16May
Undergraduate This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
Gain exposure to the captivating photographic industry with this degree. You will study a range of photographic techniques and disciplines such as documentary, fashion, portraiture, fine art and commercial, allowing you to create independent briefs. Benefit from guest talks, practical projects and work-based learning to develop into a versatile photographer. Pursue a personal specialism and build a career in photography with our foundation degree programme. You will gain the technical knowledge of how to use a variety of cameras and how to make the most out of available and studio lighting. Practical learning is underpinned by photographic historical and contextual understanding. You will explore multiple aspects of photography, ranging from refining your ideas and concepts, to working in the industry. You will develop your creative vision and produce a professional portfolio capturing your talent. You will also visit art and photography festivals such as Liverpool Look Festival and Derby Format Festival. We emphasise work-related learning so you’ll experience guest lecturers from industry speakers such as Tom Martin, Ian Beesley and Murat Özkasim. We also encourage international residential visits to engage with the international creative industry.
Modules
Level 4 focuses on skills and knowledge, giving a flavour of the genres of photography with an opportunity to try out ideas and build the skills needed to be a successful photographer. Commercial Photographic Techniques (20 credits) – You will develop technical photographic skills and build knowledge of cameras, the exposure triangle, simple lighting techniques and post production. You will learn to purposefully select equipment and processes to create a portfolio of photographs. Commercial Practice (20 credits) – Allows you to explore how you can make your own work commercial and saleable. Fashion and Editorial Photography (20 credits) – Allows you to practically examine the fast paced world of commercial photography. You will learn skills relevant to the communication of narrative, theme or mood, to be used in a variety of contexts including use alongside a supporting text, or as standalone images. The module will allow you to develop your research skills, increase your knowledge of well-known practitioners in the field, and build a good understanding of specialised photographic techniques within the industry. Fine Art Photography (20 credits) – Delve into the work of photography as art. This will introduce you to historical and contemporary practitioners, creative techniques and concepts, and show you how to build a career as a fine artist within photography. Explore the importance of effective communication through the created image and its presentation to an audience. Photographic Discourse (20 credits) – Through this module, you will be encouraged to think ethically about the role of the photographer in terms of communication and how the image is interpreted by the viewer. The Creative Professional (20 credits) – Allows you to identify a career path. Focusing on a chosen photographer/artist you will explore how you can create a career trajectory based on your findings. Year 2 – Level 5 Level 5 (FD) incorporates work experience (this is encouraged in level 4) and collaboration, working with your peers as photographers and with other practitioners within the creative arts. You are supported to find your own photographic style and direct your own photographic trajectory, evidenced through both practical and written forms: Collaboration (20 credits) – You will explore the trial and complexities of working in an interdisciplinary context, by collaborating with students from different disciplines to produce a shared outcome. Advanced Photographic Techniques (20 credits) – This module will serve to develop your knowledge of new sophisticated techniques in relation to planning, shooting, post production and presentation of images. With these tools you will be able to work both in the studio and on location when producing commercial (e.g. PR, fashion and advertising), documentary and fine art photography. Personal Photographic Project (20 credits) – Use your project management skills in the planning, preparation and realisation of a career-defining portfolio that demonstrates your own identity as a practitioner. Think about how to act as a responsible practitioner and reflect the culturally diverse world around you by making considered and ethical choices in your realised projects. Contemporary Issues in Photography (20 credits) – This module encourages you to identify, analyse and further adapt the work of current photography practices that inspire you. You will think about the significance of your own role as a photographer within the wider industry and begin to defend your practice in a professional context. Working in the Photographic Industry (40 credits) – This live brief encourages you to think about yourself as a practitioner and how you promote your work in the professional arena. You will explore the relationship between the creative, technical ability and communication skills that are required to fulfil professional photography briefs and adhere to client specifications.
Assessment method
You will be assessed in a variety of modes. This will vary depending on the style of module, you will be expected to undertake written work in the form of blogs, workbooks and essays. Presentations and portfolio reviews, along with practical submissions.
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W640
- Institution code:
- L21
- Campus name:
- Quarry Hill Campus
- Campus code:
- Q
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 48 points
A level - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MPP
Access to HE Diploma - M: 24 credits
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MP
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level
University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, ut who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application. *21 years and over at the start of the course The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Portfolio
Other
An appropriate reference desirable.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £8745 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8745 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8745 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8745 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Additional costs/fee information
Fees are charged per academic year.
There are additional costs associated with the practical elements of this programme, which may include:
Photographic film & paper
Printing costs
Framing and display of work
Optional trips and visits
These costs will be led by the nature of the work that you produce, however you will be expected to meet the costs of production of photographic projects.
Provider information
University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College
University Centre Leeds
Park Lane
Leeds
LS3 1AA
Course contact details
Visit our course page Enquiry form