Bircham International University

What you'll study

The curriculum is composed of 69 BIU-earned academic credits in Art History plus a minimum of 40 general education credits (transferable). Each listed subject normally carries 3 academic credits. Course topics include:

• 201ARH - Ancient Civilizations
• 202ARH - Art & Philosophy
• 203ARH - Art & Religion
• 204ARH - World History
• 205ARH - Classic Art & Architecture
• 206ARH - Medieval & Byzantine Art
• 207ARH - Gothic Art & The Renaissance
• 208ARH - From Baroque to Romanticism
• 311ARH - Realism & Impressionism
• 312ARH - XXth Century Art
• 313ARH - Chinese & Japanese Art
• 314ARH - Contemporary Art
• 315ARH - Mediterranean, Greeks & Romans
• 316ARH - The Dark & Middle Ages
• 317ARH - The Renaissance & The Baroque
• 318ARH - American History
• 421ARH - The Modern & Industrial Ages
• 422ARH - Revolutions, Wars & Colonialism
• 423ARH - History of the Middle East
• 424ARH - History of the Far East
• 425ARH - Art History
• 426ARH - Comparative Historical Analysis
• 427ARH - Contemporary World History

Additional elective subjects may be selected from other Arts & Humanities modules (e.g., Interior Design, Visual & Graphic Design, Musicology, Sustainability), subject to approval by the Distance Learning University Education Board. The programme is delivered 100% through specified textbooks; students produce reports, projects and a thesis to earn Bircham credits. BIU defines 1 earned credit as equivalent to 1 U.S. semester credit (15 hours of learning) or 2 ECTS credits (30 hours of study).

Entry requirements

Admission is open to adults aged over 23. A minimum of 30% of the programme’s total credits must be transferred from prior education and/or validated professional experience to gain admission; up to 20% of total credits may be credited from professional and life experience. Bircham recognizes credits from other institutions and may validate work experience.

Career prospects

The programme provides broad historical and analytical knowledge of visual arts across cultures and periods; students demonstrate comprehension and applied analysis through written reports and case studies. Graduates may use the degree as a foundation for roles requiring art-historical literacy, research skills and critical interpretation in museums, galleries, education, publishing, cultural organisations or further study—bearing in mind that local professional or academic credential recognition varies and prospective applicants should check employers' and institutions' requirements.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Tuition is credit-based: BIU charges a listed cost per earned undergraduate credit and reduced rates for transferred credits; total programme fees are provided as a minimum and maximum range and include textbooks, study guides, evaluation, diploma and transcript. Payment plans are available on request for up to 36 monthly installments. Bircham also accepts transfer credits and may validate professional experience, which can reduce the number of earned credits required and lower overall cost.