Photography

Year 1

This full-time, studio-based Foundation year will develop your creative and critical practice and challenge your understanding of the Art & Design disciplines. These experiences will expand on both your contextual and practical knowledge and introduce you to the Creative Industries and inform your course options for Year 2. An extensive range of Art & Design disciplines will be explored, including lens-based, providing you with the opportunity to develop a wide range of creative skills.

Year 2

This year will focus on developing your technical and creative photographic skills, with dedicated photographic projects based in-studio/darkroom and on location. You will learn how to apply your technical knowledge to deliver high-quality outcomes, whilst simultaneously developing the critical, contextual and visual skills, that are key to communicating your chosen themes and ideas.

Year 3

You will undertake a series of project briefs that enable you to expand on both your technical and critical contextual knowledge. You will explore a wide variety of topics and develop a portfolio of work that based on your personal ambitions and interests. You will consider your practice within a professional context and produce a portfolio of work that also demonstrates your awareness of ethical approaches to image making. 

Year 4

Through in-depth exploration, experimentation and critique of your chosen topics and themes, you will be guided by briefs that support the development of your self-directed projects. You will produce a creative body of work and portfolio in response to your interests and professional career ambitions and exhibit at our annual Degree Show.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

You will explore photography within a variety of studio and darkroom settings that facilitate collaborative learning experiences using both traditional techniques and the latest digital technologies. Our critical and contextual studies modules explore visual culture and context while our creative futures activities embed an enterprising outlook.

You will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of external facing activities throughout the duration of the course including field study trips, national competitions, and live collaborative projects with a wide variety of external businesses and organisations.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - Approx 15-20 students per group, around 2 hours per week
• Seminars - Approx 10 students per group, 1 hour per week
• Tutorial - Approx 10 students per group, 30 minutes per week
• Project Supervision - 15-20 students per group, 1-3 hours per week
• Demonstration - 15-20 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Practical class or workshop - 15-20 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Supervised time in studio / workshop - 15-20 students per group,length of time varies per week
• Independent Study - 15-20 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Field Work - 15-20 students per group, length of time varies per week
• External Visits - 15-20 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - 15-20 students per group, length of time varies per week

Unless specified, activities vary between 1-5 hours per week depending on the module you are undertaking. More detailed information about indicative student workload hours can be found within each module's detailed information page.

How long is a BA (Hons) Photography course?

This course can be completed in 4 years. This includes lectures, tutorials, independent study and other activities. 

Independent Study

As you progress through the course increasing emphasis is placed upon the development of independent learning which culminates in self-directed project/s. The year will afford you the opportunity reflect on your previous experiences and apply your knowledge and skills at a level approaching professional practice.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Our dedicated team of academic and technical staff have extensive knowledge and understanding of the field and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Their experience and expertise will provide you with a deep understanding of the photography disciplines.

Our Professional Associates and industry experts also contribute to the course in a variety of ways and our Guest@Grays lecture programme invites national and international artists, designers and photographers to speak about their work. The course works closely with the University’s Library, Study Skills and Careers Centre and staff at other academic institutions.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 3 portfolios

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios
• 1 oral assessment

Year 3

• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 1 report
• 3 portfolios
• 2 oral assessments

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio
• 1 degree show

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

There is no placement option in this one-year course however you will have the opportunity to participate in a number of live projects briefs with external industry partners and enter national and international photography competitions.

Job Prospects

The choice of projects and the wide range of experiences offered by our course ensures that you will have a number of employment opportunities in various roles across a range of industry sectors post-graduation. The department is mindful of employer expectations, and we adapt the curriculum accordingly whilst continuing to closely monitor emerging and future employment trends and opportunities.

Our graduates are adaptable and capable competing in the job market; securing employment locally and nationally across a wide range of creative and commercial sectors with many also establishing their own studios while others are working as freelance photographers for major creative design agencies and media organisations. A number have extended their education through Postgraduate study.

Is Photography a good career choice?

Previous Photography graduates have gone on to pursue careers as:

• Studio/Portrait Photographers
• Scientific Photographers
• Advertising & Fashion Photographers
• Commercial & Digital Photo Editors
• Photography Technicians
• Photojournalists
• Videographers
• Drone Operators 

Advanced Entry

• Higher National Diploma: A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 3 subject to successfully meeting the partner course criteria.

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria stated will be invited to attend an 'advanced' portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Alternative Qualifications

Those who may not hold the standard qualifications, are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences. Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service  for further advice and guidance.

A portfolio review/interview is still a requirement for this type of candidate.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. 

Additional Costs

• £25 Studio fund – annual fee
• £50 – £150 Materials
• £250 Field Study (optional)
• £300 Camera (optional, may be borrowed from school loan store)
• £1,000 Laptop (optional, on campus facilities may be accessed)