- UCAS course code
- VT41
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Duration
- 4 years
- Typical A-level offer
-
ABB. This programme is designed for students whose level of Mandarin Chinese at entry ranges from complete beginner to approximately A Level Standard. It is not suitable for students whose first language is Chinese.
- Typical contextual A-level offer
-
BBB.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Refugee/care-experienced offer
-
Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- VT41
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- Gain an in-depth understanding of Art History by applying the cultural knowledge of Chinese Studies.
- Demonstrate intellectual and practical skills through an interdisciplinary course.
- Gain advanced linguistic skills in Mandarin Chinese and explore the culture, history and politics of Chinese-speaking countries.
- Study at one of the top ten universities in the UK for History of Art (Complete University Guide 2024).
Open days
We are pleased to announce that we are returning to hosting on-campus open days in the summer and autumn.
Please see open days for the dates, registration, and other information.
If you're a prospective student, you can also find out more about student life by chatting with our student ambassadors at a time that suits you, and ask any questions you may have about life at Manchester.
Please check our Coronavirus FAQs for the most up to date information regarding events.
You can also look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £25,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Scholarships and bursaries are available to eligible Home/EU students, including the Manchester Bursary . This is in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.
- Find out more from Student Finance
- International student? Check your country page
- Interested in a student internship?
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- ug.languages@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/art-history/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
Grades ABB.
Contextual offer
BBB for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.
AS-level
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
International Baccalaureate
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers. In addition, one Scottish Advanced Higher is normally required at Grade B. Where a pre-requisite subject is required at A-level, then this Advanced Higher should be in that subject.
English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Welsh Baccalaureate
The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
European Baccalaureate
We normally require: 77% to include a minimum of 8.0 in at least one essay-based subject.
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.
Please read this in conjunction with our A-level requirements, noting any pre-requisite subjects.
For all other foundation programmes please see this list of approved UK foundation programmes .
Pearson BTEC qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, Merit, in a humanities-related subject such as English, History or Politics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade B in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade B in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades BB (one of these A-levels should be in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics).
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new BTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC): we do not consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry to this course.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Merit, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics .
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level/A Level at min. Grade B an essay-based subject such as English or History, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC) : we consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades BB in an essay-based subject such as English or History.
The University of Manchester will consider applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Access to HE Diploma
The specific course requirements are a minimum of 30 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 15 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.
Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.
Cambridge Pre-U
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.
Candidates taking three Pre-U principal subjects are expected to achieve a combination of D3, M2, M2.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
The University recognises the value of Level 3 Core Mathematics qualifications. Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer we make. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider a student's application, particularly for courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element that does not require A Level Mathematics. Academic Schools may also choose to take a student's performance in Core Mathematics into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.
Where a course requires applicants to have at least grade 6/B or higher in GCSE Mathematics we would be likely to consider a pass in Core Mathematics at a minimum grade C or B as an alternative way to fulfil this requirement. Where an A Level in Mathematics is required then Core Mathematics will not be accepted in lieu of an A Level.
A Level and GCSE Mathematics requirements for our courses vary according to subject so we advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether a student's portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4 or;
- IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or;
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.
Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Course details
Course description
Art History is known for its strong interdisciplinary character. Students explore subjects, objects and texts from different cultures and different historical periods. Students benefit from our strengths in Renaissance Studies, Romanticism, modern and contemporary art, as well the intersections of art and science.
Teaching takes place in a variety of formats, and many course units benefit from unrivalled access to The John Rylands Library and The Whitworth, which contain world-famous works by Bacon, Blake, Gauguin, Munch, Picasso, Rembrandt, Turner, Van Gogh and other major artists. Teaching is supported by cutting-edge research: REF (2014) placed us in the top three Art History Departments in the UK.
On the Chinese side of the degree, students will study compulsory language units (the number of credits will depend on whether students are ab-initio or post-A-Level and whether they are studying European or non-European languages) and the study of the culture and history of a specific region.
Teaching within Chinese in these latter areas is characterised particularly by the historically and politically contextualised study of culture and cultural practices, including in literature, visual culture and music, with thematic focus on such issues as the environment, popular culture, gender, immigration and transnationalisms, and religion. Crucial here is the understanding of language skills being informed by intercultural awareness and cultural knowledge being mediated by linguistic skills.
