intellectual borders of your degree. Global Perspectives aims to increase self-awareness and a sense of global citizenship, preparing you for your subsequent studies.
Introduction to Drawing  This module will introduce you to the practices in drawing. The aim is to gain confidence in your drawing ability through two key methods: weekly classes in which you will draw using a variety of materials and the study of drawings in the history of art. By examining subjects in a wide range of settings, you will develop your knowledge and observational skills.

ARH412
Introduction to the History of Art This module covers material from across time and space from a global perspective. By exploring diverse artefacts from across the world, you will begin to understand that there is not one but many histories of art, each constructed from a different perspective. In this way, you will develop your understanding of cultural norms and differences, and of how art functions in its varied social, economic and political contexts.

For students starting in January 2022, this module is called Introduction to the History of Art. For students starting in September 2022 or later, this module is called Understanding Art Histories.

ARH411

Liberal Arts Seminar – Leadership and Liberal Learning The purpose of this core module is to help you build awareness and develop potential leadership capacity through engagement with the curriculum. Taking an integrated approach, this module focuses on four interdependent fundamental competencies: critical thinking, communication, cross-cultural understanding and the development of ethical capacity.
Town and Country House Interiors This module introduces you to the various design styles that were popular in Britain from 1600 to 1939. It will help you develop a critical awareness of the history of interior design and gain a sound understanding of relevant historical, cultural, social and political factors. By the end of the module, you should be able to differentiate between the different design styles and understand the primary reasons for their development and employment.

ARH414
Four elective modules  You will select a number of elective modules from subjects that fall outside the remit of your major. These include: Business and management, literature and creative writing, history, international relations, journalism, media and communications, political science, psychology, public relations and a selection of nine languages (you can choose from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Business English).

Year 2 (Core Modules)

Module Title Overview
The Art World The module offers a critical analysis of the world in which art is consumed. It enables you to explore and develop your understanding of the ways in which works of art are presented and marketed. It provides you with the knowledge and analytical tools to understand the complex

interactions between various aspects of the art world in the contemporary context of globalisation thereby enhancing your understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

ARH512
Baroque Art  This module will develop your critical awareness of Baroque Art and give you a sound understanding of relevant historical, cultural, social, political and religious factors at play. You will focus on the ways in which religious change has affected art, exploring topics such as the Catholic Counter-Reformation and the rise of Protestantism in the Netherlands. By the end of the module, you will be aware of the different purposes art served during this period and of the stylistic developments occasioned by those purposes.

ARH513
Liberal Arts Seminar – Effective Research This module addresses the fundamentals of academic research, its aims and ethics. It

will teach you how to use established research methodologies and engage critically with sources in order to interpret research discoveries. You will be introduced to various forms of academic research and their practical application in both the humanities and social sciences. These will include the handling of historical sources, interviews, surveys/questionnaires and content analysis.
Photography Photography as a medium has an inherent ambivalence due to its combination of creativity and factuality. By focusing on photography, you will develop your own critical and creative analytical skills. Discussion of key case studies and of theoretical perspectives will give you an understanding of how the concept of photography has developed. Practical sessions in a darkroom will help you to understand the photographic practices first hand.

ARH514
Renaissance Art and Society  The primary aim of this module is to develop a critical awareness of Renaissance art and gain a sound understanding of relevant cultural, social, political and religious factors at play. By the end of the module, you will understand the different purposes art served during this period and the stylistic developments occasioned by those purposes.

ARH511
Writing about Art This module will introduce you to a range of texts in order to develop your knowledge and

understanding of how works of art have been written about in the past and are written about

today in print and digital media. Engaging with the theories and methods used to

examine art will help you develop your critical skills, communication skills and writing

ability. On completing the module, you will be better able to distinguish between, and critically evaluate, a range of sources.

ARH515
Four elective modules  You will select a number of elective modules from subjects that fall outside the remit of your major. These include: Business and management, literature and creative writing, history, international relations, journalism, media and communications, political science, psychology, public relations and a selection of nine languages (you can choose from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Business English).

Year 3 (Core Modules)

Module Title Overview
Art and Global Conflict This module investigates an important aspect of modern visual culture, namely the

relationship between the fine arts and global conflict during the 20th and 21st centuries. Beginning with the two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War and the Vietnam War as well as the work by contemporary artists, you’ll explore the role played by the state in commissioning art on the theme of conflict and how this affected the resulting works. You’ll also look at other topics including the distinction between art and propaganda, the creation of war memorials, the power of the war poster, the influence of photography, and the growth of mass communication. The contrast between art that glorifies war and the art of protest will also be explored as well as the relationship between art and atrocity. You will examine and debate topics such as the ‘limits of representation’, the issues of religion, race, gender and sexuality, as well as questions of cultural memory and the memorialization process.

