Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and Visual Studies

About this programme

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. 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. Work hands-on with museum objects, manuscripts and archaeological materials through access to: Explore visual culture through new and emerging media in the Fine Arts Interactive Media Lab. This lab supports research into games, digital storytelling and interactive media — expanding how art history connects to contemporary industries and technologies. UVic's Studios for Integrated Media (SIM) offer over 10 different labs, facilities and resources to help Fine Arts students, faculty and staff work creatively in the digital environment. You can also borrow professional equipment, including cameras, lighting and