Ranking
Top 5
in the UK for History of Art
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Course overview
Study a wide range of artworks alongside the language that inspires you the most.
Sharpen your expertise in analysing and interpreting art in its many forms and contexts. Strengthen your linguistic fluency by studying the culture, history, and politics of the societies of your target language.
Course highlights
- Top 5
in the UK for History of Art
Complete University Guide 2026
- Top 100
globally for Modern Languages
QS World Subject Rankings 2025
- Attend seminars and events at our art gallery on campus which houses works by famous artists such as; Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, Magritte and Kollwitz.
- Our diverse optional modules give you the chance to explores areas of art history that interest you the most, from the Medieval to the contemporary.
- Study a modern language from beginner or advanced level - choose from beginners' French, Italian, Russian or Spanish or advanced French or Spanish.
- Study topics of cultural significance, designed and delivered by expert researchers.
The Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies is based in the internationally renowned on-campus art gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, Kollwitz, and Van Gogh. Additionally, the University of Birmingham and the city have extensive art collections and institutions, including painting, sculpture, posters, photography, and manuscripts.
The galleries of the Barber Institute are currently closed due to essential building works. Teaching will recommence in the galleries from autumn 2027. Until then, we will maintain the object-focused learning that sits at the heart of our programmes by immersing students in the rich collections elsewhere in the university and across the city.
Real-life experience on our year abroad
One of the most exciting elements of any degree in Modern Languages is the opportunity to spend your third year abroad, perfecting your language skills, developing a thorough appreciation of another culture and acquiring all manner of transferable skills.
We’ll help you organise your time away, and you’ll be supported throughout by your Year Abroad Coordinator, as well as our academic and wellbeing teams. This means you can relax and embrace hands-on opportunities working, studying or visiting in your chosen countries!
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
Study at the University of Birmingham and learn from world-class experts—authors of key works and leaders with global teaching and research experience.
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
- Lectures: These give you an insightful, expert introduction to key topics; they also provide guidance to support your reading and assessments.
- Seminars: These are small group discussions where you share and test ideas with your academic tutor and your peers. Seminars help you understand topics better and build confidence in sharing your thoughts.
Support during your studies
At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:
- Personal Academic Tutors: You'll have a tutor assigned to you who will guide and support you throughout your studies.
- Wellbeing Officers: The Wellbeing team help with extensions, disabilities, extenuating circumstances, or any personal challenges. They’ll also connect you with further support on campus or elsewhere.
- Academic Writing Advisory Service: Tutorials, workshops and support in structuring an argument and developing your own academic voice.
- Student Experience Team: They offer research opportunities, and cultural, intellectual and social activities to enhance your university experience.
Contact hours
Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.
Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year 1
Year 1
2026/27 Session
COMPULSORY MODULES:
Students must take 60 credits in History of Art and 60 credits in one modern foreign language. The compulsory module Discover: Personal, Academic and Professional Development in Modern Languages counts towards your language credits.
JH students take all compulsory language modules in their relevant language as described below, plus further credits appropriate to their level (beginners or advanced).
Language combinations
Languages that can be combined with History of Art: French, Spanish, Italian and Russian
The following must be taken:
Modern Languages The following language modules are compulsory at Stage I for each language followed.
French (choose either the Beginners or Advanced module):
Students must also take Exploring Identities in the French and Francophone world
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Exploring Identities in the French and Francophone world | 20 |
| French Language 1 (Advanced) | 20 |
| French Language 1 (Beginners) | 20 |
Italian (These modules are compulsory for all students studying Italian):
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Italian Language 1 (Beginners) | 20 |
| Visions of Italy on paper and screen | 10 |
| Visions of Italy through music | 10 |
Russian (These modules are compulsory for all students studying Russian):
Spanish (choose either the Beginners or Advanced module):
Students must also take Introduction to Hispanic Cultures
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Hispanic Cultures | 20 |
| Spanish Language 1 (Advanced) | 20 |
| Spanish Language 1 (Beginners) | 20 |
Year 2
Year 2
2027/28 Session
Students must take a minimum of 40 credits in History of Art and 40 credits in one modern foreign language.
JH students take all compulsory language modules in their relevant language as described below, plus further credits appropriate to their language.
Italian and Russian can only be taken to a maximum of 40 credits in Year 2.
Intermediate French and Intermediate Spanish can only be taken to a maximum of 80 credits if combined with 20 credits of Modern Languages departmental modules Languages departmental modules 1: 40 MIN History of Art
Students taking 40 credits in History of Art History modules there are no compulsory modules from Art History
Students taking 60 or 80 credits in Art History must take the following modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Art History in the Field: Overseas Study Trip | 10 |
| Research Techniques in History of Art | 10 |
Modern Languages The following language modules are compulsory at Stage II for each language followed.
