BA Photography

The BA (Hons) Photography degree course focuses on commercial photographic practice, specifically in the areas of advertising, editorial and fashion work.

The course is led by visual and technological imperatives and taught as a means for communication as well as to express creativity. It helps you to acquire knowledge, skills and an approach to your professional practice that is relevant to industry needs.

The course is structured around briefs and assignments requiring an analytical approach and you are challenged throughout to build your awareness of visual culture to inform effective communication. You will be introduced to a range of theoretical ideas, which include topics such as visual communication and colour theory, photography and truth, photography and ethics, narrative, audience and point of consumption, which you will use to inform your practice.

After a first year of intensive skills development, your studio practice will reflect professional expectations. You will have access to an industry-standard photographic studio and camera equipment. Business and professional skills are embedded throughout the course.

Guest lecturers are invited to work with students. Internationally renowned visitors to the course in the last year have included editorial photographer Tom Miles, travel photographer Philip Lee Harvey, commercial photographer Tim Flach and President of the Association of Photographers Simon Leach.

Your Future

The development of your professional skillset is embedded in every unit of the course for the entirety of the three years of study. You are encouraged to develop skills in analytical thinking and critical judgement, interpersonal skills and transferable skills throughout all levels of the course.

Students have had recent successes in national competitions such as the D&AD student awards; Association of Photographers Student Photographer of the Year; Professional Photographer magazine Student Landscape Photographer of the Year and the Tetley Student Awards.

The majority of graduates seek to enter the photographic industry in a freelance capacity. In recent years graduates have found posts with professional photographers, others have found positions in high-profile companies such as EMAP Publications and Holborn Studios.

Building thorough knowledge of the theoretical as well as the practical side of photography prepares graduates well for continued study at postgraduate level. The University College offers a range of MA courses suitable for Photography graduates to explore.