History of Art with Italian (with a year abroad) BA
AAB at A level; graduates earn a median £25,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
98% of entrants came with A levels · 95% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer; you do not need an a level in history of art or a language
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 98% with A levels, 2% with other higher education. Based on 55 entrants.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at MeriObtain Access to HE Diploma with 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | — |
| IB | 35 points | — |
| T Level | Distinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in AccountingDistinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Bus | A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting |
| Scottish Highers | AABBB | — |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: arts & humanities 54% · language & communication 35% · transversal skills 7% · social & cultural skills 4%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- The Materials of Art and Architecture
What you learn (7)
- analyse visual material through close critical observation
- interpret the meaning of visual material
- describe materials and techniques used by artists and architects across periods and places
- explain how materials and techniques shape the final artwork
- describe the history of how artworks have been received by viewers
- explain how works are designed to engage viewers and consumers
- explain concepts relating to materiality in art and architecture
- Transmissions and Connections
What you learn (5)
- identify connections between artworks and buildings across different periods and regions
- analyse the cultural significance of selected art objects
- analyse the material complexity of selected art objects
- evaluate key concepts used to explain processes of cultural transmission
- identify key publications relevant to the course themes
- The Practices of Art History
What you learn (7)
- identify key ideas and positions that have shaped art history
- explain how major concepts have influenced art historical practice
- explain how theoretical perspectives underpin art historical analysis
- critically analyse written texts to identify complex arguments
- articulate complex ideas clearly in written or spoken form
- evaluate the challenges and benefits of engaging with difficult texts
- describe how exclusionary practices have shaped art history as a discipline
- Art History Now
What you learn (7)
- identify key debates within art history as a discipline
- describe current scholarly issues shaping art-historical study
- locate specialist art-historical resources using appropriate tools
- apply specialist resources effectively to support art-historical study
- identify different types of art-historical writing
- evaluate the quality and arguments of art-historical texts
- present academic work using conventions appropriate to art history
- Intensive Italian and Cultures: Beginner
What you learn (8)
- interpret simple written or digital texts on social and cultural topics
- interpret short audiovisual material on social and cultural themes
- describe aspects of society and culture using simple sentences
- present information about social and cultural topics orally or in writing
- communicate with reasonable fluency in guided conversational situations
- ask and answer questions about social and cultural matters
- exchange ideas and information with others on cultural subjects
- identify varied cultural conventions in everyday social interactions
- Understanding Italian-speaking Cultures and Societies
What you learn (9)
- identify main messages in clear spoken or written material on cultural topics
- extract specific details from factual material on social and cultural themes
- describe a studied cultural topic using appropriate supporting detail
- present key points of a topic with clear emphasis on significant information
- express personal opinions convincingly on a range of cultural topics
- use the target language accurately to discuss selected topics
- apply correct grammatical structures in spoken and written communication
- interpret a cultural document or event from the target culture
- compare a target-culture document or event with equivalents from familiar cultures
Year 2 · 3 core, 30 optional · 60 credits ≈ 600 hours
- Research Skills for Art History
What you learn (10)
- apply close looking techniques to art historical objects
- critique scholarly texts on art history
- compose academic writing on art historical topics
- produce academic work demonstrating collaborative research skills
- produce academic work demonstrating independent research skills
- evaluate how research methodologies have reshaped interpretations of art objects
- analyse how new research trends challenge established assumptions in art history
- identify personal areas of art historical interest
- formulate a research question within art history
- explain how research skills transfer to professional contexts
- Art and Its Institutions
What you learn (7)
- describe diverse art historical practices used within and beyond heritage institutions
- identify different career pathways available to art historians and curators
- analyse how artworks function within different cultural and institutional contexts
- apply practical skills to address art-related issues inside cultural institutions
