Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology

  • About the programme
  • Programme structure
  • Entry requirements
  • Tuition fees & scholarships
  • Career prospects

• Programme duration : 3 years
• Delivery language : French
• Degree awarded : Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology
• Accreditation : The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.
• Deadline to apply : 22 August 2025

The Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris and delivered by world-class academics in Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.The programme, taught in French, is a unique three-year degree and provides students with the knowledge and competencies for rewarding careers in art and archaeology. From prehistory to the contemporary era, this degree covers Middle-Eastern, Middle-Western and Asiatic civilisations and retraces the history ofsocio-cultural exchanges and their influence through the ages.

Throughout this programme, students acquire comprehensive knowledge and analytical techniques essential to archaeology and history of art practices. They also study Egyptology, Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Greek and Roman worlds, History of Art in the Middle-East and Asia (Indian, Chinese and Islamic Art) and History of Art of the Western World (Arts from the Middle Ages, modern and contemporary arts).This programme offers a wide historical, technical and artistic overview off undamental disciplines.Students also learn to enhance their critical thinking skills while analysing works of art from different historical periods and various geographical contexts. In addition to the fundamental courses, students can attend courses from other departments (History,Philosophy, Sociology and Literature), participate in workshops on campus and meet professionals,visit museums, art galleries and monuments in the UAE and overseas.

By the end of the programme, students will be able to identify different categories of archaeological or artistic objects, provide various technical,iconographic and stylistic analysis, scientific interpretation and bring out all forms of architectural, archaeological and artistic heritage. Students will have acquired a comprehensive and strong archaeological and artistic knowledge, enabling them to understand stakes and challenges of art and heritage in the contemporary world.

The programme faculty are all internationally renowned professors whose teaching methodology goes beyond the traditional forms of teaching to ensure a balanced and well-rounded learning experience. Personalised tutoring is also available for students to enjoy a more individual learning experience.

The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris.

First Year

  • General methodology
  • Egyptology
  • Ancient Near East
  • Greek Antiquity
  • 19th century Art
  • Extra-european worlds: Americas, Africa, Oceania, Islam
  • Art and Archaeology of countries of Islam

Second Year

  • Speciality Methodology
  • Roman Antiquity
  • Medieval Art (I)
  • Art and Archaeology of countries of Asia (I)
  • 20th and 21st centuries Art (I)
  • Modern Art (I)

Third Year

  • Medieval Art (II)
  • Greek or Roman Antiquity
  • Modern Art (II)
  • Art and Archaeology of countries of Asia (II)
  • 20th and 21st centuries Art (II)
  • Heritage history
  • Middle-east, Arabic Peninsula and Gulf Countries: archaeology, art and heritage (I)
  • Middle-east, Arabic Peninsula and Gulf Countries: archaeology, art and heritage (II)
To be eligible for this Bachelor’s degree, students must have the following:

  • French baccalaureate: minimum average of 12 out of 20.
  • Ministry of Education curriculum:
    General stream/Art stream: minimum average of 80%.
    Advanced stream/Elite stream/Science stream: minimum average of 75%.
  • Other high school systems: high school certificate equivalent to the UAE Ministry of Education high school with minimum average of 80% or equivalent .
  • French Aptitude Certificate: minimum score of B2 level (DELF or DALF, SELFEE, TCF with a validity of 2 years, TEF with a validity of 2 years) or completion of SUAD university diploma DU in French language for non-French speakers. Students with a French Baccalaureate are exempted from the language proficiency exam.

students not meeting the required French Aptitude Certificate will be admitted conditionally in the programme, and enrolled in the foundation year in intensive French providing they meet the above criteria:

Upon its successful completion, they will be admitted into the bachelor degree programme.

Other Countries Education’s Systems

Conditions apply on other foreign curriculums according to the admission’s policy set by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Please contact the Student Recruitment office by email: admissions@sorbonne.ae for more details.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is committed to considering applications from all students regardless of their country of origin, income, gender, religion or physical condition.

• Programme tuition fees (per semester)*:
 		AED 215,100 (approximately US$ 58,615)
• Payment of fees:
 		click here

*The fees presented for each program do not include administrative fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Scholarships*

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for Emirati students

Admitted Emirati nationals and children of Emirati mothers’ are awarded a full scholarship covering tuition and study related fees for their Bachelor Programmes (and Foundation year, if any)

Current high school students may apply through NAPO, whereas the graduates of previous years can apply on the Apply Now page.

Academic Excellence Scholarships (for the 1st semester of enrolment)

• 15% scholarship on tuition for the 1st semester of joining

New joiners with excellent academic results in high school are eligible following the below criteria. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

  • Government schools: 90% in the advanced stream, or 95% in the general stream.
  • American system: CGPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 or minimum average of 90%.
  • British system: “A” grade or higher in three “AS-Level” subjects or “A” in the equivalent “A-Level” Subjects, plus “B” grade or higher in six O level subjects.
  • SABIS: minimum average of 85%.
  • International Baccalaureate: IB diploma with minimum score of 5 out of 7 in all courses – three of those subjects must be higher-level courses.
  • French Baccalaureate: minimum average of 14 out of 20.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (starting from the 2nd semester of enrolment)

• 25%-75% Academic Excellence Scholarship

Based on the academic results obtained during the previous semester at SUAD, students are eligible to the academic excellence scholarship granted semester by semester. The scholarship scheme is progressive (25% to 75% and the minimum average grade to be eligible is 12/20. A specific scholarship is available for the 2nd semester of the Foundation Year. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Other Scholarships

10% French Curriculum Schools Scholarship for the 1st semester of enrolment

Students holding a French baccalaureate obtained in one of the GCC countries are eligible for a 10% discount for their first semester. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

Sponsored scholarships

Total, Chalhoub and Ardian Foundation, offer specific scholarships based on academic excellence and/or financial circumstances to selected students.

The deadline for submitting an application is communicated by University email each semester to all enrolled students. Applications are submitted via the online application form. Incomplete and late applications will not be assessed.

Scholarships can’t be combined. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Preferential rate: 10% Family discount

Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programme are eligible for a 10% discount.

*Conditions apply

The knowledge and skills acquired are transferable to many vocations, leading to several career options including curators,archaeologists and speaker, cultural mediator and art programming positions.

Numerous other opportunities lie in the fields of Heritage Institutes And Tourism, Cultural Publishing and Journalism, Teaching and Research and Communication.
Graduates from the Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology are also well positioned to apply for Master programmes at Sorbonne University in Paris or Abu Dhabi. The programme can also be used as a stepping stone for schools of Applied Arts and Design.

The rich cultural heritage of the UAE, coupled with several museums on Saadiyat Island, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, widens the scope of potential careeropportunities for students who choose this discipline.

For more information, please contact:

The Career Centre
Tel: +971 (0) 2 656 9104/9342
Email: careercentre@sorbonne.ae

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