BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

One or a combination of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications:

• Three A Levels at grade B or above (two of which are in essay-based humanities subjects such as History, History of Art, English Literature, Philosophy, Government and Politics, Classical Studies)
• Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4) and two A Levels at grade C or above (one of which is in an essay-based humanities subject such as History, History of Art, English Literature, Philosophy, Government and Politics, Classical Studies)
• Equivalent EU/international qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma

And five GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C).

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional reference.

Or a combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Please note that these qualifications alone will not be sufficient to secure entry to the course.

English language requirements

IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 for writing component and 5.5 in the remaining three components, or equivalent (please check our main English language requirements webpage).

We select applicants who can demonstrate current ability and potential to:

Work imaginatively and creatively with the written word and visual presentation:

• Engage with experimentation and invention
• Show imagination and ambition in proposals for your work
• Take informed risks.

Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities:

• Through examples of written work, demonstrate a range of approaches to writing, originated from personal experience or textural and visual research and progressed through logical stages to a finished outcome
• Demonstrate an awareness of planning and time management skills.

Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within your work:

• Demonstrate relevant research skills
• Evidence ability to critically reflect and evaluate your achievements.

Demonstrate cultural and historical awareness and/or contextual framework of their work:

• Evidence an interest in contemporary culture
• Identify social, historical and/or cultural influences on your work.

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly:

• Discuss your work in individual and group situations
• Present your work, concepts and ideas appropriately and effectively.

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course:

• Show willingness to collaborate
• Show initiative
• Reflect your knowledge of this course.

What we are looking for

We look for students:

• Who are passionate about the arts, from fine art, fashion, theatre and performance to graphics, design, architecture and film. 
• Who may have studied GCSEs and A levels that included the History of Art, English Literature, History, Classical Civilisation as well as practice-based subjects and are thinking of taking degrees in History of Art, Design and Architecture, Film Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, History, English Literature, American Studies.
• Who are on a foundation courses but decide not to pursue a practical art or design degree yet want to stay at a college offering art and design study.

What happens next

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course.  If you meet the entry requirements you will be invited to submit a written piece of work:

Written assessment

The subject for your written assessment is:

• A piece of critical or creative writing. It can be a previously submitted essay or you can produce something new. It can be an academic essay, an arts or music-based article or review, or be a response to a current social issue or topic. We suggest it be 400-500 words in length; it can include images and illustrations.

Following a review on your written work, you may be invited for a group interview.

Interview

Following the review of assessed work we select a small number of applicants to a group interview.  Group interviews will be held online.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.

BA Culture, Criticism and Curation develops your knowledge and skills to give you a wide choice of further education and career paths. You can go on to work in arts and heritage management and administration; in museums, collections and archives; as researchers within academic, commercial and not-for-profit organisations; in television, radio and new media; in theatre and cinema; and in teaching and arts entrepreneurship, in London and beyond.

You might also want to pursue postgraduate study. Many BA Culture, Criticism and Curation students have taken MA courses in a range of fields, including curating contemporary art and design, art history, the theatre in London, business and the arts, cultural theory, and historicism.

BA Culture, Criticism and Curation alumni activity demonstrates the breadth of career paths undertaken by graduates of the course. We have previous graduates working with Bristol City Council, an architectural practice in Hatton Garden, an online fashion business and the British Library. Graduates have also gone on to study on MA programmes at Central Saint Martins as well as The Courtauld Institute of Art, Goldsmith’s and University College London.