Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies and Creative Industries
About This Programme
Visual culture, creative industries and design-oriented media.
Course Highlights
- Taught at UAEU, ranked #217 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- American-style credit-hour degree taught in English
- UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored
What You'll Study
Taught full time, in person, on an American-style credit-hour system, primarily in English.
General Education
University General Education requirements (21 CH).
- GEEM110 Contemporary Emirati Studies3 credits
- GEAE101 Academic English for Humanities and STEM3 credits
- GEIT113 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3 credits
- GEIE222 Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship3 credits
- GESU121 Sustainability3 credits
Plus additional General Education elective credits selected across Themes 6-11 (Quantitative Reasoning & Critical Thinking, Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health & Wellness, and Cultural Diversity), per the University's General Education framework.
College Requirements
- HSSR101 Fundamentals of Humanities and Social Sciences3 credits
- HSSR103 People, Places, and Society3 credits
Major Required Courses (Core)
54 CH.
- VIS104 Digital Design I3 credits
- VIS201 Drawing3 credits
- VIS214 History of World Art I3 credits
- VIS215 History of World Art II3 credits
- VIS301 Painting I3 credits
- VIS302 Sculpture I3 credits
- VIS303 Digital Photography I3 credits
- VIS304 Digital Design II3 credits
- VIS311 Painting and Digital Art II3 credits
- VIS312 Sculpture II3 credits
- VIS313 Digital Photography II3 credits
- VIS314 History of World Art III3 credits
- VIS382 Art Criticism3 credits
- VIS404 Digital Design III3 credits
- VIS411 Painting and Digital Art III3 credits
- VIS412 Sculpture III3 credits
- VIS413 Digital Photography III3 credits
- VIS485 Capstone Integrated3 credits
Major Electives: Group 1
Select 2 courses (6 CH).
- VIS401 Illustrative Techniques3 credits
- VIS216 History of Asian Art3 credits
- VIS315 History of Contemporary Art3 credits
- VIS320 Public and Environmental Art3 credits
Major Electives: Group 2
Select 2 courses (6 CH).
- TOR140 Introduction to Museology3 credits
- VIS424 Writing for Art3 credits
- VIS425 Art Business Management3 credits
- PRVT462 Intellectual Property Laws3 credits
- ENTR310 Innovation and Creativity3 credits
- MSC243 Public Relations & Advertising Principles3 credits
Major Electives: Group 3
Select 3 courses (9 CH).
- VIS123 Mobile Phone Photography3 credits
- ENG242 Introduction to Film & Visual Studies3 credits
- ENG314 Animation Filmmaking3 credits
- MSC250 Photojournalism3 credits
- MSC257 Television Production I3 credits
- MSC462 Designing Media Messages3 credits
- CIVL201 Engineering Materials for Art3 credits
- MECH201 3D Printing Technologies3 credits
Internship
- VIS451 Internship6 credits
Free Electives
Free elective credits selected from University course offerings.
Entry Requirements
UAE nationals are generally government-sponsored; non-UAE curricula require Ministry of Education equivalency.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in design studios, media, advertising, animation and the creative industries, or in freelance practice.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Licensed and accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA); UAEU also holds US institutional accreditation from WSCUC.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Start Date
August (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
A UAE General Secondary Certificate (Grade 12) or accredited equivalent, typically 80% or above, with the subject grades required for the major.
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Art & Design
Campus
Al Ain
Course Type
Bachelor of Arts
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 79,830/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online (UAE nationals via the Ministry of Higher Education portal), sit the required tests, and submit attested certificates with Ministry of Education equivalency.