- apply practical skills to address art-related issues outside cultural institutions
- manage own work independently to complete tasks
- collaborate effectively with others as part of a team
- Italian Language and Cultures: Advanced
What you learn (8)
- identify key facts about countries and regions where Italian is spoken
- interpret complex written texts in Italian
- interpret audiovisual and digital materials in Italian
- describe complex topics in detail in Italian
- deliver well-structured oral presentations on complex subjects
- communicate effectively in Italian using a broad vocabulary range
- explain the historical and social background of Italian cultural practices
- discuss cultural values drawing on intercultural experiences and media
30 optional modules
- Cut / Bite / Stamp: The Power of the Printed Image in Eighteenth-Century Britain
What you learn (10)
- identify leading British printmakers of the long eighteenth century
- describe the techniques used in eighteenth-century printmaking
- explain how printed images were distributed in this period
- evaluate different art-historical approaches to printed imagery
- construct an original response to art-historical debates
- discuss methodological challenges in studying reproducible graphic art
- relate graphic art study to recent visual culture historiography
- explain key cultural concepts linked to eighteenth-century graphic art
- evaluate how historical art shapes contemporary political debate
- evaluate how historical art shapes contemporary cultural debate
- The English Country House
What you learn (6)
- describe the social evolution of the English country house across four centuries
- explain key architectural changes in English country houses over time
- describe the distinctive features of eight significant country houses
- analyse the design and construction of complex historic buildings
- interpret historic interiors in relation to their original context
- interpret historic gardens and landscapes within their design tradition
- Art in the USA 1942-1975
What you learn (7)
- identify key questions raised by American art of 1942-1975
- describe the social context surrounding the artworks studied
- explain debates in art criticism during the period studied
- describe the development of artists' writing within its context
- select a suitable artwork to support a concise essay argument
- articulate a personal position on seminar topics
- locate personal opinions within relevant critical literature
- Made in Italy
What you learn (5)
- explain key historical debates on national identity formation
- evaluate critical interpretations of how national identity is defined
- describe the social context behind the works studied
- articulate a personal position on seminar discussion topics
- situate personal arguments within relevant critical literature
- From Brick into Stone: Islamic Architecture in Anatolia During the Long Thirteenth Century
What you learn (8)
- analyse monuments in detail to identify construction techniques
- explain the transition from brick to stone construction
- describe key innovations in the architectural use of glazed ceramics
- identify the diverse influences craftsmen combined into a new style
- explain how architectural patronage expressed power and authority
- identify sources contributing to a distinctive medieval regional style
- evaluate scholarly readings critically
- construct a coherent argument based on research findings
- Contemplation, Knowledge and Power: Medieval Maps
What you learn (3)
- identify key examples of medieval maps
- describe the intellectual and cultural contexts of medieval maps
- explain scholarly debates and approaches to studying medieval maps
- Art Law
What you learn (6)
- identify key legal areas relevant to the art world
- explain how general legal principles are adapted to art-related contexts
- explain the implications of classifying artworks as property
- describe how the art market operates
- explain the legal duties of museum and heritage organisations
- explain the ethical responsibilities of museum and heritage organisations
- The Arts of Italy and the ‘Global Renaissance’
What you learn (4)
- describe the arts of selected italian renaissance cities
- explain how ideas and techniques circulated across the italian peninsula
- analyse italian renaissance art and its transcultural connections
- analyse artworks within current and past scholarly debates
- Art in Renaissance Florence: Materials, Making, Agency
What you learn (3)
- identify a wide range of artworks and artefacts from Renaissance Florence
- explain how the contextual significance of artworks changed over time
- explain how materials and techniques of artmaking shaped the meaning of artworks
- Material Encounters in Northern Renaissance Art
What you learn (4)
- identify varied objects produced in northern Europe (14th-16th centuries)
- describe the historical contexts of production and use of these objects
- explain how an object's material construction relates to its intended function
- evaluate how period viewers may have engaged with artworks in different media
- The Future is Still Female: Art and Feminism since the 1970s
What you learn (6)
- identify key artistic and critical feminist practices since the 1970s
- prepare a structured oral presentation with visual illustrations