ARH614
Curating  This module aims to develop your critical understanding of curatorial practices. Through the study of historical and contemporary examples, it will enable you to question and compare various methods used in curating around the world in relation to relevant theoretical perspectives. It will raise your awareness and understanding of the role space plays in the reception and consumption of art.

For students starting in January 2022, this module is called Curating. For students starting in September 2022 or later, this module is called Approaches to Curating.

ARH612
Rococo to Impressionism: Art in the Age of Revolution This module traces intellectual and cultural currents from the Enlightenment period in the

18th century through the Revolution to the birth of Impressionism, encompassing Rococo, Neo-

Classicism, Romanticism, Realism and early Modernism in art. While this module focuses on French art, it will also examine how examine how the Industrial Revolution was both referenced and avoided in 18th and 19th century British art. By the end of the module, you will be able to recognise, position and discuss the significance of specific artworks and movements.

ARH611
Twentieth-century Modernism The module examines movements and practices through the 20th century in relation to

concepts of Modernism. The argument concerning multiple Modernisms existing in parallel around the world is taken into account when exploring the problematic Modernist notion of

the centre and peripheries. The module aims to enable you to develop your critical and analytical skills as independent researchers and thinkers with a good knowledge of works in the context of historical, cultural, social and political factors. This module will develop your understanding of cross-disciplinary issues relevant to Modernism, including sexuality and gender, colonialism, the ‘other’ and the self.

ARH613
The Liberal Arts Capstone (Dissertation)  The purpose of this module is to bring together the breadth of your learning and experience to bear on a major project. The Capstone runs over two semesters and can take the form of either a reflective practice-based project or a traditional written dissertation. It will be supervised by one or two academics depending on the nature of the project.

Three elective modules  You will select a number of elective modules from subjects that fall outside the remit of your major. These include: Business and management, literature and creative writing, history, international relations, journalism, media and communications, political science, psychology, public relations and a selection of nine languages (you can choose from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Business English).

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications and there is no application fee.

If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply, and we can issue a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you are currently studying for.

There's still time to submit an application. 

Step 1: Apply

Upload supporting documents

You can upload supporting documents when you apply. If you don't, please email them to [email protected] straight after you complete your application. 

  • Copies of academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies (i.e. secondary school and/or university certificates)
  • One academic letter of recommendation
  • A 300-500 word personal statement outlining the reasons for applying to your chosen programme, how you feel you'll benefit from the course, what contributions you'll make to the University and how this will help your future career aspirations
  • A copy of your passport photograph (ID) page
  • If you are not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency.

Credit Transfer

  • If you’ve already studied part of a degree course elsewhere, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join the programme at an advanced entry point. To apply for RPL, state this clearly in your statement of purpose and provide us with the transcripts and module descriptions for the relevant study.

Step 2: Receive a response

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within 10 working days of receipt of your completed application and supporting documents.

We will assess whether you meet our entry requirements and will notify you of the decision via email. UCAS applicants will also receive official notification via the UCAS system.

For some of our courses, the selection process may include an interview or audition. Interviews/auditions can take the form of a one-to-one interview, group interview or portfolio review which may be conducted by telephone or as an online call. Arrangements of these are made between the Admissions Department and the applicant.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept the offer you must pay the advance tuition fee deposit (non-refundable) to confirm your place.

Please see here for information on how to pay.

Step 4: Register 

Closer to the start of the term, the Admissions Team will send information regarding the registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you will need to bring with you to fully register.

Information for international students

If you are an overseas student requiring visa sponsorship to study in the UK, our team will be in touch with information on applying for your student visa and the documents you will need. More information can be found on our visas and immigration page.

Scholarships and funding

There are a wide variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help you finance your studies.

For further information, please visit our scholarships and funding page.

Fees

Tuition fees

Annual fee: £18,500

Non-refundable advance deposit

Home/EU students: £1,000

Non-EU students: £4,000

What do fees include?

Fees cover the cost of all tuition and access to the University’s IT infrastructure and library learning resources. Fees are presented for the first level of study which equates to two terms.

What other costs should I budget for?

Fees cover the cost of tuition. You will need to budget additional funds for accommodation and living expenses, travel, and any additional trips, visits, activities or courses that you choose to participate in outside of the tuition offered as part of the programme.

