Visual Arts and Film BA (Hons)

Durham University

Combining still and moving images, advanced academic study and practical skills development, this BA is a degree like no other. It draws on staff research spanning historical periods from classical Rome to the present, and is almost global in its geographical reach. There is an emphasis not only on Western art, film and visual culture, but also those of the Middle East, Russophone Eurasia and East Asia.

The concepts of the ‘visual’ and the ‘image’ you will explore on this course are fundamentally shaped by this transnational perspective. With this scope in mind, the degree offers extensive language-learning opportunities, as part of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. You will have the opportunity to draw on the outstanding collections of the University’s internationally renowned Oriental Museum, its distinguished Western Art collections, and the curatorial expertise of its staff. No previous study of art is required, just a desire to explore the exciting world of visual art and film.

You will have the opportunity to study the art, film and visual culture of Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. As such, alongside the language-learning opportunities, you can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

There is a practical and professional focus too. Depending on your own module choices, field trips, placement opportunities and skills-based modules will give you insights into how art is made, exhibited, bought and sold.

Year 1

You will study 3 core modules that lay a broad foundation for the study of visual arts and film, and 2 optional modules from within or beyond the Faculty. This may include a language.

Year 2

You will study 3 core modules that build on your knowledge and skills in film studies, exhibition display and curating, and digital research skills. Optional modules give you the opportunity to further develop their language skills or expand their knowledge of visual culture and film into more specialised areas, with a particular emphasis on historical and geographical diversity.

Year 3

You must undertake a dissertation project and special subject module. This gives you the chance to apply your existing knowledge in two distinct modules that encourage depth of research. Optional modules allow you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of exhibitions, to further extend your practical skills base in the filmmaking module, or to expand the geographical, historical, or thematic range of your studies.

For more information on this course, please see our website.