Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture (Okanagan) at University of British Columbia

Programme overview

Art History involves the study and analysis of complex visual artifacts – including conventional fine arts and popular visual cultures, such as film and media – against a background of histories, ideologies, theories, and values. As an Art History and Visual Culture student, you’ll have access to courses in the visual art traditions of many cultures, with particular focus on theoretical and critical discourses concerning the social impact of art and visual representation.

Faculty: Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies | Duration: 4 years | Study mode: full-time; co-op optional | Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Career pathways

In the Art History and Visual Culture program, you’ll learn how to analyze and interpret form, technique, iconography, and the historical function of art. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be well positioned to thrive in a variety of environments, including museums, galleries, historical societies, and provincial and federal arts organizations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Basic UBC admission requirements apply. Degree-specific requirements: Arts No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Undergraduate applications are for Winter Session (September 2027 to April 2028) or Summer Session (May to August 2027).

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD): May 2027 intake.

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD): September 2027 intake.

Online application for 2027 entry opens in early October 2026. Deadline to apply for Winter Session (September 2027 to April 2028) is January 15, 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST; the same deadline applies to Summer Session (May to August 2027) except for visiting, unclassified and Access Studies students.

International applicants who want to be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program must apply and submit an award application by November 15, 2026; Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking Presidential Scholars, Centennial Scholars Entrance or Beyond Tomorrow Scholars awards must apply by December 1, 2026.

Undergraduate application processing fee for 2027S and 2027W: $78.50 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; $173.25 for applicants studying on a study permit presenting transcripts from institutions within or outside BC. Some programmes charge additional supplemental application fees (for example Education $80.00 / $120.75, Law $106.25, Nursing $144.50, Computer Science $104.00). Applications are made through the UBC online application (myapplication.ubc.ca).

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD), May 2027 intake: applications open 16 October 2026; application deadline for Canadian applicants 8 January 2027; application deadline for international applicants 16 October 2026.

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD), September 2027 intake: applications open 10 July 2026; application deadline for Canadian applicants 16 October 2026; application deadline for international applicants 10 July 2026.

Graduate application fee for 2027W and 2028S: $120.75 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; $168.25 for students on a study permit; $166.50 for master's-level business programmes (IMBA, MBAN, EMBA, MBA, PMBA, MM). The fee is non-refundable and required for each programme and intake.

Apply through the official page: https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/how-to-apply/

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