Falmouth University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Start your career journey as a compelling, powerful commercial photographer. On this Commercial Photography degree course, you will find your unique creative voice while learning how to thrive in a fast-changing industry. Whether you're creating photographs and films for high-end campaigns or producing innovative digital content for social media, you’ll learn how to tell impactful stories and shoot commissions which could take the worlds of advertising, marketing and branding by storm. Combining visual communication and innovation with technical expertise and business skills, you will curate and refine your personal brand while building professional networks and producing an industry-ready portfolio. You will: Learn how to tell compelling multi-channel stories across a range of photographic genres for commercial brands and clients Work on real industry briefs, from concept to pitch and delivery, using professional-standard studios and digital post-production suites Get equipped with specialist technical skills including working in a studio, pre and postproduction, digital workflows, editing, design, layout and retouching Collaborate with other specialists on live campaigns and brand strategies Gain the business prowess needed to excel in the industry, including communication skills and project management alongside sustainable and ethical considerations Develop valuable skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking and negotiation
Modules
Using industry-standard equipment and processes, you'll master a wide range of techniques and technologies to produce innovative photographic, video and multimedia content. You'll explore the histories of advertising and the fundamentals of marketing communications, narrative and audience, interrogating the relationship between image and text and how images make an impact in complex media environments. Building your knowledge of how brands build successful communication strategies through narrative and digital storytelling, you will build your own self-directed projects and produce a commercial portfolio that defines your unique creative stance. Year One: From day one of your Commercial Photography degree, you'll develop specialist photographic skills and learn to market yourself as a professional visual content producer. You'll explore the contexts and histories of modern advertising and the fundamentals of marketing communications, and we'll introduce you to a range of commercial photography and moving image-making techniques and technologies. Modules Professional Presence Play Impact Move Visual Communication Year Two: Through portfolio development, live briefs and work placements, you'll raise your level of technical ability, explore the commercial environment and build on your critical and collaborative working skills. You'll also begin to understand how photography and moving image are used within multi-channel campaigns and use theories and concepts to critically reflect on the impact of emerging technologies. Modules Brand Narrative Production Going Live Collaborate Audience and Intention Year Three: You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. How you’ll study during your professional placement You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. Year Four: The final year of your Commercial Photography degree represents your chance to shape your professional and creative identity. Putting your skills to use, you'll showcase your unique photographic practice and critical mind through your final contextual project, portfolio and degree show. Modules Positions Approaches Professional Futures Launch As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.
Assessment method
100% of your assessment will be coursework with no formal examinations. Assessment methods Coursework may include portfolios, projects, exhibitions, journals, presentations and written papers
How to apply
29Jan
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:
- PY36
- Institution code:
- F33
- Campus name:
- Penryn Campus
- Campus code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Through the award of international scholarships, we aim to support academic enrichment by encouraging diversity and excellence at Falmouth. For details of our international scholarships, and how to apply for them, please visit our website at www.falmouth.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
AS
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
T Level - P - M
If you are able to demonstrate relevant, current, equivalent experience instead of formal qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Please contact our Applicant Services team before applying, for advice regarding your individual experience and eligibility. If you are an international applicant and require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must have a recognised English language test approved and vouched for by the University at the appropriate level. Our Applicant Services team can help you with any general questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests. For more specific advice, we recommend you also consult UKCISA http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Portfolio
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | An (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening |
| Trinity ISE | A minimum of Trinity ISE II with Distinction in all four components is required. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Level B2 | A minimum on the Cambridge English scale of 169 is required |
| PTE Academic | 55 | A minimum score in the Pearson Academic Test of English of 55 overall is required, with a minimum of 51 in all four components. |
If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
English language support at Falmouth
https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/international/english-language-support
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
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Falmouth University
Woodlane
Falmouth
TR11 4RH