- construct a clear argument to communicate within a presentation
- lead a group discussion among peers
- describe key theoretical and art historical texts on feminist art
- analyse artworks using theoretical and historical perspectives
- Images as Knowledge
What you learn (5)
- identify key examples of early modern scientific imagery from Europe
- describe the historical range and variety of scientific images produced 1400-1700
- explain how image-making techniques reflected contemporary ideas about nature
- relate design choices in visual images to beliefs about the structure of the world
- evaluate the significance of visual representation across fields like astronomy and botany
- Painting in Eighteenth-Century Britain
What you learn (7)
- identify key painters who shaped eighteenth-century British art
- describe the contribution of major painters to the period's art world
- evaluate changing scholarly interpretations of British art history
- construct reasoned arguments engaging with art historical debates
- explain connections between art production and imperial expansion in Britain
- analyse how art theory influenced painting practice in the period
- use digital resources relevant to eighteenth-century art studies
- Three Rogue Architects
What you learn (7)
- describe the biographical and professional context of three selected architects
- identify the distinctive design approaches and works of each architect
- describe the formal and spatial features of complex buildings
- analyse the design strategies used in complex buildings
- interpret the meaning and significance of complex buildings
- explain the concept of tradition in western architecture
- explain how anti-traditional movements challenged architectural tradition
- Indo-British Art, c.1527-1947
What you learn (4)
- describe specific images and objects from the 1660-1947 period
- analyse visual and material features of selected artworks from the period
- outline the overall development of Indo-British art between 1660 and 1947
- evaluate different historiographical approaches to Indo-British art
- Camera South Asia
What you learn (6)
- describe the development of photographic practice in south asia 1837-1947
- evaluate key photographic works and practices from the period critically
- explain the cultural contexts surrounding indo-british photography
- analyse how cultural factors shaped photographic production in the period
- identify historiographical approaches used to study south asian photography
- apply appropriate methodological frameworks to analyse photographic sources
- Interwoven: Fashion and Clothing Communities in Art History (1800 - the Present)
What you learn (3)
- explain how art history and dress/textile history methodologies intersect
- identify how clothing is represented within particular cultural contexts
- analyse medium-specific challenges in representing dress and textiles visually
- What is Pop Art?
What you learn (7)
- explain the critical writing that legitimised pop art as fine art
- describe how pop art was interpreted differently across global cultures
- explain how the art market and museums shaped the pop art movement
- analyse how pop art changed notions of taste in art criticism and collecting
- examine the relationship between mass culture and fine art practice
- evaluate how pop art's reception challenged ideas of gender, race, sexuality and class
- apply pop art concepts to analyse contemporary contexts
- Journeys, Histories, and Methods of Display
What you learn (8)
- describe the history of exhibition-making across different cultural contexts
- explain how diverse art institutions have developed historically
- describe the historical links between collecting, archiving and curating
- explain an expanded definition of the term exhibition
- critique established assumptions within the canon of art history
- analyse scholarly texts through critical interpretation
- conduct bibliographical research using academic sources
- apply practical research techniques to curatorial projects
- The Emergence of Photography
What you learn (5)
- identify key critical texts relating to photography
- describe a range of photographic practices
- analyse photographs using critical frameworks
- evaluate the discursive effects of photographic images
- compose a clear written response to photographic works
- Art and Iconoclasm: The Power of Images
What you learn (4)
- explain key theories of images and iconoclasm from historical and modern scholarship
- analyse artworks across different media through close visual examination
- evaluate primary and secondary sources critically
- compose clear and concise written accounts of complex historical and theoretical ideas
- How to Be a Critic
What you learn (3)
- identify key modern critical voices in art writing
- evaluate the scope and significance of art writing as a response mode
- develop an experimental personal style for writing about art
- Curating the Dressed Body in Fashion History
What you learn (4)
- explain challenges involved in curating historical garments
- identify opportunities arising from curating dress collections
- combine theoretical and practice-based approaches to analyse fashion history
- describe how heritage science contributes to the study of dress
- Fashion, Sustainability, and Ethics
What you learn (5)
- describe material, visual and textual sources relevant to fashion history
- compare and analyse diverse sources critically