French: (choose either the Intermediate or Advanced module):
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| French Language 2(Intermediate) | 20 |
| French Language 2 (Advanced) | 20 |
Italian: (These modules are compulsory for all students studying Italian):
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Exploring Italian cities: texts and contexts | 20 |
| Italian Language 2 (Intermediate) | 20 |
Spanish: (choose either the Intermediate or Advanced module):
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Spanish Language 2 (Advanced) | 20 |
| Spanish Language 2 (Intermediate) | 20 |
Russian: (These modules are compulsory for all students studying Russian):
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LI 19th Century Russia through the Lens of the Novel | |
| Russian Language 2 (Intermediate): Russian Language in Action | 20 |
Optional Modules:
In addition to compulsory modules, you will select optional modules relevant to the subjects you are studying to the value of 40, 60 or 80 credits per subject with a combined to of 120 credits.
NB: Italian and Russian can only be taken to a maximum of 40 credits in Year 2.
Depending on the number of credits students opt to take in each subject, optional module choices may be restricted (please refer to the module choice information)
Availability of particular modules varies from year to year and is subject to timetabling constraints.
Italian Optional Modules [available to all students but cannot be taken by students studying Russian]:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Exploring Italian cities: texts and contexts | 20 |
Spanish Optional Modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Digital Media and Spanish Youth Culture | 20 |
| Histories of the Excluded: Inquisition and the Birth of Human Rights | 20 |
| Icons of the Hispanic World | 20 |
| Mexican and Chicano Art in the Twentieth Century: Revolution and Beyond | 20 |
| Reading the World in Contemporary Spanish American Fiction | 20 |
| Structures and Varieties of the Modern Hispanic Languages | 20 |
Russian Optional Modules [available to all students but cannot be taken by students studying Italian]:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| 19th Century Russia through the Lens of the Novel | 20 |
Catalan Optional Modules [available to all students but cannot be taken by students studying French]:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Beginners Catalan Language A | 10 |
| Beginners Catalan Language B | 10 |
Departmental Optional Modules [available to all students]:
French Optional Modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Global French: Communities, Politics and International Relations | 20 |
| Sources of Inspiration: Creativity and Adaptation through French Texts | 20 |
Departmental Optional Modules [available to students taking Advanced languages only]:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Translation in the Workplace | 20 |
History of Art
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Abstraction and Beyond | 20 |
| American Art in the 1960s | 20 |
| Art, Architecture and Design in Fin-de-Siècle Vienna | 20 |
| Art, Race and the British Empire, 1837-1901: Contexts, Approaches, Legacies | 20 |
| Craft: Practices, Concepts, Activism | 20 |
| Impressionism and After: Art and Society in Late Nineteenth-Century France | 20 |
| Inside the Gallery: Curating an Exhibition | 20 |
| Making Culture: New Ways of Reading Things | 20 |
| Modern Erotica: Sex, Censorship, and Art | 20 |
| Political Art | 20 |
| Post-War: Art in Britain After the Second World War | 20 |
| Power, Society, Politics: Religious Art in Northern Europe, c. 1400-1600 | 20 |
| Real and Ideal: Art and Society in Mid Nineteenth Century France | 20 |
Year abroad
Year abroad
2028/29 Session
To proceed from Stage II to Stage IIb (Year Abroad) a student must have a minimum of 100 credits to include the relevant compulsory language modules.
Year 2 will be weighted at 25% and final year at 75%. The Year Abroad will be assessed on a pass/fail basis only and it will not contribute to the final degree classification. To proceed from Stage II to Stage IIb (Year Abroad) a student must have a minimum of 100 credits to include the relevant Core III and Core IV language modules. Students following a single language must normally complete 120-credits in total of year abroad modules (all at intermediate level) in that language. Students who enter the University as beginners in a language must normally spend at least a semester (or equivalent work period) in a country where that language is spoken. There is no automatic right to do a work placement in any of the languages. Where students can show valid grounds, as defined and approved by the Department of Modern Languages, exemption from the year abroad may be permitted. In such cases, students will transfer to a 3 year programme. Students will take a combination of the following modules to the value of 120 credits:
Students will take a combination of the following modules to the value of 120 credits:
Year 4
Year 4
2029/30 Session
Students must take a minimum of 40 credits in History of Art and 40 credits in one modern foreign language.
Italian and Russian can be increased to 60 or 80 credits in Final Year if students opt to take additional Independent Study credits in these languages.
JH students take all compulsory language modules in their relevant language as described below
INDEPENDENT STUDY
All students must take 40 credits of independent study in either History of Art or Modern Languages selected from the modules below.
Students may not do a 40 credit dissertation in History of Art if they are taking only 40 credits in History of Art.
Students taking one language and 60 or 80 credits in Art History or Modern Languages must take one of the following dissertation modules.
Students taking 80 credits in Modern Languages or History of Art cannot take the JH Link Dissertation.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Final Year Extended Independent Study Module in Modern Languages | 40 |
| Joint Honours Link Dissertation | 40 |
| Long History of Art Dissertation | 40 |
Modern Languages
The following language modules are compulsory for each language followed.
FRENCH
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| French Language Final Year | 20 |
ITALIAN
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Exploring the self: Dante and Leopardi | 20 |
| Italian Language Final Year | 20 |
RUSSIAN
These modules are compulsory for students studying Russian:
One of 'LH Business Russian' and 'LH Audio-Visual Translation Project: Russian to English' will be offered each year and students must take this module:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Audio-Visual Translation Project: Russian to English | 20 |
| Business Russian | 20 |
| Russian Language Final Year: Towards Fluency | 20 |
SPANISH
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Spanish Language Final Year | 20 |
Optional Modules
In addition to compulsory modules and the independent study module, you may select optional modules relevant to the subjects you are studying to the value of 40, 60 or 80 credits per subject with a combined total of 120 credits.
