About BA Art History And History in University of Essex
Our course promotes awareness of the interactions and differences between history and the visual arts in history and investigates the ways in which the two disciplines can be integrated. ‘Histories’ are a challenge and we encourage you to look beyond superficial ideas which offer works of art as merely a way of documenting a kind of ‘truth’.
You can learn to understand the ways in which history, ideas and ideologies are manifested in images, and challenge the definitions and perceptions of what documentation and evidence might be. You study the disciplines of history and art history together in order to appreciate the relationships between them with a degree of critical awareness. In so doing, you are offered a unique approach to develop skills which are now vital in a society dominated by the visual image and visual forms of communication.
We are ranked 6th among art history departments in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014, mainstream universities, THE 2014). You will be taught by our expert staff in your very first year and 93% of our art history students expressed overall satisfaction with their course (NSS 2019).
Meanwhile our department of history is known for it's expertise in social history and 92% of our students expressed overall satisfaction with their course (NSS 2019).
Why we're great.
- 93% of our art history students expressed overall satisfaction with their course (NSS 2019).
- Our structured programme of study trips at home and abroad covers both the exotic and the local.
- We house the most comprehensive Latin American art research resource in the UK, ESCALA, which comprises unique original artworks and key books on the subject.
Specialist facilities
- Our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA) is the most comprehensive Latin American art research resource in the UK and has a state-of-the-art teaching and research space. Many of our students gain work and research experience through our collection
- Our onsite gallery Art Exchange runs an ongoing programme of contemporary art exhibitions, talks by curators and artists, and exhibitions organised by our curatorial students
- Enjoy regular visits to London galleries, including Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the National Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as many independent and alternative spaces
- We have several Special Collections in history, including the Essex Society for Archaeology and History Library, the Harsnett Collection, the Hervey Benham Oral History Sound Archive, the Bensusan Collection, and the Colchester Medical Society Library
- Access a variety of textbooks and journals in our Albert Sloman Library which houses materials on Latin America, Russia and the US that are of national significance
Award of the Indian year 12 (Standard XII) examination with an overall average from the four best subjects (excluding PE and local language):CBSE, CISCE and other regional and national boards - 70%, including 70% in one essay-based subject, with 70% in English if taken with CBSE or CISCE board
Karnataka (Bangalore), Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh boards - 60%, including 60% in one essay-based subject
Kolkata (West Bengal board) - 55%, including 55% in one essay-based subject
University of Essex Highlights
Type of University |
Public |
Year of Establishment |
1964 |
Campus Setting |
Urban |
Total Enrollment |
14,760 |
Total Faculty |
843 |
University of Essex The Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses
The annual tuition fees for undergraduate courses is estimated to be around 16,050-18,730€ for a regular course. The approximate costs of living are mentioned in the table below:
Expense |
Cost |
Annual tuition fees |
£7,745-£13,418 |
Accommodation |
£3,683-£8,400 |
Food |
£1,170-£2,100 |
Books and study material |
£605 |
Personal expenses |
£536 |