Course summary

The Higher National Certificate in Art and Design (Photography) is a wide-ranging one-year course that aims to introduce students to higher education and employment in the photographic industry. Students develop practical, academic and research skills alongside exploration of photography techniques and practices which are relevant to progression onto the Level 5 Higher National Diploma Top-Up or for a variety of creative career pathways in industry. The broad variety of assignments helps students to discover which area of photography they are passionate about and staff offer the career guidance needed to pursue these passions professionally. Study is set with a vocational bias and skills and knowledge are developed through practical and theoretical sessions. This includes working in a photographic studio, creative lighting, working with a range of photographic mediums (film and digital), image manipulation and editing, and working on location. Alongside the many practical skills gained, students develop self-management, self-promotion, and interpersonal skills, whilst improving reflective practice and evaluation. Students also gain transferable skills in areas such as problem solving, numeracy, IT and communication.