- evaluate interdisciplinary debates on fashion and sustainability history
- apply conceptual frameworks to examine fashion's relation to sustainability
- articulate links between fashion and social or political forces
- Babylon-Berlin: Ancient Art and Modern Museology
What you learn (7)
- describe key developments in Mesopotamian art and architecture across two millennia
- identify how different historical periods have engaged with the ancient past
- conduct close visual analysis of artworks in different media
- critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources
- analyse the relationship between ancient art, archaeology and museology
- evaluate how colonial histories have shaped museum practices
- write clearly about complex historical and art-historical ideas
- The First Cities: Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesopotamia
What you learn (8)
- describe key works of art and architecture from ancient Mesopotamia
- explain how archaeology and museology shape interpretations of ancient art
- evaluate the influence of colonial histories on display and study of ancient artefacts
- identify non-Western conceptions of images and image-making in ancient Mesopotamia
- conduct close visual analysis of artworks across different media
- critically analyse primary and secondary historical sources
- explain relationships between artistic production and socio-political structures over time
- write clearly and concisely about complex historical and conceptual material
- Looting, Acquiring, Gifting: The Islamic Art Market and Museums
What you learn (7)
- describe relationships between dealers, collectors and curators historically
- explain how terminology used for Islamic art has evolved
- describe changes in legal frameworks governing Islamic art trade
- identify ethical issues in trading and displaying Islamic art
- identify key geographic centres and sources of Islamic art trade
- describe methods of faking and forging Islamic art objects
- explain how geopolitics and global economics shape the Islamic art market
- The Role of Art in Italian Society
What you learn (10)
- identify key figures in Italian art history
- describe major historical concepts in Italian art history
- explain how art has influenced Italian history and society
- analyse the link between art appreciation and societal development in Italy
- interpret complex written texts on Italian cultural heritage
- interpret complex spoken materials on Italian art and culture
- construct persuasive arguments in spoken Italian
- construct persuasive arguments in written Italian
- produce accurate spoken Italian
- produce accurate written Italian
- World Cinemas: Representing National and Transnational Societies and Cultures
What you learn (8)
- describe key films from the studied languages and their contexts
- analyse films critically in relation to their cultural context
- compare films from different societies and cultures
- research films to support advanced cultural interpretation
- contribute constructively to a collaborative group project
- research and select relevant information on film and cinema
- present findings on cinema to varied audiences
- communicate fluently in the target language at an advanced level
Year 4 · 2 core, 31 optional · 60 credits ≈ 600 hours
- BA Dissertation
What you learn (6)
- identify a suitable range of visual and textual sources
- engage critically with selected visual and textual sources
- explain relevant contextual materials related to the research topic
- apply relevant critical approaches to the research topic
- formulate independent arguments on the chosen research topic
- produce a dissertation demonstrating advanced research and writing skills
- Italian Language and Cultures: Proficient
What you learn (9)
- interpret complex written and audiovisual texts for implicit meaning
- evaluate stylistic nuances across diverse Italian media sources
- compose fluent, well-structured complex texts in Italian
- apply idiomatic expressions and colloquial language appropriately
- compare multiple perspectives on complex topics
- distinguish personal opinions from source viewpoints
- deliver concise oral presentations on complex subjects
- identify cultural differences across Italian-speaking contexts
- adapt communication style to diverse cultural settings
31 optional modules
- Art Law
What you learn (8)
- identify key legal areas relevant to the art world
- explain how general legal principles are adapted to art-related situations
- explain the legal implications of treating artworks as property
- describe how the art market operates
- explain the legal duties of museum and heritage organisations
- discuss the ethical responsibilities of museum and heritage organisations
- conduct independent research to locate new source material
- evaluate the credibility and relevance of newly found sources
- The Arts of Italy and the Global Renaissance
What you learn (6)
- describe the artistic production of key Renaissance cities in Italy
- explain how ideas, materials and techniques circulated across and beyond Italy
- explain the transcultural connections of Italian Renaissance art
- analyse artworks in relation to historical and current scholarly debates
- identify new primary source material through independent research
- evaluate critically the reliability and relevance of newly identified sources
