BA (Hons)
Arts and Visual Cultures
Degree Programme

Core courses

• LANG 3100 Fundamentals of English for Academic Writing and Oracy

  This course is designed to enable students to communicate effectively at university level. Students will be provided with input from a range of texts and audio from cross-cultural materials and practice fundamental research and writing and oracy skills. Students will become more familiar with the academic environment and its conventions through spoken and written production. With exposure to a range of academic texts, talks and digital skills, students will appreciate the role of academic integrity. The course gives students the opportunity to think, listen, talk and write with confidence and clarity, which will help them succeed in other courses.

• LIBA 3101 Tools for Change

  In this course, students will be introduced to a range of foundational skills to aid in their progression and success at the University and allow them to begin the process of becoming collaborative and independent learners. These skills will be introduced through investigations of social and/or environmental issues in the local area, using group work and report writing. Students will be introduced to, and use, a range of digital platforms as aids to effective communication through professional academic oral presentations and written reports using secondary sources. In addition,students will be presented with reflective writing tools through a personal development portfolio that can aid in self-improvement, particularly in an academic setting.

• LIBA 3102 Fundamentals of Research and Writing

  This course concentrates on developing the students’ ability to read and think critically, and to read, understand and analyse texts from a range of genres. How do you successfully negotiate a path through a sea of information and then write it up? Using essential information literacy skills to help with guided research, this course develops the ability to produce effective and appropriate academic writing across the curriculum.

• SOCL 3101 Fundamentals of Sociology

  This course provides the foundations of studying societies in a global context. It explores a range of sociological approaches from the micro-level of social identities and interactions to the macro-level of structures and processes. It introduces key theoretical frameworks to consider ways in which societies are maintained and changed, and how central social institutions like family, school, work, and media reinforce and challenge the status quo. Students will learn elements of social research and how sociologists investigate pressing issues, such as stigma and deviance, gender socialisation and racialisation, growing up online, and impacts of globalisation, technology, and climate change.

• HIST 3101 London Cultures

  This survey of London’s history from the 17th century to the present foregrounds social and cultural history to help students engage with the metropolis as a catalyst for creativity, highlighting its evolving communities and global interconnectedness. Focusing on the lived experience of Londoners, students will examine how they shaped their city and forged new forms of expression related to identities of gender, race, social class and sexuality. Key areas of focus may include popular entertainment, from street theatre and public executions to the West End; Londoners’ responses to plague, fire and war; the formation of cultural institutions and social movements, as well as popular protests and changing social attitudes. Through personal testimonies and cultural products, such as literature, film, fashion, art, architecture, music and material culture, students will explore how we can understand both contemporary and historical London cultures.

• ARTS 3101 Fundamentals of Visual Thinking

  This course provides a grounding in the practice and theory of visual thinking. Through theoretical frameworks such as semiotics, the course explores the changing role of images in society from a range of cultures and contexts: the arts, politics, science, sport, design and technology. Students will consider digital forms of observation and image making through visual analysis and will build on this understanding through photographic practice. The course examines questions concerning curating, circulating and making public the images we all produce. It asks: What are the values and truths hidden in images? How can the practice of image production advance our thinking around images? How, in the context of a range of disciplines, can we learn to read and communicate ideas visually?

Core modules

• ARTS 4101 History of Arts and Visual Cultures

  Throughout history and across cultures, humans have translated and projected their natural, social and religious environments into images and artefacts. This course explores the making, display, meaning and impact of images and artefacts within specific cultural and societal settings up to the end of the nineteenth century. It focuses on analysing objects, artefacts, images, photography, film, advertising and fashion that shape our knowledge of the past and the present. Students examine the nature of art history and visual culture, learn principles of visual analysis and semiotics, and discuss Canon, Tradition, Perceptions and Representations. Learning is integrated with specialist guest lectures and visits to London museums, galleries and archives.

• COMM 4102 Introduction to Content Creation

  Practical introduction to contemporary media production through creating a podcast, a short film and a photographic essay. Focus on photography, audio and video recording and editing using industry-standard hardware and software. Students build practical skills and creativity across visual and sonic media, study the history of visual and sonic media alongside contemporary professional work, and use strategies such as media skills audits to plan practical work.

Choose one course from:

• COMM 4101 Introduction to Communications and Media

  Comprehensive introduction to the evolution of mass media and communication from print and broadcast to the internet, social media and AI. Covers production and consumption across advertising, public relations, journalism, television, film, music and gaming. Addresses contemporary issues with recent events, applying tools and theories to develop media literacy, including complex topics such as media ownership.

• FILM 4101 Introduction to Film Studies

  Explores film as a medium across cultural and historical contexts, from the first projections in the late nineteenth century to online distribution today. Using noteworthy films, the course introduces key film theories and concepts and examines how ideologies and meanings are embedded in the medium.

Complete Academic Literacies required course:

• LIBA 4301 Academic Research and Writing

  Develops critical research and writing skills for academic and professional settings. Focuses on good scholarship and academic practice required across university study and professional environments. On completion, students confidently use resources to produce well-researched writing that demonstrates critical engagement with a self-selected topic.

