Reader in the History of Architecture & Archaeology of the Islamic Middle East
Department of History of Art and Archaeology
& School of Arts
BA History of Art and...
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 3 or 4 years
- Start of programme
- September
- Attendance mode
- Full-time
- Location
- Campus
- Fees
-
Home: £9,535
International: £23,780 - Entry requirements
-
A levels: ABB-BBB
For joint degrees, the offer is based on the subject with the higher entry requirements.
Contextual: BBB-BBC
See undergraduate entry requirements and English language requirements for international and alternative entry requirements.
Course overview
The BA History of Art (combined degree) is an unrivalled opportunity to study the visual arts, architecture and material culture of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The Department of History of Art and Archaeology has world-leading experts in Asian and African art history and archaeology, whose groundbreaking research informs and is informed by their teaching.
In the first year, you will be introduced to the art and archaeology of different regions. You will also receive theoretical and methodological training to prepare you for the study of Asian and African art. In subsequent years, students broaden and deepen their knowledge and have the chance to specialise in particular regions or themes. An emphasis is placed on training students in visual analysis, through the close study of images and objects. Students are also provided with a critical introduction to the creative and cultural industries.
Some two-subject programmes are completed in three years while others take four years and include a year abroad.
Why study BA History of Art (combined degree) at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked top 30 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025)
Study Abroad
Students are able to apply for the optional year abroad in their second year of studies at SOAS. Students will be invited to information sessions about how to apply during their second year of studies by the Study Abroad team. Student applications are considered on academic merit and a personal statement and are subject to availability. Students need to have achieved 55% or higher in their first year of studies to be eligible. For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Use our combined courses tool to see a breakdown of course structure
Key information set data
Teaching and learning
All first year modules involve a weekly lecture and tutorial. Iin the 2nd and 3rd year, where student numbers may be lower, a seminar may replace the lecture.
For most modules, assessment involves coursework and an unseen examination.
- Year 1: In the first year coursework entails short, concentrated pieces of work.
- Year 2 and 3: coursework emphasis shifts to longer papers.
- Year 4: In the final year students are required to complete an Independent Study Project on a subject of their choice, and are also encouraged to undertake projects, supervised by members of staff, in the form of an essay-based advanced.
Year abroad
A 4-year combined degree involves a year abroad
Contact hours
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 15 credits. They are taught over 10 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. In the School of Arts, most undergraduate modules have a one- or two-hour lecture or seminar every week. Some, but not all, also have a 1-hour seminar or tutorial every week.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Fees and funding
Fees for 2026/27 entrants per academic year
| Programme | Full-time | |
|---|---|---|
| Home students | Overseas students | |
| BA, BSc, LLB | £9,535 | £23,780 |
| BA/BSc Language year abroad | £1,425 | £11,770 |
See undergraduate fees for further details.
Employment
Students in the School of Arts develop a critical and theoretically informed approach to global arts and culture. In addition to an intercultural awareness and practical expertise, graduates gain a wide portfolio of transferable skills which are especially sought after in the creative and cultural industries.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- Christie’s
- Christine Park Gallery
- Crisis
- Design Museum
- Hong Kong Museum Of Art
- India Foundation For The Arts
- Japanese Gallery
- Museum of East Asian Art
- Music in Detention
- National Gallery
- Pan Arts
- People Projects Culture & Change
- Roundhouse Trust
- Somerset House Trust
- Songlines Magazine
- Sotheby's
- South Asian Art UK
- Stratford Circus Arts Centre
- Taiwan Embassy
- The Alliance for Global Education
- The British Embassy
- The National Museum Of Korea
- The Royal Collection
- Victoria and Albert Museum
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