Art History and Visual Studies University of Victoria

Overview

The Art History and Visual Studies programme at the University of Victoria offers an immersive exploration into how images and objects shape human societies across different eras and cultures. Students engage with a curriculum that balances historical foundations with contemporary visual communication, ensuring a well-rounded academic experience.

Why Art History and Visual Studies at University of Victoria?

The university provides an exceptional environment for artistic research, featuring dedicated facilities like the SIM Lab and the Interactive Media Lab. Students benefit from direct access to the Legacy Art Gallery, which houses over 18,000 objects, and the DIDO image database containing 68,000 digital records. The department fosters a close-knit community through the Art History and Visual Studies Student Association and the Emerging Exchanges research conference.

Practical experience is a cornerstone of the department's approach. Through the Co-operative Education programme, students can undertake paid, career-related placements that count towards their degree. This hands-on focus extends to the classroom, where learners work with original manuscripts, museum objects, and archaeological materials from the university's extensive special collections.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 35448 per year
• National fee: CAD 6414 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum allows students to customise their studies by focusing on specific regions or themes, such as Islam and Asia or the Arts of the Americas. Modules may include:

• Art, Images, Experience
• Western Architecture
• Japanese Art and Architecture
• History of Video Games
• Gender, Identity and Film
• Museum Studies
• Art Forgery
• Visual Communication

Careers with Art History and Visual Studies

Graduates are equipped with transferable skills in research, writing, and visual analysis that are highly valued in the cultural and creative sectors. Many alumni pursue successful careers in heritage management, media, and education.

The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical co-op experience ensures that students are well-prepared for the competitive global job market, with many receiving employment offers before graduation.