Art History and Visual Culture

You’ll be taken on a fascinating creative journey, beginning in the first year with an exploration of photography, media and communications, and world cultural history. Rooted in the American liberal arts tradition, at Richmond you’ll experience a broad range of subjects, from Scientific Reasoning to Visual Thinking, all of which will hone your critical thinking.

The second year will focus on how art changes across cultures, and its impact on our economy, health and wellbeing, society and education, setting the visual arts in their wider cultural and political contexts.

Our introduction to visual culture will enable you to explore everything from the history and theory of painting and sculpture to print, photography, film, advertising, and fashion, developing your communication and research skills.

London becomes the second classroom in year three, as you’ll explore a variety of arts and visual cultures, from pre-history to the present, in the world- leading museums and art galleries which are on the doorstep. Field trips to art centres in the UK and abroad will extend your perspective.

Themes in Contemporary US Art, Cultural Theory, History of Design and Working in the Art World are all core topics in the second half of this programme.

Take your pick from some exciting electives which include Studio Photography, International Cinema and the Psychology of Fashion and Luxury Goods.

We’re proud to offer a strong element of professional practice in this programme, through our teaching approach and our emphasis on the importance of gaining practical experience. The course Working in the Art World explores the creative and cultural industries in London and an internship is offered within a leading arts or creative organisation, to improve your employability after graduation.

As with all of our programmes at Richmond, you’ll be able to study one programme and gain two degrees, one from the UK and one from the US.