In the first, second and final year students will follow core compulsory and optional introductory modules on both sides of the degree. In their final year students will also have the option of taking a dissertation on either side of the degree alongside their core language units and other optional units. Students will be allocated a dissertation supervisor according to existing procedures for the respective subject areas. Students will also be able to take one free-choice unit at levels 2 and 3, though they will not be required to do so.
In the third year of the degree students will undertake a period of residence abroad according to the School's requirements and provision.
The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree.
Special features
Your year abroad will offer the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of life in a Chinese-speaking country, and further develop your language skills.
Societies
Join our student society, the Manchester Art Group, which curates events, talks, exhibitions and trips, and aims to link up with contemporary art practice in Manchester and across the North West. You could also join Arts Emergency, which aims to encourage the production of a new generation of thinkers by highlighting the reversal of decades of social and educational access to arts and humanities, or the Whitworth Young Contemporaries Student Society , which brings together students who have an interest in the arts, culture and creativity to make the Whitworth part of students' academic, cultural and social life.
Teaching and learning
Teaching takes place in a variety of formats, including lectures, small seminar groups, workshops, gallery visits, and one-to-one tutorials. Our aim throughout is to support your interests and to help you to improve your skills and become confident independent learners.
Seminars are normally very interactive they are an opportunity for you to discuss readings and ideas in a supportive environment and to build your skills and confidence. Some course units feature group projects culminating in online content development or a physical exhibition/display.
Your learning will be supported by material on our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, including access to core texts and recorded lectures.
Where possible our courses include fieldwork visits to galleries or special exhibitions throughout the UK. This means regular classes in Manchester at places like HOME, the City Art Gallery and the University's own Whitworth Art Gallery.
We offer several travel bursaries through the Lady Chorley Fund to assist final-year students with their dissertation research.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- coursework essays;
- research reports;
- practical tests;
- learning logs;
- web contributions;
- seminar presentations and participation.
Many course units are assessed through a mixture of techniques.
In your final year, you can write a dissertation.
Written feedback is provided in the form of essay and exam cover sheets and, in the case of orally delivered seminar papers, a verbal report from the tutor. We provide feedback on both the content of your writing and the construction and clarity of the argument posed.
As a student here you'll gain both academic writing skills and insight into the development of arts-specific composition, such as catalogue entries, gallery interpretation, exhibition reviews and journalistic articles.
Course tutors are available without appointment in their office hours twice a week outside scheduled teaching hours, allowing you to gain advice and feedback on your work.
Course content for year 1
Art History
This is a foundation year that introduces key art historical concepts and methods of analysis and interpretation as well as skills in academic writing.
It includes a substantial amount of gallery-based teaching.
Chinese
All Year 1 students take the core module `Introduction to Chinese Studies', plus study up to 7 hours a week of `ab initio' Chinese language through dedicated classes aiming to build your linguistic confidence.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Age to Baroque: Artworks in History | SALC10041 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Rococo to Now: Artworks in History | SALC10042 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Art Spaces | AHCP10051 | 20 | Optional |
| Art History Tutorial 1 | AHCP10381 | 20 | Optional |
| Visual Cultures in China and East Asia | CHIN12522 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 1 | CHIN51011 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 2 | CHIN51022 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 3 | CHIN51031 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 4 | CHIN51042 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 5 | CHIN51050 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
In Year 2 you can weigh you credits differently and do a maximum of two-thirds in one subject, and one-third in the other.
Art History
Take a mix of core and optional course units.
The objective is to provide you with a deeper understanding of theories and approaches in the study of art history, and a broad-based knowledge of both pre-modern and modern art, architecture and visual culture.
Chinese
In addition to continuing your study in Chinese language, you will develop your knowledge of China via a choice of courses in areas across the Humanities faculty such as literature, film, history, religion, society, culture, economics, anthropology and business, as well as begin to prepare for residence abroad.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art in Theory | AHCP20432 | 20 | Mandatory |
| European Art History Fieldtrip | AHCP20701 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Art in Britain | AHCP20221 | 20 | Optional |
| Art in South Asia | AHCP20802 | 20 | Optional |
| The Neo-Avant-Garde and the Crisis of Medium, 1945-1974 | AHCP22812 | 20 | Optional |
| Digital Ways of Seeing: Theory and Practice | AHCP24232 | 20 | Optional |
| Gender and Power in Chinese Culture | CHIN20071 | 20 | Optional |
| Introduction to Classical Chinese | CHIN28572 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 3 | CHIN51031 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Language 4 | CHIN51042 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Your third year of study is spent abroad in China or Taiwan under approved conditions.
