Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture Study Group - Royal Holloway,University of London, UK

Choosing this course enables you to combine the study of Comparative Literature and Culture (75% of the course) with History of Art and Visual Culture (25%).

A degree in Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC) gives you the opportunity to explore the similarities and differences between the literatures and visual arts produced in different languages, places, and historical periods. 

Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture may appeal if you have already enjoyed studying English, Drama, Languages, or History of Art at A Level but wish to develop your understanding of these subjects by taking a more global, comparative perspective. The programme is taught by academics from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures who are experts in European and world literatures and cultures and whose research is multilingual, transnational, and interdisciplinary.

Comparative Literature and Culture takes a cross-cultural perspective that compares materials from the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe from the ancient world to the twenty-first century. You do not need to have studied, or study, a foreign language as all materials are taught in English translation. 

History of Art and Visual Culture enables you to explore a world of visual cultures – from paintings to sculpture, photography to film, fashion and beyond – from the early modern era to the present day. As well as learning the histories of key trends and techniques, you will finesse the skills needed to appreciate, interpret, and analyse images and artefacts in a variety of different media across cultures. 

Alongside the core modules which introduce key critical concepts and develop comparative and visual analytical skills, you can choose from a wide range of fascinating options: you can read, watch, and compare materials from Ancient Greece to contemporary New York, from medieval Arabia to contemporary Korea, from world cinema to crime fiction, and from tragedy to the avant-garde. Far more than a journey around the world through literary and artistic ‘masterpieces’, Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway encourages students to think critically about how and why literatures and visual cultures develop, evolve, and travel. Because of this, you’ll develop the important analytical skills, creative thinking, cross-cultural understanding and global outlook that are valued by employers. 

One of the strengths of Comparative Literature and Culture and History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway is the supportive environment we create. Our student community is close-knit and international, with students coming from a variety backgrounds and parts of the world, enhancing the programme’s global perspective. Throughout your studies you will also be able to get involved with an array of cultural initiatives that take place on campus and make the most of Royal Holloway’s exceptional collection of Victorian Art housed in the Founder’s Picture Gallery, as well as being within easy reach of London and its many events and attractions.

Studying Comparative Literature and Culture with History of Art and Visual Culture will broaden your horizons, interests and passions, and give you a critical edge in a competitive global marketplace.

From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.