Course summary

Our BA (Hons) Photography program has been designed to cultivate a dynamic blend of creative and critical practice, positioning you for success in the ever-evolving field of photography. With a keen focus on contemporary art practices, we delve into various forms of photographic image-making, empowering you to unleash your creative potential and excel in the photography industry. As a student, you will develop technical and critical skills throughout the three years of the course, to become an accomplished, independent photographer and critically informed image-maker. Approaching photography with a spirit of enquiry and experimentation, while developing your technical and communication skills, will open up a range of creative and professional possibilities for you as a photographic practitioner. Why Choose This Course? During this course, we consider the expanded and innovative potential of photography within the context of contemporary art. Our students explore a range of conceptual, practical, and experimental approaches to photography in locating their own creative narrative, as emergent and highly individual, contemporary artists. You’ll develop creative and technical production skills using a range of media, covering digital and film-based photography, from 19th Century processes through to the latest technology, in order to proficiently express your photographic vision. You will also be able to critically reflect on your own practice and creativity and understand photography as a key visual language within contemporary culture. You will learn from teaching staff who have a range of internationally recognised experience in art, documentary, curatorial, and participatory-based forms of practice. As a teaching team, they will help you build your own distinctive and innovative creative practice. Over the three years of studying with us, you will be publishing, exhibiting, and presenting your work and your ideas. You will examine photography as and in relation to other contemporary art forms, considering its significance within culture, society, and the wider world. You'll be encouraged to find your own independent voice, experimenting and creating work that expresses your creativity, ideas, and skills. You'll explore a variety of photographic methods, working with people and places in urban locations, natural environments, and studios. We're committed to supporting you in discovering different ways of working and finding a photographic language that resonates with you. Our photographic resources boast industry-standard studios, featuring an infinity cove for creating seamless backdrops and a series of well-equipped studios ideal for portrait and product photography. Access to lighting and high-end digital camera equipment, large-format scanners, and post-production suites is readily available. Additionally, our Equipment Resource Centre offers a vast array of 6000 pieces of kit that are free to hire. Regional, national and international study trips are offered to introduce you to a global photographic community and perspective. Recent activities have included trips to Paris Photo, Tate Modern in London, Lacock Abbey and the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol. Our graduating students show their work annually at prestigious venues including Free Range in London, and have been consistently recognised for their innovative and ground-breaking work with numerous awards, prizes, exhibition opportunities and magazine features. Our curriculum is enriched with a diverse schedule of visiting lecturers and photographers, many of whom actively participate in running practical workshops, contributing to group critiques and seminar discussions, and providing portfolio review sessions. Graduates of this course can become photographers, artists, curators, art or creative directors, creative producers, filmmakers, writers, academics, lecturers and teachers, online producers and more.