Photography (Top Up)

Morley College London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

What does this TEF outcome mean?

Course summary

Our BA top-up will offer a unique opportunity to develop your individual creative practice and build excellent industry standard photography skills. This is a Level 6 programme for those who have successfully completed a HND in photography, or relevant subject and wish to achieve a BA honours qualification. During the course you will take a practical approach to exploring imagery within contemporary contexts and will be supported to extend your creative vision and professionalism. You will explore more adventurous and experimental outcomes on the margins of traditional practice, which will extend your critical understanding and will allow you to develop your creativity and enrich your portfolio. This course will not only provide you with subject specific versatile skills, but also with an invaluable range of transferable skills, such as contextual understanding, research, collaboration, and communication skills, as well as opportunities to participate in contemporary cultural debates and industry engagement. Our group sizes are small and our traditional black and white wet darkroom, as well as state of the art photographic studio, will give you the opportunity to engage fully in your studies. Where appropriate, online teaching will form part of the programme delivery, while hybrid learning will provide the opportunity of joining the class remotely. During your studies, you will be supported by our team of tutors with professional experience as photography practitioners, in regular one-to-one online tutorials. This is a current AOP (Association of Photographers) accredited course, that offers all students a free AOP student membership for the duration of their studies.

Modules

Investigation and Development 40 credits Refinement and Completion 40 credits Critical Thinking 20 credits Exhibition 20 credits

Assessment method

Learning and Teaching methods used include, but are not limited to: Tutorials (Individual & Group) Group Critiques Seminars Lectures Practical Workshops Study visits The top-up programme has an emphasis on professionalisation of practice, steered towards a final exhibition of work. Studio based activities are a significant feature of the programme, providing a location for both individual and group tutorials. Projects are open and allow for broad, multi-disciplinary approaches which allow student to create personal responses. Summative Assessment takes two forms, either written, or practical ‘portfolio’ based submissions. Written submissions will cover a range of contexts applicable to professional working, including academic writing, reviews and self-reflection. The practical submissions are not limited to specific types of work, to allow for the broadest practice ambitions, and again encourage the thought of presenting to a range of contexts. Prior to Summative Assessment, students receive weekly tutorials and will have 6 weekly ‘Progress Reviews’ which will offer direct formative feedback on both module and course progress. Formative assessment through tutorials and group crit sessions is intended to provide a supportive environment that encourages and directs the development of students’ practice. Group sessions support students to engage critically with one another’s work, whilst encouraging the awareness of how their own work presents to a broader audience.

How to apply

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.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 48 points

Morley College London is committed to recruitment and admissions processes which are fair, explicit and implemented consistently across its range of provision. As such, the College aims to place their applicants on appropriate programmes with the support necessary for them to succeed. The admissions process will encompass a range of services, from the provision of information about programmes and services, through to the point of enrolment and beyond. The College positively encourages applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds, experience and ages, including those with disabilities. In line with government legislation, the College has an Equality Policy, to ensure that applicants participate in a fair and equal process for selection, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, age, disability, religious beliefs or socio-economic background. Through implementation of these policies, the College will ensure that selection at interview is restricted to the academic ability to succeed on the course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Mature students: if you do not meet the entry requirements as outlined above, we may still consider your application based on previous employment or previous study. We appreciate that mature students may have extensive relevant experience gained through paid or unpaid work, or through other types of professional training or sector-related opportunities and this experience may be used to support an application. Please contact the Programme Lead on [email protected] to discuss.

Portfolio

A digital portfolio of own photographic work that will be presented/discussed in the interview.

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	5.5	Students and prospective students require a minimum level of 5.5 IELTS (or equivalent) with no score lower than a 5 in listening and speaking and no score lower than a 5.5 in reading and writing.
PTE Academic	42	Pearson Test of English Academic

Students undertaking higher level education need to have a commensurate level of understanding of the English language so as to be able to achieve their qualification. In the case of applicants for whom English is a second language, the interviewer and Central Admissions Team must assure themselves of the applicant’s ability to function at IELTS English Level 5.5 (or equivalent). This is in line with the requirements of the awarding and validating bodies. Where applicants do not hold an IELTS qualification at 5.5 or equivalent, the Central Admissions will ask the applicant to sit an online test (BKSB) to check the suitability of the applicant’s English level prior to interview. Photographic identification will be required. Applicants who have recently completed (i.e. in the last 2 years) a formal programme of study in English at an appropriate level (such as a level 3 BTEC or ‘A’ level) prior to starting their Higher National are considered to be at a suitable level of English without requiring additional evidence..

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England	£3235	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£3235	Year 1
Scotland	£3235	Year 1
Wales	£3235	Year 1

Additional fee information

There is a materials fee of £50.00, which covers the cost of essential materials. When visiting exhibitions, if there is an entry fee you will be expected to cover it. You will also need to anticipate the cost of film and darkroom paper. The academic year will end with an exhibition. For this, there will be additional printing and possibly framing costs. You will also need to own a DSLR, or mirrorless camera and have access to a computer.