- Contemplation, Knowledge and Power: Medieval Maps
What you learn (8)
- identify key examples of medieval maps
- describe the distinctive features of major medieval maps
- describe the intellectual context surrounding medieval maps
- explain the cultural context shaping medieval cartography
- explain scholarly debates concerning medieval cartography
- evaluate different approaches used to study medieval maps
- identify new primary source material through independent research
- critically evaluate newly identified source material
- Art in Renaissance Florence: Materials, Making, Agency
What you learn (8)
- identify a wide range of artworks and artefacts from Renaissance Florence
- explain the influence of works from within and outside the Italian peninsula
- explain how contextual factors shaping artworks changed over time
- explain how materials and techniques shaped the meaning of artworks
- analyse artworks with reference to viewing contexts and audiences
- apply period-specific art theory and language to interpret artworks
- situate Renaissance art within past and current scholarly debates
- evaluate the reliability and significance of newly found sources
- Material Encounters in Northern Renaissance Art
What you learn (6)
- identify a range of northern european objects from the late medieval to renaissance period
- describe the historical contexts in which these objects were produced and used
- explain how an object's materials and design relate to its intended function
- evaluate how period viewers might have engaged with artworks in different media
- locate new primary or secondary sources through independent research
- critically appraise the value and reliability of identified sources
- The Future is Still Female: Art and Feminism since the 1970s
What you learn (6)
- identify a range of feminist artistic and critical practices
- structure a coherent illustrated oral presentation on an argument
- lead a peer group discussion
- describe key theoretical and art historical texts on feminism
- analyse artworks from theoretical and historical perspectives
- evaluate new source material gathered through independent research
- Images as Knowledge
What you learn (3)
- identify key scientific images produced in europe c.1400-1700
- explain how image-making techniques reflected contemporary ideas of material structure
- evaluate newly identified source material through independent research
- Made in Italy
What you learn (6)
- explain key historical debates on national identity formation
- compare critical interpretations of how national identity is designated
- describe the social context underlying the studied works
- articulate a personal position on seminar topics
- situate personal opinions within relevant critical literature
- evaluate critically the reliability of newly found sources
- Painting in Eighteenth-Century Britain
What you learn (6)
- identify key painters who shaped eighteenth-century British art
- critique developments in the historiography of British art
- explain the relationship between art and empire in eighteenth-century Britain
- analyse the relationship between art theory and artistic practice in the period
- use digital resources designed for eighteenth-century studies
- evaluate the reliability and relevance of new source material
- Cut / Bite / Stamp: The Power of the Printed Image in Eighteenth-Century Britain
What you learn (12)
- identify prominent British printmakers of the long eighteenth century
- describe printmaking techniques used during the period
- explain how prints were distributed and circulated
- evaluate different art-historical approaches to printed imagery
- construct a creative critical response to scholarly debates
- identify methodological challenges in studying reproducible graphic art
- relate methodological debates to recent visual culture historiography
- explain key cultural concepts in eighteenth-century graphic art
- evaluate how historical art shapes contemporary political debate
- evaluate how historical art shapes contemporary cultural debate
- locate new primary source material through independent research
- evaluate the reliability and relevance of newly found sources
- Three Rogue Architects
What you learn (6)
- describe the biographies and works of three selected architects
- describe the formal and structural features of complex buildings
- analyse the design and construction of complex buildings
- interpret the meaning and significance of complex buildings
- explain the concepts of tradition and anti-tradition in western architecture
- evaluate the credibility and relevance of new source material
- The English Country House
What you learn (4)
- describe eight key examples of english country houses in detail
- analyse complex buildings including their historic interiors
- interpret historic gardens and landscapes
- evaluate critically the reliability of new source material
- Indo-British Art, c.1527-1947
What you learn (6)
- identify key images and objects from Indo-British art, 1660-1947
- describe stylistic and historical features of selected artworks from the period
- outline the overall development of Indo-British art between 1660 and 1947
- evaluate differing scholarly interpretations of Indo-British art history
- locate relevant primary and secondary source material through independent research
- critically assess new source material for its historical value
- What is Pop Art?
