Tuition Fee
£9,250.00 (UK/EU)
£14,500.00 (INT)
$38,000.00 (US)
Programme Overview
Critical ideas and an innovative approach play a big role in our BA Art History & Visual Culture programme, perfect for those who want to work in the arts or creative world or go on to do postgraduate study.
You’ll be taken on a fascinating creative journey, beginning in the first year with an exploration of photography, media and communications and world cultural history. Rooted in the American liberal arts tradition, at Richmond you’ll experience a broad range of subjects, from Scientific Reasoning to Creative Expression, all of which will hone your critical thinking.
The second year will focus on how art changes across cultures, and its impact on our economy, health and wellbeing, society and education, setting the visual arts in their wider cultural and political contexts. Our introduction to visual culture will enable you to explore everything from the history and theory of painting and sculpture to print, photography, film, advertising and fashion, developing your communication and research skills.
London becomes the second classroom in year three, as you’ll explore a variety of arts and visual cultures, from pre-history to the present, in the world- leading museums and art galleries which are on the doorstep. Field trips to art centres in the UK and abroad will extend your perspective.
Themes in Contemporary US Art, Cultural Theory, History of Design and Working in the Art World are all core topics in the second half of this programme.
Take your pick from some exciting electives which include Questioning Renaissance Art, Fashion and Media, Film in the Americas and Art in Prehistoric Europe.
We’re proud to offer a strong element of professional practice in this programme, through our teaching approach and our emphasis on the importance of gaining practical experience. The course Working in the Art World explores the creative and cultural industries in London and an internship is offered within a leading arts or creative organisation, to improve your employability after graduation.
As with all of our programmes at Richmond, you’ll be able to study one programme and gain two degrees, one from the UK and one from the US.
Top 5 Reasons To Study This Programme:
- Explore the history and contemporary contexts of art and design across cultures while using London as your base
- Gain fascinating insights into the latest debates within art history and visual culture through a faculty which is very active in research
- Experience original artworks and collections in London’s museums and galleries first hand, gaining valuable skills in observing and interpreting works of art within their historical and cultural contexts
- Benefit from the field trips not only in London, but to other British sites as well as key European art centres
- Develop networks in the global art world and cultural industries through the programme and via the integrated internship, boosting your career options
Modules breakdown
3 Years pathway
Core Modules
CORE SUBJECTS |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Foundations in Photography | Introduction to Art Across Cultures | Museums & Galleries London | Pop to Present: Themes in Contemporary US Art |
Foundations of Mass Media and Communications | Introduction to Visual Culture | Art in Context | Senior Seminar in Art History and Visual Culture I |
World Cultural History | History of Design | Senior Seminar in Art History and Visual Culture II |
|
Transitions I | Cultural Theory | Non Western Visual Cultures |
|
Transitions II | Art History: Theory & Methods | Working in the Art World |
|
Quantitative Reasoning | |||
Scientific Reasoning | |||
Creative Expression | |||
Research and Writing I | |||
Plus QCF Level 3 Elective (can be Gen Ed Hum SS requirement) | |||
Electives
ELECTIVE MODULES |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Plus three of the following: | Plus two of the following: | Plus one of the following: |
|
Stamping Authority | British Art and Architecture | New Media & Visual Power: Themes in Contemporary |
|
Introduction to Film Studies | Art of Prehistoric Europe | Visualising People & Place: Themes in Contemporary |
|
Film in the Americas | History of Photography | Plus 4 of the following OR two of the following and an Internship: |
|
History of Fashion | The Renaissance: New Perspectives | New Media & Visual Power: Themes in Contemporary |
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Introduction to the Business of Fashion | Modern Art and Modernism | Visualising People & Place: Themes in Contemporary |
|
Research and Writing II | Sociology of Culture and Subculture | Questioning Renaissance Art |
|
Plus 4 FHEQ Level 4 Electives (can be Gen Ed Hum SS requirement) | Communications for PR and Advertising | Fashion and Media |
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Mainstream Cinema: Studies in Genre | International Cinema |
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Gender in Film | Transnational Cinema |
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Psychology of Fashion and Luxury Goods | History on Film |
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Plus 3 FHEQ Level 5 Electives | Visualizing Enlightenment: Art, Ideas and Material Culture 1685‐1800 |
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World Internship in Art History & Visual Culture (6 |
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Internship in Art History & Visual Culture (6 CREDITS) |
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4 Years pathway
Core Modules & Electives
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
|---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Fall Semester | Fall Semester |
Foundations of Mass Media and Communications | Museums and Galleries of London | Senior Seminar I |
Foundations of Photography | Art in Context | Non-Western Visual Cultures |
Foundations of World Cultural History | Cultural Theory | Working in the Art World |
Research & Writing I | Elective | Elective |
Creative Expression | Elective | Elective |
Spring Semester | Spring Semester | Spring Semester |
Intro to Visual Culture | Art History : Theories and Methods | Senior Seminar II |
Intro to Art Across Cultures | History of Design | Pop to Present |
Scientific Reasoning | Elective | New Media & Visual Power OR Visualising People & Place |
Quantitative Reasoning | Elective | Elective |
Research & Writing II | Elective | Elective |
3 Year Pathway Entry Requirements
A Level: 3 C’s or equivalent*
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
4 Year Pathway Entry Requirements
A Level: 96 UCAS points
US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points (year 1) BTEC National Diploma: MMM.