The library hold a limited number of copies of core text books and where possible in e-format. You will be encouraged to purchase your own text books and will need to budget approximately £80-£100 per year, depending on your programme of study.

When are fees paid?

Fees are payable in the following instalments:

  • An initial non-refundable advance deposit paid when you accept your offer of a place
  • The advance deposit is allocated against the first term’s fees
  • Tuition fees (including fees for subsequent terms) are due two weeks in advance of classes commencing

Calculating fee increases

  • The University sets tuition fees on an annual basis in line with the University's financial year which runs from 1 August to 31 July
  • The fees quoted here are for one academic year of study commencing in September
  • For students starting their programme in January the programme spans two separate financial year accounting periods. Fees for the different teaching terms are calculated separately in line with fees charged in each financial year
  • Fees for subsequent years of study are subject to fee inflation
  • The University aims to keep annual fee increases in line with the University’s cost inflation. The expectation is that this will be no greater than UK consumer price inflation (CPI) plus 3%. There are occasionally variations to this dictated by the costs of running specific programmes or facilities required for our programmes
  • All fee increases are subject to approval of the Trustee Board thus ensuring that affordability for our students remains a primary concern in any decisions regarding fee increases

Study Period Abroad (SPA)

Some programmes at Regent’s University London offer an optional or mandatory Study Period Abroad, for one or two semesters. No SPA can be undertaken in the United States.
 
A student who wishes to attend an “ineligible” school, which includes any school in the USA, will forfeit all funding from that semester going forward and all current loans will become due with immediate effect. For any questions regarding these terms and conditions, please email the US Loans Advisor at [email protected]. For questions regarding what an “eligible” or “deferment only” school is, please  email the IPO office, [email protected] or [email protected] before applying for a programme with an SPA module.

Teaching and assessment

As a small university, we centre our teaching around your individual goals – identifying the skills and support you need to thrive. Small, interactive classes ensure you’ll have a high level of contact with tutors, enabling you to develop your individual strengths and interests. 

Teaching staff

You'll learn from staff who combine strong academic credentials with deep industry experience, offering insights into the latest trends and the chance to apply your learning practically, and attend regular guest lectures with industry professionals – networking and developing partnerships with business owners, journalists, curators and more.

Academics are experts in their fields, but they’re also broad thinkers, able to support your learning across other disciplines throughout your study, so you’ll emerge a well-rounded, innovative thinker. You’ll also be assigned a personal tutor who’ll help you to build a bespoke programme that reflects your passions and future career. 

Practical learning

Engage in authentic experiences that encourage collaboration and self-expression: learning through hands-on tasks such as debates, discussions, role plays, simulations, group projects and workshops, designed to help you develop skills including critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making. 

You'll also take field trips to business hubs, museums, galleries and labs, and join work placements to put your learning in context. Regent's is proud to have close relationships with industry experts and world-leaders and throughout the year, you'll join classes and workshops to learn from the very best. For example:

  • Students taking the 'Introduction to World Histories of Art' module recently joined a workshop with Philippa Abrahams – an expert in artists' materials who has featured regularly on the BBC
     
  • Students taking the Curating module enjoyed an immersive experience at Superblue, an immersive experience in central London
     
  • Students on the Photography module produced their own photograms at Darkroom London
     
  • Some students also visited Claridge's ArtSpace (a new space in London's West End where art can be bought in cryptocurrency) and the British Museum – allowing them to study works from across time periods and cultures first hand
     
  • Students are also regularly taken to Frieze Masters or Frieze London, a few minutes' walk away in Regent's Park, to put their learning into practice – engaging first-hand with the art world in London and exploring the ways in which galleries and collectors combine old and new.

[Images below]

You’ll never learn in silo – everything you study will be connected. You’ll explore topics from a wide range of perspectives, learn to understand the relationships between subjects and start to connect themes and topics across modules.

Contact hours and expected workload

Contact hours in Year 1 and Year 2 are 15 hours per week. In Year 3, you’ll receive 12-13 hours per week as your final capstone project is a supervised module, rather than a classroom-based one. 

You’ll receive a minimum of 10 hours of one-on-one time with your supervisor, to agree the scope and direction of your capstone project. We also offer research skills lectures and drop-in sessions. 

Assessment

At Regent’s, assessments are designed to consolidate your learning – helping you develop practical skills that’ll be useful in your future career.  

Assessment methods vary according to your major and your combination of elective modules, but could include essays, journals, reports, creative portfolios, group projects, presentations, research papers, online exercises and examinations. 

