Combining still and moving images, advanced academic study and practical skills development, the BA in Visual Arts and Film at Durham is a programme 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, with an emphasis not only on Western art, film, and visual culture, but that of the Middle East, Russophone Eurasia, and East Asia. The very conceptions of the visual and the image students will explore in the programme are fundamentally shaped by this transnational perspective. With this transnational scope in mind, the programme offers extensive language-learning opportunities, while within Durham it draws on the outstanding collections of the University’s 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 vast world of visual art and film.
**Course Structure**
The course is structured so that you:
- acquire an appropriate breadth of knowledge of visual arts and film, considering historical and geographical range as well as the multifarious theoretical and critical approaches appropriate to the analysis of visual artefacts
- develop specialist knowledge of film history and theory
- pursue a programme of skills development in a) public-facing applications of visual culture research, and b) digital research methods.
At the same time, it provides numerous opportunities for you to pursue their own interests, which may involve developing linguistic competence, or expanding the geographical of historical range of their subject knowledge.
**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.
Course Details - Modules
You will study three core modules that lay a broad foundation for the study of visual arts and film, and two optional modules from within or beyond the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. This may include a language.
Please note that the list of optional modules available in any year will vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 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:
VA01
Institution code:
D86
Campus Name:
St Aidan's College
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) in Higher Level subjects
Specific subjects excluded for entry:
General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Information:
Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent).
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
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.