Completion of Year 12-13 International equivalent secondary school qualification with a minimum grade average of grade of C including mathematics and English
English Language Requirements (Non Native English Speakers)
Qualification | Undergraduate | Validity Period |
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
TOEFL IBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
First, Advanced, Proficiency – taken after January 2015 | 162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge First: Advantage, Proficiency – taken before January 2015 | Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry |
|
Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
How to apply
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond online Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
- Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
- A personal statement – this can either be emailed as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online
- An electronic copy of your in process or completed high school (secondary school) transcript and graduation certificate
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable. If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended
Application process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone. Find out more about applying.
UCAS Course Code
3 year pathway
RU02
4 year pathway
4A36
Full Time 3-4 Years
Including one year at QCF Level 3
(subject to credit transfer)
Contact our admissions team for more details:
admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Please note: Non US students are eligible
Useful Links
What our students say
Studying for a BA in American Studies at Richmond University was the best decision I made in the last three years (better than the time I said yes to eating an oven baked tarantula, lightly salted).
The classes at Richmond are small – in terms of student numbers, but also dimensionally – and all the better for it. Class discussions are the perfect setting to explore the subject and extract sordid details.
Class contact hours are numerous and the work load is high but time spent with our tutors is extensive which I know, having done the first year of my degree at a British University, is an exceptional quality unique to Richmond University.
With quite a broad subject, taking the degree in the direction I want to is routinely encouraged, as is free thinking and the development of my ideas.
If you want a challenge and to develop an incredible understanding in your field, Richmond American International University in London is the place to go, despite its lengthy title which I may have just got wrong.
The classes at Richmond are small – in terms of student numbers, but also dimensionally – and all the better for it. Class discussions are the perfect setting to explore the subject and extract sordid details.
Class contact hours are numerous and the work load is high but time spent with our tutors is extensive which I know, having done the first year of my degree at a British University, is an exceptional quality unique to Richmond University.
With quite a broad subject, taking the degree in the direction I want to is routinely encouraged, as is free thinking and the development of my ideas.
If you want a challenge and to develop an incredible understanding in your field, Richmond American International University in London is the place to go, despite its lengthy title which I may have just got wrong.
Carley talks about her Study Abroad experience, having spent a semester in Florence:
“I don’t think it’s possible to express the extent to which I have enjoyed this experience. Being in Florence was a phenomenal experience, it is a remarkable city which will stick with me as my second home for the rest of my life.”
“My love for Florence comes from the city, the culture and the food. The people were fantastic, the staff were excellent. It is safe to say my experience would not have been half as amazing without the work and care of everyone on the Richmond in Florence team. I learnt so much about life, Italy and art, it helped me to adapt and taught me how to immerse myself in another culture.”
“Any Study Abroad experience is what you make it, it is easy to have different experiences but I can happily say that I was extremely lucky. I made some amazing friends, met fantastic people, ate some delicious food and created the best memories.”
“I implore everyone, anyone reading this to seriously consider Florence as your next stop in your life. It was one hundred percent the best thing I have ever experienced and I cannot believe that it is over. I expect that it won’t be too long before I find a way to return.”
Carley has written a report about her experiences in Florence. You can download the Word document here.
Where to find us
Richmond Hill Campus
Queen’s Road
Richmond-upon-Thames
TW10 6JP
England
+44 (0) 208 332 8200 (Main Switchboard)
