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Discover the history of art and architecture. Delve into the study of languages and cultures.
Year of entry: 2024/25
VR39
Y50
4 years full-time
ABB (full entry requirements)
September 2024 (semester dates)
Book your place for our Open Days on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June.
Book your placeaccording to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
of institutions included in the National Student Survey 2023 for history of art, architecture and design.
Times 2023
Study cultural heritage, from the history of art and architecture to languages and cultures. Spend a year abroad and discover new ways of viewing the world.
At York, you'll gain an exciting and fresh perspective on the history of human expression through studying art and languages, graduating with skills highly prized by employers across a wide range of industries. You'll explore an extraordinary variety of art and architecture, covering a wide range of time periods and cultures - from medieval Jerusalem to contemporary digital culture. By studying a language alongside History of Art, you'll have a deeper understanding of art collections around the globe, particularly those in native languages and relating to specific cultures.
We have a unique approach to studying languages at York. From the start, you'll be taught and assessed in your language of study by expert staff, many of whom are native-speakers, so you'll develop your fluency and communication skills rapidly. Our transcultural and decolonised approach to language learning allows for deeper reflection on the values, attitudes, and practices of different cultures.
Spending a year abroad will give you confidence in your speaking, and allow you to have valuable first-hand experiences of transcultural encounters.
As part of this degree, you can choose to study one of four languages.
You'll benefit from strong industry links throughout your degree.
At York, you'll benefit from being able to take TEFL modules in-house, as part of your degree. You can count the work you complete in your TEFL modules towards a CertTESOL qualification. This teacher training programme (also offered in-house) can qualify you to teach English to non-native speakers, including on your year abroad.
History of Art field trips were the perfect occasion to bond with the places and people around me. I have enjoyed them so much.Alizée, BA Curating and Art History
You'll be taught by expert art historians, many of whom are curators with international reputations. During your degree, you'll study engaging modules from the late antique to the contemporary. You'll also be able to learn a language, enhancing your experience and understanding of art history and benefiting your career.
Studying one of four languages will combine an in-depth study of cultural and social phenomena, including their transnational and diasporic manifestations, with the development of high-level communication skills.
Your year abroad will provide the opportunity to both use the language being studied, and to either study History of Art, or work in a related field.
Study a language from scratch
You can choose to study one of four languages ab initio, meaning you don't need to have any knowledge of the language before you arrive. You'll study with other ab initio students during your first year, and will focus on improving your language skills, before joining the post-A level students during your second year.
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
You'll take two core modules in History of Art, and one core module in Languages.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You will also study three option modules, including at least one Language option. Examples may include:
The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
We assist you in setting up overseas university study, teaching or work placements, and offer guidance on all aspects of the year. You can even get a CertTESOL qualification to teach English to non-native speakers before you go. See our current year abroad pages for more information.
You'll complete two assignments while on your year abroad. These are assessed on a pass/fail basis and do not contribute to your final degree grade.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
You'll study one core language module in your final year, which is designed to consolidate your critical skills through in-depth research and analysis. By this stage in your degree, you'll be able to demonstrate oral and written fluency, as well as accurate language use in different social and cultural contexts.
You will also study three option modules, including at least two History of Art options and one Language option. Examples may include:
The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
At York, we are unique in teaching all of our core language modules in their language of study. Our students develop fluency and confidence quickly, benefiting wholly from this approach.
Observe different transcultural practices and values first-hand, and gain valuable experience speaking in your language of study.
Without a doubt, my favourite thing about studying at York is the incredible memories of my year abroad. The year abroad improved my confidence and speaking skills so much. I wish I could go back every day!Caitlin, BA French and Spanish (with a year abroad)
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £23,700 |
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Many of the modules you can choose from will have associated field trips to allow you to visit art and architecture. Field trips can be local, national or international. We will cover the cost of any major air/sea/rail travel and accommodation, but you will be expected to pay for local transportation, food and entrance costs.
Set Languages texts are available from the Library or online, but you may wish to buy your own copy for some modules. These typically cost between £10 and £30. For ab-initio languages you may need to buy books with a total cost of £50 to £60. Second hand books are often available more cheaply.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.
Find out more about funding specific to Languages and Linguistics.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
The course benefits from art-based societies like the Norman Rea Gallery (the student-run gallery on campus), Art History Society (for art-based trips and socials) and Art Society! This is a great way to develop your interests outside the course and meet people with similar passions.Senah, BA History of Art
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We believe in the importance of studying art and architecture in the original, so many modules include visits to collections, either locally, across the UK or globally. The majority of these trips are funded. Recent destinations include: Rome, Paris, Milan, Florence and Basel. We also visit key cities in the UK; recent destinations have included Cambridge, Canterbury, Edinburgh, Manchester and London.
We offer you extra study support in several ways. Our Peer Assisted Learning programme gives you the opportunity to work with other students.
Our focus at York is on effective communication in your language of study. That is why:
In first and second year of the degree, you will typically spend 1-2 hours per week in the lecturers, 10-11 hours per week in seminars, and 2 hours in workshops.
Contact hours in the final year vary depending on individual module choices.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
We have our own Languages e-Lab for teaching. Here, you'll have access to a variety of resources, including specialist linguistics software and online language-learning materials.
The student-run Norman Rea Gallery gallery hosts exciting exhibitions throughout the year and promotes the work of both student and professional artists.
The University art collection contains a wide variety of works, from ancient to contemporary, across a diverse array of materials, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, prints, book art, photography, and textiles. The collection includes key work by internationally significant artists including Barbara Hepworth and Jacob Epstein, Paul Nash and Sydney Nolan, R B Kitaj and Elizabeth Blackadder. The collection is available for innovative curatorial displays and exhibitions on and beyond campus.
There are also many libraries and galleries nearby.
You will be based in the History of Art and Language and Linguistic Science buildings on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
You'll be assessed in a variety of ways, including essays, projects, written, oral and listening exams. Assessments include formative work which will help you practice or develop skills, but will not count towards your final degree mark.
Instructors provide you with feedback in a variety of forms, for example: written feedback, in-class discussion of common problems, model answers, one-on-one discussion of research projects, or online responses to questions posted on the module discussion board.
Your year abroad is assessed. All students must complete two assessments in their language of study. If you are studying at a university, you must attend courses and sit the exams. If you are on a work or teaching placement, you must satisfactorily complete the duties set out in the placement agreement. However, your marks on the year abroad assessments do not contribute towards your overall degree mark.
We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. However, if you have dyslexia please note that it is not possible to make adjustments in the marking of work written in a closed language exam. This is because accurate spelling is one of the assessment objectives for language exams. Closed exams make up only a proportion of the assessment types used for languages. There are other assessment types such as coursework and oral presentations which are also used. As a student with dyslexia you could apply for extra time in closed exams, if this would be of assistance. See the University's disability support pages for further details.
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| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | ABB You do not need an A level in History of Art or a language |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDM |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, M2, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | 75% |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - ABBBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design | Distinction. We will also consider other qualifications from the University of the Arts London in different specialisms, at Level 3 or higher. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Our language programmes are designed to develop fluency. For this reason we do not normally offer places to native or near-native speakers who wish to study their own language.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| KITE | 459 Main Flight score with 426 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of History of Art, Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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