What you learn (8)
- explain the critical writings that legitimised pop art as art
- describe how pop art was interpreted differently across global cultures
- explain the roles of the art market and museums in shaping pop art
- analyse how pop art transformed notions of taste in criticism and display
- analyse the intersection between mass culture and fine art practice
- evaluate how pop art's reception challenged ideas of gender, race and class
- apply pop art concepts to analyse other contemporary art contexts
- evaluate newly identified source material critically
- Camera South Asia
What you learn (7)
- describe the development of photographic practice in South Asia under colonial rule
- evaluate critically the practices of photography in South Asia between 1837 and 1947
- explain the cultural context surrounding Indo-British photography
- evaluate critically how cultural factors shaped Indo-British photographic practice
- describe historiographical approaches used in studying South Asian photography
- critique methodological approaches applied to South Asian photography studies
- evaluate critically newly identified source material
- Interwoven: Fashion and Clothing Communities in Art History (1800 - the Present)
What you learn (4)
- explain how art history and dress/textile history methodologies intersect
- describe cultural practices of making, marketing and wearing clothing
- analyse medium-specific challenges in representing dress and textiles
- evaluate the critical value of newly identified source material
- Art in the USA 1942-1975
What you learn (9)
- identify key questions raised by american art of the period 1942-1975
- describe the social context surrounding american art production in this era
- explain key debates in art criticism from the period
- describe how artists' writing developed within this critical context
- select a suitable artwork to support a focused essay argument
- compose clear concise written analysis of complex ideas
- articulate a personal viewpoint on seminar topics
- situate personal opinions within relevant critical literature
- evaluate the critical value of newly identified sources
- Journeys, Histories and Methods of Display
What you learn (7)
- describe the history of exhibition-making across western and non-western contexts
- describe the historical development of varied art institutions
- explain the historical interconnections between collecting, archiving and curating
- explain the concept of exhibition in its broadened meaning
- critique established art-historical canons and their assumptions
- interpret and critically analyse studied texts
- apply bibliographical research techniques to locate scholarly sources
- From Brick into Stone: Islamic Architecture in Anatolia During the Long Thirteenth Century
What you learn (8)
- analyse monuments in detail to infer craftsmen's construction methods
- explain the transition from brick to stone construction
- identify the diverse sources craftsmen used to create a new aesthetic
- explain how architectural patronage projected power and authority
- identify the diverse influences shaping a regional medieval style
- evaluate scholarly readings critically
- construct a coherent argument based on research findings
- evaluate new source material identified through independent research
- Art and Iconoclasm: The Power of Images
What you learn (6)
- describe key theories of images and iconoclasm from past and current scholarship
- analyse artworks in various media through close visual examination
- evaluate primary and secondary sources critically
- compose clear concise written accounts of complex historical ideas
- relate historical iconoclasm to current debates on artwork excavation and preservation
- evaluate the credibility and relevance of newly found sources
- The Emergence of Photography
What you learn (6)
- identify key critical texts relevant to photography history
- describe significant photographic practices
- analyse photographic works using critical frameworks
- evaluate the discursive effects of photography
- compose clear written responses to photographic works
- evaluate the credibility of newly identified sources
- How to Be a Critic
What you learn (5)
- identify key modern critical voices in art writing
- evaluate the boundaries and significance of art writing as response
- develop an experimental personal approach to writing about art
- research independently to locate new source material
- evaluate critically the quality and relevance of sources
- Curating the Dressed Body in Fashion History
What you learn (6)
- explain difficulties encountered when curating dress-related objects
- identify opportunities offered by curating clothing collections
- combine theoretical and practice-based approaches to analyse fashion history
- describe how heritage science contributes to dress studies
- research independently to locate new source material on fashion history
- evaluate critically the validity of newly identified source material
- Fashion, Sustainability, and Ethics
What you learn (5)
- describe material, visual and textual sources relevant to fashion history
- compare and analyse a range of fashion-related sources critically
- evaluate interdisciplinary debates on fashion and sustainability history
- apply theoretical frameworks to explore links between fashion and society
- critically evaluate newly identified research sources