For more information on the period of residence abroad please consult Residence Abroad .
Course content for year 4
In Year 4 you can balance your credits to do a maximum of two-thirds in one subject area, and one-third in the other.
Art History
Take seminar courses that allow you in-depth contact with a wide range of subjects (many of which are the specialist areas of the members of teaching staff).
These `Option' courses are focused on an area of study defined by genre, artistic identity, medium or approach.
They are taught in small groups and encourage participation and active learning.
Chinese
The language teaching programme continues to develop skills such as reading and writing Chinese and includes work on interpreting and on translation as practical skills.
Cultural options include Chinese Politics, Pop Culture and Print Media today.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| History of Art Dissertation | AHCP30000 | 40 | Optional |
| The English Baroque: Architecture and Society 1660-1730 | AHCP30012 | 20 | Optional |
| We Will Be: Black British Art in the 1980s | AHCP30021 | 20 | Optional |
| Victorian Bodies: Art, Science, and Modernity 1848 - 1901 | AHCP30032 | 20 | Optional |
| The Art of Clothing in Renaissance Italy | AHCP30041 | 20 | Optional |
| Art After Modernism: Approaching Contemporary Art | AHCP30561 | 20 | Optional |
| Picasso | AHCP33131 | 20 | Optional |
| The Art of Medieval Manuscripts | AHCP33612 | 20 | Optional |
| Socialism in China | CHIN32012 | 20 | Optional |
| Mass Media in Modern China | CHIN35221 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
The rich cultural heritage and attractions of Manchester and the North-West are within easy reach.
The Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery offer unique access to the environment of the working museum and art gallery, as well as to important works of art.
The Whitworth is a major resource, and its outstanding collections of paintings, prints, textiles and wallpapers are used extensively in our teaching.
You can also explore original art in the city's famous galleries, such as the Lowry, Manchester Art Gallery and the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art.
The main library provision is the University Library, one of the UK's top university libraries with arguably the best access to electronic resources of any library in Europe. This is one of the largest academic libraries in Britain and houses a Special Collections Department (the John Rylands Library) on Deansgate which contains an internationally important and diverse collection of manuscripts, illustrated books and other material relevant to Art History.
Art History students also enjoy a discipline-specific library in the same building as our department providing a pleasant and quiet working environment for students.
Learn more on the Facilities page.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
This joint honours programme equips you with intellectual and practical skills applicable to many spheres of employment.
We live in an image-saturated world where understanding the power of images and having the skills to interpret and analyse them can lead to a satisfying career in a variety of industries.
Studying Art History at Manchester will provide you with the chance to gain practical experience, and students are able to gain placements across Manchester, including at the Whitworth, the University's art gallery, and further afield.
Our surveys of recent graduates have revealed that our students also pursue a variety of careers in such fields as law, banking, fashion, advertising, accountancy, business management, commerce, new media, computing and archive studies.
Recent graduate career destinations include:
- Education Officer, De Morgan Collection;
- Royal Collections Exhibitions Curator;
- Archivist, Tate Liverpool;
- Art Officer, English Heritage
The creative economy accounts for 1 in 11 jobs across the UIK and employs 700,000 more people than the financial services industry (Creative Industries Federation).
The University of Manchester is the most targeted university in the UK for top graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2019).
Our award-winning careers service provides a wealth of tools, advice, development opportunities and industry links. You'll have access to dedicated, subject-specific support throughout your studies and for up to two years after graduation.
Our undergraduate courses are also designed to provide an easy transition into postgraduate study, if desired. We offer a wide range of specialist master's courses within the University and fast-tracked enrolment to high-achieving undergraduate students.
You can also take part in the University's Stellify programme alongside your degree, developing professional and leadership skills while contributing to local and global communities through volunteering.