Course summary
The University is world-renowned for the study of Documentary Photography and this distinctive MA offers a contemporary and lively engagement with the subject, ranging from reportage to fine art. You will also engage with international visiting speakers and our cohort of scholars undertaking PhDs in photography as part of our photography research centre. The MA Documentary Photography course challenges you to explore definitions of Documentary Photography by embracing a wide range of practices, while working through real world engagement with social and political issues. You will be taught by world-leading photographers, writers and curators through a series of lectures, seminars and technical workshops which will encourage you to develop new ways of thinking about your practice.
Modules
The introductory modules are shaped around a lecture programme that covers the critical issues of contemporary photographic practice, and a seminar programme in which you will develop new ways of looking at your own practice. You will explore distinct areas of contemporary photography while reviewing your own and fellow students’ work in progress. Through negotiation, you will develop a proposal for new work that will form the framework for further projects. The final modules are structured to enable you to fully realise your ambitions for your work. A lecture programme and regular contact with teaching staff, along with seminars from visiting fellows and prominent practitioners, will assist you towards the production of a significant body of new work along with a key situating text. Students have in the past exhibited their final work at public galleries including Ffotogallery, Cardiff. You are encouraged to develop the final production of the work in the form that is most relevant to the work: for example, exhibition, book dummy or website. This is a significant step towards moving out into the wider photographic industry.
Assessment method
Initially you will be assessed through the production of experimental work-in progress, with fully resolved work expected in later modules. Alongside your work you will be asked to develop a perspective through written texts placing your work in its photographic and social context.
Entry requirements
Normally an Honours degree in a related subject is required. If you have solid professional industry experience rather than academic achievement, this may be acceptable for entry to study at this level through a process called accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL). Where English is not your 1st language, applicants are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English language at IELTS level 6.5 or equivalent, with no lower than 5.5 in any one component.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
Some courses incur costs as part of your learning - these are in addition to the course fees and students are often responsible for these costs. We would urge you to visit the relevant course pages on our website (http://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/ma-documentary-photography/). These pages have information on fees and funding, and additional costs where relevant.
Provider information
University of South Wales
Llantwit Road
Treforest
Pontypridd
CF37 1DL