Department of History of Art and Archaeology & School of Arts

BA History of Art and...

Key information

Duration
3 or 4 years
Start of programme
September
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
Campus
Fees

Home: £9,250
International: £22,870

Entry requirements

AAB-ABB

For joint degrees, the offer is based on the subject with the higher entry requirements

Contextual: ABB-BBB

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 15th in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)

Use our combined courses tool to see a breakdown of course structure

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 2025/26 entrants per academic year

ProgrammeFull-time
Home studentsOverseas students
BA, BSc, LLB£9,250£22,870
BA/BSc Language year abroad£1,385£11,430

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

Find out about our Careers Service.