Availability of particular modules varies from year to year and is subject to timetabling constraints.
French Optional Modules:
Spanish Optional Modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Imagining the Truth: Latin American Culture in a Post-truth World | 20 |
| Performing Gender/Translating Performance | 20 |
| Social and Political Processes in Contemporary Latin America | 20 |
| Spanish Exile Culture | 20 |
| The Digital Past | 20 |
| The Spanish Caribbean: History and Literature | 20 |
| US Latinx Cultures: Spanish Caribbean | 20 |
Departmental Optional Modules [available to all students]:
Catalan Optional Modules [available to all students but cannot be taken by students studying French]:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Catalan Language A | 10 |
| Intermediate Catalan Language B | 10 |
The following is an indicative list from History of Art:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| An Unnatural History: Animals in Modern Western Art | 20 |
| Berlin 1890-1933: Symphony of a (Great?) City | 20 |
| Contemporary Art and Home | 20 |
| Contemporary Art and Masculinity | 20 |
| Fashioning Flesh and Technology: Modernism and the Body in Germany 1918-1933 | 20 |
| Global Art and Cultural Studies | 20 |
| Image as Witness | 20 |
| Inside Out: Interior and Interiority in French Art, Design and Culture 1840-1940 | 20 |
| Michelangelo | 20 |
| Paris Moderne 1850-1930: Image, Concept, Femininity | 20 |
| Rodin Reconsidered | 20 |
| Sculptural Experiments in Britain, 1837-1901 | 20 |
| Sound and Vision: Word, Music, Image 1860-Now | 20 |
| The Pre-Raphaelites: Contexts, Approaches and Reputations | 20 |
| Turning the Pages: Manuscript and Print, Past and Present | 20 |
| Women and Artistic Culture in the Late Medieval and Early Modern Period | 20 |
History of Art only: Students may also apply to undertake a Professional Skills module at level H. If successful this will be taken in place of one of their semester 1 taught modules in History of Art only.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
ABB A level grade B is required for any advanced language you wish to study. See below for full information.
- IB
6,5,5 32 points overall. We require a Higher Level or equivalent in any modern language that you plan to study at Advanced level. See below for full information.
- BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus B at A level in the required subject/s mentioned below. BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A level in the required subject/s mentioned below. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A level, including the required subject/s mentioned below.
Number of A levels required: 3
Required subjects and grades
A level grade B is required for any advanced language you wish to study. If you do not have an A level language or equivalent, it is also possible to study one beginner (including post-GCSE) language without taking an advanced language.
General Studies
Accepted.
IB Diploma
6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall. Higher Level grade 5 is required for any advance language you wish to study. If you do not have a Higer Level language or equivalent, it is possible to study one beginner (including post-GCSE) language without taking an advanced language.
BTEC qualifications
- BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus B at A level in the required subject/s mentioned above.
- BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A level in the required subject/s mentioned above.
- BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A level, including the required subject/s mentioned above.
Independent language diplomas:
If you would like to study advanced French or Spanish as part of your programme but are not currently studying the required language at A level, we are happy to consider applications from those offering an independent language diploma at B2 level as demonstration of advanced language skills.
The independent language diplomas we would consider are as follows; DELF-B2 (French), DELE-B2 (Spanish). These diplomas are assessed against the criteria set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and can be studied for in your own time or through a language centre. These diplomas will be considered when taken in addition to three A levels or equivalent qualifications as outlined above.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Core Maths qualification
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
- IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Am I likely to receive an offer for 2026?
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Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBC - A level
- Contextual Offer
BBB - A level
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £9,535*
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2026/27
*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 14 January 2026
Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Career opportunities
By studying a degree in Modern Languages and History of Art at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to work well with others, strong language and communication skills, plus an awareness of different cultures.
Our Modern Languages graduates have a wide range of skills that are valued by employers, such as:
- Strong communication and presentation skills in English and one or more other languages
- A deep understanding and appreciation of other cultures
- Independence and experience of living abroad
- Expressing thoughts, feelings and opinions in different registers
- Leadership, negotiation, debating and teamwork
- Handling complex information
- The ability to form concise and articulate arguments
The University of Birmingham is proud to be the UK university most targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024 High Fliers report).
Our Modern Languages students have gone on to secure roles such as Translator, Director, Founder, and Communications Manager, working for organisations such as:
- BBC News
- House of Commons
- Warner Bros. Discovery
Our History of Art students have gone on to secure roles such as Founder, Gallery Administrator, Artist, and Director working for organisations such as:
- National Portrait Gallery
- Sotheby's
- Tate
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Arts Council England
The University has commissioned Cturtle as our data partner for tracking our alumni destinations. The data above is a subset from 43,666 alumni who completed their course up to 31 July 2024.
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2025, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Upcoming events
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Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.