Course summary
Combining still and moving images, advanced academic study and practical skills development, this BA is a degree like no other. It draws on staff research spanning historical periods from classical Rome to the present, and is almost global in its geographical reach. There is an emphasis not only on Western art, film and visual culture, but also those of the Middle East, Russophone Eurasia and East Asia. The concepts of the ‘visual’ and the ‘image’ you will explore on this course are fundamentally shaped by this transnational perspective. With this scope in mind, the degree offers extensive language-learning opportunities, as part of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. You will have the opportunity to draw on the outstanding collections of the University’s internationally renowned Oriental Museum, its distinguished Western Art collections, and the curatorial expertise of its staff. No previous study of art is required, just a desire to explore the exciting world of visual art and film. You will have the opportunity to study the art, film and visual culture of Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. As such, alongside the language-learning opportunities, you can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four. There is a practical and professional focus too. Depending on your own module choices, field trips, placement opportunities and skills-based modules will give you insights into how art is made, exhibited, bought and sold. Year 1 You will study 3 core modules that lay a broad foundation for the study of visual arts and film, and 2 optional modules from within or beyond the Faculty. This may include a language. Year 2 You will study 3 core modules that build on your knowledge and skills in film studies, exhibition display and curating, and digital research skills. Optional modules give you the opportunity to further develop their language skills or expand their knowledge of visual culture and film into more specialised areas, with a particular emphasis on historical and geographical diversity. Year 3 You must undertake a dissertation project and special subject module. This gives you the chance to apply your existing knowledge in two distinct modules that encourage depth of research. Optional modules allow you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of exhibitions, to further extend your practical skills base in the filmmaking module, or to expand the geographical, historical, or thematic range of your studies. For more information on this course, please see our website.
Modules
Year 1 Core modules: Introduction to Visual Culture Studies examines the central issues in visual culture, film studies and the history of art, paying particular attention to the relationship between these three linked areas. Central to the philosophy of the module is an emphasis on global visual cultures and the role translation plays in the study of transnational phenomena. The Art of the Moving Image (1): Key Concepts explores the moving image in a range of formats, genres, histories, media, national contexts, and styles. It will help to develop your ability to analyse and critique moving image texts. You will be familiarised with the complexity and specificity of the moving image by focusing on aspects such as audiences, auteurs, cinematography, editing, industries, performance, sound and staging. You will also be introduced to key theories in the fields of film and visual studies in the wider context of cultural studies. You will develop your research skills and methodologies in the field of visual cultures and the moving image. This may include animation, documentary film, narrative and short film, streaming platforms, television, video and video art. Art- and Film-Writing in Context covers the numerous forms and venues in which people write about art and film. It will equip you with the understanding and skills required to be an effective communicator, able to write in a knowledgeable and medium-appropriate way for a variety of audiences. Examples of optional modules: People and Cultures Introduction to Middle Eastern Cultures Cities in Antiquity Medieval to Modern: An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Medieval to the Post Medieval World Lives of Objects – Greek and Roman Antiquity Introduction to Chinese Culture Year 2 Core modules: Digital Skills for Visual Culture Research develops your appreciation of the relationship between technology and different modes of aesthetic experience. You will explore digital technology and the digital revolution, reflecting on both the ‘therapeutic’ and ‘toxic’ dimensions. Alongside the technical skills for deploying digital methods you will consider the need for responsibility in the uses of technology. Introduction to Museums and Curating gives you a holistic understanding of the multi-faceted nature of museum/gallery collecting and curating. You will be introduced to a range of exhibition types and contexts and associated educational and public engagement programming. This will equip you with the conceptual and practical tools to plan a coherent and viable professional exhibition. The Art of the Moving Image (2): Theories and Contexts explores the moving image in a range of formats, genres, histories, media, national contexts and styles. You will develop your ability to analyse and critique the art of the moving image. You will also investigate how the evolution of the moving image has intersected with political, social and cultural developments across the globe. Examples of optional modules: Objects of Desire: Making Sense of the Collections at the Oriental Museum Thinking Through Art Objects Middle Eastern Cinema Violence in German Literature, Film and Visual Art The Body and the Extremity of the Senses: Through Japanese Literature, Performance and Media Arts Introduction to Anime: Aesthetic, Technology, Seriality Renaissance and Baroque in Image and Word Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad) Core module: Your 12,000-word Dissertation will cultivate your independent, research-led learning and in-depth knowledge by researching and writing about a particular area of interest, for which the department can offer research supervision. It will also enhance your employability by allowing you to demonstrate your independence and your project-management experience of planning, documenting and writing an extended piece of work. Examples of optional modules: Photography and Modernity Between the Wars Performance and Topography The Spanish Imaginary
Assessment method
Modules are varied in their assessment methods, and include essays, commentaries, portfolios, fieldwork reviews, projects, film production, examinations and a dissertation.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you’re eligible to apply.
EU
Wales
England
International
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
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:
- VA01
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus code:
- O
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher - AAABB
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - Not accepted
Extended Project - Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, M2
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD
T Level
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £25500 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £25500 | Year 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
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE