BA (Honours) in Art History and History - Including Foundation Year in Colchester United Kingdom | University of Essex

Our four-year BA in Art History and History (including a foundation year) is ideal if you don't currently meet the entry requirements for the standard three-year program. This pathway helps build both subject knowledge and academic skills to prepare you for higher education. We also offer a five-year option that includes a year of international study during your fourth year.

The program begins with a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by three or four additional years depending on whether you opt for studying abroad. In Year Zero, you'll take three subject-specific modules alongside a core academic skills course, with English language support available for non-native speakers.

From day one, you'll be part of Essex University's vibrant global community, studying at the UK's most internationally diverse campus.

After successfully completing Year Zero through our Essex Pathways Department, you'll continue your studies with the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies.

This unique program explores the connections and contrasts between historical studies and visual arts, examining how these disciplines intersect. We challenge conventional views that treat artworks merely as historical records, encouraging deeper critical analysis.

You'll develop skills to interpret how historical concepts and ideologies are visually represented, while questioning traditional notions of evidence and documentation. By studying history and art history together, you'll gain critical insights into their relationship. This approach equips you with valuable skills for today's visually-driven society, where images play a central role in communication.