Choose one Arts/Humanities course from the following:

• COMM 4103 Introduction to Intercultural Communication

  Provides theoretical and practical understanding of communication within and between cultures to build cohesion and address division. Builds awareness of complex cultural identities and introduces theories of International Communication with practical applications in case studies, simulations and project work.

• HIST 4103 World Cultural History

  Surveys ancient cultures from the Bronze and Iron Ages, exploring how politics, religion, art, trade and beliefs shaped societies. Develops critical engagement with primary and secondary sources to understand state formation, empires and identity. Emphasises trade networks and cross-cultural interactions and builds historical analysis skills.

• FILM 4102 Introduction to Filmmaking

  Introduces key skills for contemporary filmmaking. Students work as a crew, using video cameras, tripods and professional editing software to produce short videos responding to briefs that cover different aspects of production. Noteworthy examples illustrate the breadth of practice and introduce relevant theoretical concerns.

• LANG 4101 Korean Language and Culture 1

  Introductory Korean language and culture with emphasis on oral communication in everyday situations and contemporary South Korean society. Covers Hangul, pronunciation, vocabulary and essential speech patterns, and explores popular culture to connect language and culture.

Choose one Social/Behavioural Sciences course from the following:

• POLS 4101 Rich World, Poor World

  Introduces development studies and explains the existence and persistence of a Poor World within the international order. Addresses issues affecting the Poor World and relations within and between Poor and Rich Worlds. Reflects on theories of development, legacies of colonialism and wider social, political and economic themes.

• ENTR 4101 Introduction to Entrepreneurship

  Foundational study of the entrepreneur as an agent of change. Covers the role of entrepreneurs, history of entrepreneurship and personal dynamics. Introduces idea generation, evaluation and execution, and types of entrepreneurship including apprenticeship, innovative, corporate, franchisee and social. Examines entrepreneurial ecosystems. Emphasises active learning through cases, simulations and practical exercises.

• BUSM 4101 Introduction to Business Management and Marketing

  Foundational understanding of business operations and how organisations reach target markets. Explores core management principles and marketing strategies to create value and build profitable customer relationships.

• FASH 4101 Business of Fashion

  Foundation in the global fashion industry and related careers. Introduces marketing theory, analysis of fashion customers, branding, marketing mix, market research and trend analysis, and explores ethical and sustainable practices in fashion.

• PSYC 4101 Introduction to Psychology

  Introduces major areas of psychology through empirical research and theory. Covers methodology and key areas including biopsychology, brain function, sensation and perception, evolution, development, personality, memory, consciousness, stress, psychological disorders, language, learning and social psychology.

Choose one Data/Numeracy course from the following:

• DATA 4301 Data Literacy

  Introduces data analytic cycles and their role in analysis. Explains why data matters, types of data, and statistical metrics and parameters to describe patterns and behaviour. Uses tools to explore and analyse data and the statistical processes underpinning analysis, with debates on ethical, sustainability and social implications.

• MATH 4101 Probability and Statistics

  Covers descriptive statistics, probability, random variables and expectations, Binomial and Poisson distributions, Normal distribution, sampling distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing for means and proportions (up to two populations), Chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA and F distribution, linear/multiple/non-linear regression and non-parametric methods. Includes SPSS labs with applied work produced in SPSS.

Choose one L4 Science course from the following:

• ENVR 4103 Introduction to Environmental Science

  Addresses climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain, pollution, population and energy issues, land and water issues, and environmental ethics from scientific, economic, socio-political and ethical standpoints. Develops awareness of problems and solutions, emphasising interrelatedness and personal environmental identity.

• ENVR 4101 Earth Systems Science

  Introduces Earth System Science concepts, the Earth’s origins and evolution, and interactions among atmosphere, oceans, biosphere and lithosphere. Provides a basis for understanding natural systems and human impacts, with emphasis on global warming, biodiversity, energy and sustainable development.

• ENVR 4102 Ecology and Conservation

  Examines ecological principles and applications to conservation. Explores population dynamics, species interactions, ecosystems, biodiversity and drivers of decline and extinction. Addresses habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species and conservation strategies at multiple scales through case studies.

• COMP 4101 Introduction to Programming

  Fundamentals of object-oriented programming: variables, objects, classes; control flow and loops; functions and procedures; object interaction and inheritance. May include specialist topics such as mobile application programming.

• PSYC 4302 Biological Basis of Human Behaviour

  Explores relationships between biology and behaviour. Topics include the nervous system, brain, emotion, vision, attention, sleep, motivation and psychopathology, and ethical issues in neuroscience research.

Core courses

• ARTS 5101 Looking at Museums: Memory and Display

  Examines museums and galleries, their roles and functions as meaning-making enterprises. Combines lectures with visits to museums, galleries and heritage sites to engage with objects and displays and to learn about curatorship, education, conservation, management and design. Includes meetings with sector professionals to build grounding for careers in museums and the cultural sector.

• ARTS 5102 Arts and Visual Cultures in Context and Practice

  Builds on History of Arts and Visual Cultures, focusing on modern and postmodern developments in the twentieth century. Considers new media such as film, photography, installation, performance and conceptual art; relationships between fine and decorative arts; and image production and reception in an increasingly technological world. Uses socialist, semiological, queer, feminist, postcolonial and decolonial perspectives.

• ADPR 5101 Visual Communication in Practice

  Practical course using industry-standard design software. Discusses generating and critiquing creative ideas for persuasion. Analyses visual narrative and research, then covers type, colour, layout and composition. Training enables production of images to a brief. No prior design or software experience required.

• ARTS 5103 Studio Photography

  Explores technical and contextual possibilities of the photographic studio. Builds experience with cameras, lighting, backdrops, and working with models and objects, alongside industry-standard imaging software. Surveys historical and contemporary studio practice in fine art, fashion and advertising.

Complete Research Methods required course:

• COMM 5301 Research Methods in Media and Arts

  Equips students with qualitative and quantitative research skills and interpretative frameworks. Covers research questions, designs, literature reviews, analysis, contextualisation and ethics. Addresses cultural assumptions and bias, and builds critical reflection for independent projects in academic and professional settings.

Choose one Service-Learning course from:

• LIBA 5301 Service Learning: Global Citizenship and Migration

  Applies service-learning to conceptions of citizenship and their limitations. Students work on live projects with charities, NGOs or non-profits, addressing real-world issues and reflecting on roles as legal and social citizens. Builds professional and personal skills with a JEDI-aligned approach.

• LIBA 5302 Service Learning: Leadership in a Globalised World

  Applies service learning to global challenges and leadership for positive change. Students lead diverse teams on live projects, developing professional skills with a JEDI-aligned approach to justice, equality, diversity and inclusion.

• LIBA 5303 Service Learning: Sustainability and Society

  Examines theoretical, political and sociological conceptions of citizenship through service-learning projects and reflective practice. Builds professional, entrepreneurial and personal skills with an inclusive JEDI framework.

• LIBA 5304 Service Learning: Digital Collaboration

  Applies service-learning to producing digital work with external organisations and communities. Identifies opportunities for innovation and employment using digital skills. Develops professional practice through live digital projects and critical reflection.

Plus two Level 5 electives from across the curriculum. These can be selected to support a minor outside your subject discipline.

Core courses

• ARTS 6101 Contemporary Debates in Arts and Visual Cultures

  Charts twenty-first-century global arts and visual cultures. Encourages discussion and analysis of visual forms within geopolitical and socio-economic contexts. Explores intersections with politics of representation, indigenous rights, environmental activism and surveillance. Includes regular visits to cultural venues and art-related organisations.

• FILM 6103 International Cinema

  Examines global cinema and how cultural, political and historical contexts have shaped film form and grammar over the last century. Surveys movements such as the French New Wave, Chinese Sixth Generation and Italian Neorealism. Compares representations of non-Western cultures from insider and Hollywood perspectives.

• COMM 6102 Creative Collaboration

  Group-based practice course developing visual, sonic, journalistic and graphic outputs while building collaborative skills. Uses London as a “second classroom” with visits to creative organisations. Engages discourse on curation, management, the international art market, policy and the social and regenerative potential of arts work.

• ARTS 6110 Senior Dissertation in Arts and Visual Cultures

  Capstone dissertation of 6,000–8,000 words on a discipline-relevant topic. Supervised through stages of research and writing. Includes an oral presentation to conference standards and peer feedback.

Plus either:

• ARTS 6401 Internship

  Work placement in arts, visual cultures and related fields. Builds intellectual, professional and personal skills for diverse workplaces. Faculty-supervised with structured learning activities to reflect on development, benefits and future career goals.

Or two of the following Major Options:

• COMM 6101 Contemporary Issues in Global Media

  Examines contemporary media issues across cultural, social, economic and political dimensions. Considers media’s role in public culture and democracy amid technological change, and challenges including sustainability, equality, inclusivity and diversity. Addresses celebrity politics, influencers, public–government–media relations, ethics, law and regulation, and the role of media in a sustainable and just world.

• ADPR 6101 Creative Campaigns in Advertising and PR

  Focuses on developing and executing creative campaigns in advertising and PR. Applies advanced concepts to create impactful campaigns. Critically examines past campaigns and requires planning, pitching and discussion of student-devised integrated campaigns.

• HIST 6101 Culture of Empire

  Examines causes and consequences of empires from comparative and international perspectives, including economic, political, social and cultural (postcolonial) angles. Investigates significance, makers, rise and fall, evaluation, definitions and resistance of empires. Utilises London museums and collections where possible.

• BUSM 6104 Leadership and People Management

  Critical exploration of leadership for managing people and talent. Covers contemporary theories, diversity and inclusion, ethical leadership and social responsibility. Uses real-life cases on attracting, developing, motivating and retaining talent.

• BUSM 6102 Project Management Skills and Methods

  Overview of programme management principles, processes and techniques. Emphasises strategic alignment, stakeholder engagement, risk management and benefits realisation. Surveys methodologies and selection for diverse project scenarios.

Plus one elective of your choice, which may support a minor.