Art History and Visual Studies
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Why choose Art History & Visual Studies at UVic?
Discover the rich visual traditions of world cultures while building practical, transferable skills for today’s careers. In Art History and Visual Studies at UVic, you’ll learn how images shape societies — past and present — and how to analyze, interpret and communicate visual meaning across cultures and media.
You’ll explore the history of artistic materials and techniques while studying topics that connect directly to contemporary life, including museum studies, art forgery, video games, horror films and visual communication. With access to real collections, interactive labs and a close-knit academic community, you’ll graduate with strong research, writing, critical thinking and visual analysis skills valued across many fields.
Customize your degree
Shape your studies around your interests and career goals. You can focus on specific regions, time periods or themes, or combine multiple areas to build a degree that reflects how you see the world. Choose from these optional areas of focus:
- Europe and Mediterranean before the Modern Period
- Islam and Asia
- Arts of the Americas and Modern and Contemporary Art and Architecture
Hands-on learning
At UVic, art history is not just studied — it’s experienced. You’ll work directly with original materials, digital collections and specialized equipment, gaining practical experience that strengthens your academic and professional profile.
Art collections
Work hands-on with museum objects, manuscripts and archaeological materials through access to:
- Art Collections
- Classroom Legacy Art Gallery (18,000+ objects)
- Legacy Maltwood Gallery
- Special Collections, UVic Library
- Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
- DIDO image database (68,000+ images)
Co-operative Education (Co-op)
- Through UVic’s Co-op program, you’ll apply what you learn in paid, career-related positions that count toward your degree—and give you a head start after graduation.
- Co-op is available to everyone, including international students with co-op work permits.
- On average, 70 percent of UVic Co-op students graduate with a job offer already in hand.
- Unlike at some universities, at UVic, you don’t have to compete for a spot in Co-op.
SIM Lab
The SIM Lab supports your creative and analytical work with full Mac suites across two computer labs, a large-format printer and program-specific studios. You can also borrow professional equipment, including cameras, lighting and grip gear, audio recording tools and more — making it easier to complete projects without extra costs.Interactive Media Lab
Explore visual culture through new and emerging media in the Fine Arts Interactive Media Lab. Study video games, virtual reality and digital environments using an eclectic collection that includes:
- Nintendo (NES)
- Classic Super Nintendo (SNES)
- Classic PlayStation 3 (PS3)
- PlayStation 4 (PS4)
- PlayStation VR (PSVR)
- Xbox 360 Steam (Desktop PC)
This lab supports research into games, digital storytelling and interactive media — expanding how art history connects to contemporary industries and technologies.
Student life & community
You’ll be part of a welcoming, supportive academic community where students know each other and work closely with faculty.
Art History and Visual Studies Student Association
This student-run group hosts conferences, film nights, research talks and social events. It’s an easy way to make friends, build confidence and feel connected within the department.
Emerging Exchanges
Present your research at this student conference and gain experience sharing your ideas in an academic setting — a valuable skill for graduate studies and professional work alike.
Visit museums and galleries
As an AHVS student, you receive discounts on memberships with local institutions such as the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, helping you stay connected to the region’s vibrant arts community.
Inspiring courses
- First Year Seminar on Art, Images, Experience
- Introduction to Western Architecture
- Japanese Art and Architecture
- History of Video Games
- Gender, Identity and Film
Career possibilities
- Archivist
- Art appraiser
- Art director or graphic designer
- Art marketer
- Arts and culture coordinator
- Communications officer
- Conservator
- Curator
- Exhibit designer
- Gallery administrator
- Heritage consultant
- Interpretive assistant
- Marketing coordinator
- Museum educator
- Specialist librarian
Career outcomes
All UVic co-op students
- 70% of co-op students graduated with a job offer in hand
- 42% of eligible students took part in co-op
- 16% of these students found their post-graduation position because of their co-op experience
All UVic grads
- 48% of graduating students received a job offer before graduation
- 83% found career-related positions in their chosen field
- 48% received a salary of more than $50,000 a year
- 52% found work in Greater Victoria
Admission
Apply directly to this program as a high school student or a transfer student from another post-secondary institution.
Alternatively, you can choose another major and add this program as a minor to broaden your studies.
Program details
Providing you accurate application deadlines, tuition fee estimates, admission requirements, scholarships and transfer credit depends on your situation.
Program details
Application deadline
Admission requirements
Recommended admission average
Expanded qualifications
English language proficiency
Transfer credit
Tuition & fees
Tuition rates effective May 1, 2025 (please note some ancillary fees are subject to change for Fall 2025).
This is an estimate only and should be used to give students, parents, and/or sponsors an approximation of the tuition and ancillary fees. This estimate does not include housing, food, cost of books and supplies or other expenses that students can expect in a term.
Scholarships
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We'll walk you through all of the steps in the process, from submitting your online application to accepting your offer of admission.
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