BA (Hons) Fine Art and History of Art · OBUBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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Oxford Brookes University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fine Art and History of Art Bachelor's degree at Oxford Brookes University

BA (Hons) Fine Art and History of Art at OBU combines practical studio work with theoretical study, covering areas such as core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Oxford Campus
Location

About this course

Fine Art and History of Art BA (Hons) at Oxford Brookes University combines the two disciplines, making it possible to explore artefacts and the making of art from a wide range of perspectives. The programme's modules fall broadly into three types: practical, historical, and employment-oriented. From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Fine Art and History of Art is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at OBU, based in Oxford Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For Historical, philosophical and religious studies graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £29,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for History, see the sections below.

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 7 modules
  • Global Art in OxfordCompulsory
    Module details

    In this module, you'll gain the core skills you need to succeed in your Art History degree. You'll develop visual analysis skills, as you look at special art collections in Oxford and the Oxford area. You'll consider: the training and status of artists in society the conditions they worked in The uses of art The market for art The materials and techniques used in art. You'll also investigate how people received art in different times and places. You'll consider both western and non-western art.

  • Museums and SocietyCompulsory
    Module details

    How and why do we present works of art to the public? In this module, you'll explore the role of museums, art galleries and exhibitions in shaping how people produced, displayed and received works of art from the mid eighteenth century to today. You'll understand how museums and galleries create contact between artworks and the public who view them. You'll consider how these spaces are affected by historical factors. And you'll come to see them as much more than neutral containers for artworks.

  • Practice 1: Experimental Projects (combined)Compulsory
    Module details

    Welcome to the world of experimental art practice! In this module, we're going to dive into the basics and open the door to creative exploration using a wide array of materials and processes. The key here is to let your creativity flow without overthinking or trying to control the final result. It's all about spontaneity, intuition, and capturing the moment of creation. Your aim is to break free from your past creative experiences and embrace a wider artistic realm without any preconceptions. We

  • Real Art World 1: Introduction to Creative CareersCompulsory
    Module details

    This is your first step in an exciting journey within this degree course. RAW is just one of a few professional modules that will accompany you throughout your degree. We'll help connect you to the creative industry in a way that mirrors real-world practices for artists and professionals like you. We believe in empowering you to choose and participate in your creative projects, aligning them with your unique career aspirations. As you embark on this journey, we'll encourage you to reflect on you

  • Art and the EnvironmentOptional
    Module details

    You'll gain understanding of the intersections and interactions between art and the environment. You will investigate examples from across the centuries and around the globe. You will become adept and familiar with approaches to representing the environment. The use of the natural world as material for artistic expression. And the role of art and architecture in improving and promoting environmental care. You will develop a critical appreciation of the art as an aspect of politico-social change.

  • Modern British ArtOptional
    Module details

    In this module, you'll dive into art and artists through the century. You'll explore the Camden Town Group of painters. You'll examine the abstract sculptures of Barbara Hepworth. And you'll analyse the collages of Pop artists like Peter Blake. You'll scrutinise paintings, sculptures and films. You'll discuss how British artists tried to create modern forms of expression. And you'll investigate the ways they promoted their work, like: exhibitions manifestos books little magazines. You'll partici

  • Practice 2: The Gallery and BeyondOptional
    Module details

    You'll explore artistic practices that go beyond the traditional white cube gallery spaces. You'll discover how to take your ideas to the next level by considering the site, context, and audience as integral parts of your work. This module will empower you to see your artwork in a new light – as a dynamic element that interacts with its surroundings. You'll learn how your work can engage in a meaningful dialogue with its location, rather than standing independently. We'll also dive into the conc

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This degree combines Fine Art practice with the study of Art History, allowing you to explore artefacts and artistic creation from multiple perspectives. A course like this typically progresses from foundational study in historical analysis and broad surveys of periods and places, moving through years two and three towards more focused, document-led study of specialist themes. You'll usually encounter three types of module: practical work in Fine Art, historical analysis of artistic and cultural traditions, and employment-oriented study. Specialisations available such as Modern history, Medieval studies, Global & imperial perspectives, Social & cultural history, Public history & heritage, and Archival research enable you to shape your studies. The final stage typically culminates in a dissertation: an original research project drawing on primary evidence and independent enquiry.

Who it's for

This course suits students seeking to develop both creative practice and critical understanding of art history. Part-time study allows you to balance academic work with other commitments. You'll need to be self-directed, as the independent project component requires sustained research and reflection. The blend of hands-on studio practice and historical analysis appeals to those interested in understanding art within its cultural and intellectual contexts.

Careers & job market

Across History courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £23,500–£31,000 at 15 months; after three years, £20,400–£28,800; and after five years, £25,500–£36,000. These figures reflect the broader graduate population and vary by individual circumstances and career path.

University & format

This BA (Hons) is offered part-time at Oxford Brookes University, a public university in Oxford founded in 1865. The course is taught in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, Oxford Brookes' degrees are nationally recognised. The university holds Bronze status for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and is.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

Contextual offersPublished by this provider

What is a contextual offer? Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.

PlacementPublished placement option

Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysAttend an open day or webinar

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

Entry & how to get in

Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check OBU's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS codeWV13quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code WV13). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask OBU whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£17,250 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at OBU →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All OBU funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What History graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£29,000£23,000 – £38,500315
3 years after£22,500£9,000 – £34,50025
5 years after£31,000£17,500 – £40,00025

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 315. Cohort 2021-22.

  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in history · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs History nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£29,000
£23,500 – £31,000
After 3 years LEO
£22,500
£20,400 – £28,800
After 5 years LEO
£31,000
£25,500 – £36,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,000 – £37,500

National figures for History graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with History courses at the same study level.

This course £31,000Peer median £30,000Middle 50% £27,000–£34,500
57th percentile

Compared with 1,423 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

Job market & outlook

How History graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across History courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where History graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Museums & archives
  • Heritage bodies
  • Schools
  • Civil service & media

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £29,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Oxford Brookes University

All students26,095
International11.3%
Aged 25+50.1%

Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK

Students76,495
Aged 25+26.6%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Oxford Campus

900 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 317Shoplifting 102Anti Social Behaviour 85Other Theft 74Public Order 67

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is History right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to OBU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,250 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check OBU’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with OBU and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by OBU. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Historical, philosophical and religious studies graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £29,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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