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Philosophy and History of Art and Visual Culture

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
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More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

This Joint Honours degree combines the study of Philosophy in equal measure with the study of History of Art and Visual Culture.

Our Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy and Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures have excellent reputations for research and teaching. Studying here means that you will learn from internationally renowned experts who will share their research and experience so that you gain invaluable skills for your future career.

At Royal Holloway we have a unique approach to Philosophy that looks beyond the narrow confines of the Anglo-American analytic or the European traditions of philosophy to focus on both —their relationship and connections between them. The result has been the creation of a truly interdisciplinary and collaborative course that brings together academic staff from departments across the university. Departmental specialisms include a wide range of philosophical topics such as philosophy of art, philosophy of literature ancient and Hellenistic philosophy, 19th and 20th Century European philosophy and contemporary analytic philosophy and American pragmatism.

If you have a passion for the visual arts, History of Art and Visual Culture will give you the skills to read, interpret and analyse images and artefacts across cultures. The research expertise of staff means you will engage in the key phases in the development of the history of art and visual culture and you will develop a creative and critical mindset, with excellent analytical abilities.

  • Learn how to curate an exhibition, write interpretation and conserve artwork

  • Develop critical thinking skills and hone your ability to argue convincingly in writing and orally

  • Make use of our exceptional collection of Victorian Art housed in the Founder’s Picture Gallery

Modules

Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/philosophy/philosophy-and-history-of-art-and-visual-culture/

Assessment method

-Personal tutors in Philosophy and Languages, Literatures and Cultures
-50% modules in Visual Cultures plus 50% modules in Philosophy
-Lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials, workshops, fieldtrips, curating workshops, etc
-Diverse assessment methods from essays and exams to multiple choice questions, cataloguing and exhibition exercises, reports, reflective logs and oral presentations
-Emphasis on continuous feedback both orally and in writing

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VW56
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VW56
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

ABB - BBB
Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant’s education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM
BTEC must be in a relevant subject area.

Access to HE Diploma

D: 27 credits M: 18 credits
Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education .

Scottish Higher

AABBB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD
BTEC must be in a relevant subject plus an A Level Grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D
BTEC must be in a relevant subject plus two A Level Grades B,B

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)

DDD
BTEC must be in a relevant subject area.

Scottish Advanced Higher

ABB - BBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32 points
6,5,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2, H2, H3, H3, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£25900Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
International£25900Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.

This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.

These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.

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