- Babylon-Berlin: Ancient Art and Modern Museology
What you learn (8)
- describe key art and architectural developments in ancient Mesopotamia
- identify how different historical periods have interpreted the ancient past
- analyse artworks across different media through close visual examination
- evaluate primary and secondary sources critically
- explain the relationship between ancient art, archaeology and museum practice
- critique the influence of colonial histories on museum collections
- locate relevant new source material through independent research
- evaluate the reliability and relevance of newly found sources
- The First Cities: Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesopotamia
What you learn (5)
- describe key artworks and buildings of ancient Mesopotamia across its historical periods
- evaluate how archaeology and museum practice have been shaped by colonial histories
- explain non-Western conceptions of images and image-making in ancient Mesopotamia
- conduct close visual analysis of artworks across different media
- critically analyse primary and secondary sources relating to ancient art
- Looting, Acquiring, Gifting: The Islamic Art Market and Museums
What you learn (9)
- explain how terminology used for Islamic art has changed over time
- describe the evolving legal framework governing Islamic art dealing and display
- identify ethical issues arising in dealing with and displaying Islamic art
- identify major geographic centres and markets for Islamic art
- identify sources of supply for Islamic art objects
- describe types of faking and forgery in the Islamic art market since the 19th century
- explain how geopolitics and the global economy influence the Islamic art market
- conduct independent research to locate new source material
- evaluate newly identified source material critically
- World Cinemas: Representing National and Transnational Societies and Cultures
What you learn (9)
- identify key films within their social and cultural context
- describe the political and historical background of selected films
- analyse films in relation to their cultural and societal context
- compare films across different national contexts
- research film texts using appropriate academic sources
- contribute constructively to a collaborative project
- gather and organise information about films for presentation
- present findings on cinema to varied audiences
- communicate fluently in the target language at an advanced level
- The Mafia from its Origins to the Present Day
What you learn (8)
- describe the content of the set texts on the mafia
- interpret multimedia resources such as films and documentaries on the mafia
- explain the historical development of the Sicilian mafia
- plan independent research on a chosen mafia-related topic
- produce accurate written Italian on complex topics
- deliver fluent spoken Italian with increased confidence
- evaluate texts critically using analytical reading skills
- compose critical written analyses of source material
- Independent Study in Languages and Cultures
What you learn (7)
- design a course of independent study in a chosen cultural/linguistic field
- evaluate existing research critically within a chosen topic
- apply prior knowledge of a target-language country's society and culture to the study
- explain key issues debated in the relevant academic literature
- critique prior scholarship relating to the chosen topic
- summarise previous scholarship on the chosen topic
- communicate complex ideas and arguments in written form in the target language
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£25,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£23k
Median£25k
Upper quarter£31k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 40 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 12, 22
Half of graduates earned between £22,500 and £30,500. Five years on, the median is £31,000. 95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 55% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 15% left | 95% | 45 |
| In work or study, 15 months on10% studying | 95% | 15 |
| Professional or managerial job | 55% | 10 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £28,500 | 20 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £25,000 | 40 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £31,000 | 40 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £40,200 in fees over 4 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £27,800 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
74%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 84% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 55 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 15; lowest: 57% on question 24.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 96% |
| Question 2 | 95% |
| Question 3 | 84% |
| Question 4 | 89% |
| Question 5 | 95% |
| Question 6 | 88% |
| Question 7 | 93% |
| Question 8 | 80% |
| Question 9 | 80% |
| Question 10 | 82% |
| Question 11 | 90% |
| Question 12 | 74% |
| Question 13 | 88% |
| Question 14 | 68% |
| Question 15 | 100% |
| Question 16 | 100% |
| Question 17 | 86% |
| Question 18 | 92% |
| Question 19 | 92% |
| Question 20 | 100% |
| Question 21 | 89% |
| Question 22 | 91% |
| Question 23 | 82% |
| Question 24 | 57% |
| Question 25 | 69% |
| Question 26 | 74% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.