In your final year you’ll complete a major project that brings together the breadth of your learning, combining the knowledge and skills from your major with thinking from other subject areas.  

The Liberal Arts Capstone can either take the form of a reflective project or a traditional written dissertation and is highly personalised – reflecting your unique mix of modules. 

Disability Support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns. This includes learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, mental health difficulties, autism spectrum conditions, mobility difficulties, and temporary or chronic health conditions.

Our dedicated Disability Officer is here to support you. We ask that you speak with Student Registry and our Disability Officer as early as you can to enable us to support you. Find out more about our disability support and contact us.

Philippa Abrahams workshop
Philippa Abrahams workshop
Students at Claridge's ArtSpace
Claridge's ArtSpace
Students at The British Museum
The British Museum
Frieze Masters
Frieze Masters London
Art History students at Superblue
Superblue immersive experience
Art History students at Darkroom London
Darkroom London

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Regent’s education provides you with a high level of personal attention, and this begins from the moment you apply to study with us. We want to understand who you are and what your skills and interests may be – we are interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements. We review each application comprehensively and on its individual merit, considering all of your skills, interests and attributes. 

Minimum entry requirements for Level 4 students

One of the following qualifications:

  • Three GCE A-levels at grade A-C
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 PLUS one of the following:
    - Three AP tests with an average grade of 3 or two AP tests with an average grade of 4
    - Three SAT II (Subject Tests) with a minimum score of 500 in each section or two SAT II with a minimum score of 600 in each section
    - SAT I (Reasoning Tests) with a minimum score of 1800 (600 in each section)
    - ACT with a composite score of 26 (20 in each section)
    - Dual Enrolment and College credits (1st Year) - 30 credits with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Equivalent qualifications as deemed acceptable by the University

We receive applications each year from over 170 countries and are happy to assess all international qualifications.

English Language requirements 

English is our language of instruction and we require proof of your English proficiency. 

You can demonstrate your English proficiency with:

•    IELTS: Overall score of 6.0 with no score below 5.5 in any of the four components

•    PTE Academic: Overall score of 58, with 51 or above in each individual component

•    TOEFL IBT: Overall score 80. (We do not accept TOEFL from applicants requiring a Student Visa, as this qualification is no longer accepted by the UK Visas and Immigration Department, UKVI)

•    A-level/GCSE/IGCSE English: Grade C / 4 or above (for IGCSE certificates, please provide the Supplementary Certifying Statement with the breakdown of component grades)

•    International Baccalaureate: Grade 4 or above in English at Higher or Standard Level

This list is not exhaustive. We will review the English qualifications you submit as part of your application and be in contact if we require anything further.

For applicants who wish to improve their English language proficiency, please see our English language courses.

Regent's English Proficiency Test (REPT)

We provide an online English diagnostic test known as the Regent’s English Proficiency Test (REPT). This test must be booked in advance. To find out more information and to book a test, please visit the REPT page. The REPT test is currently free of charge.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

As a Regent’s student you will take an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) module in your first semester in order to support the development of your academic work in English.

Please note that students who achieve an IELTS 6.5, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent result, are exempt from taking the EAP module and have an additional academic module.

Please note this module is no longer running effective from September 2021.

Students entering with Recognition of Prior Learning

If you are joining your programme at an advanced entry point, we require IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing, with no score below 5.5 in any other components.

Careers

You’ll graduate with a wide range of skills valuable in any workplace, including critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, communication, teamwork and problem-solving – ready to become an engaged, thoughtful and well-informed global leader.  

Industry-active academics and our Graduate Outcomes Team can help to connect you to world-renowned companies, where you’ll build workplace skills and connections you’ll lean on throughout your whole career. 

Liberal Arts alumni have a high rate of employment and occupy various high-profile positions across academia, entrepreneurship, finance, politics, law, management, the arts, marketing, PR, psychology and consultancy. 

Many Liberal Arts graduates also pursue postgraduate study at Regent’s, launch successful enterprises and expand existing family businesses, while making the most of Regent’s lifelong career support and innovative entrepreneurial co-working space. 

Apply now

BA (Hons) Liberal Arts (Art History)

Lidia Militerno
‘Guest speakers from different sectors made my study experience much more complete. It allowed me to understand how art businesses thrive and communicate using technology.’ Lidia Militerno, BA (Hons) Liberal Studies (Art History) student
MMoskowitz1
'Studying at Regents, in the heart of London, has afforded me access to some of the best art in the world and has opened my eyes to new career options and new perspectives on art and its importance in society'. Martha Moskowitz, BA (Hons) Liberal Studies (Art History) alumna