Course summary

If you have a keen visual eye and want to work in a creative career, you might want to consider photography. Our two-year course will help you develop the skills set behind the camera and use digital technology to produce your work. Our industry-standard facilities and expert teaching team will support you along the way. This multi-disciplinary course aims to provide a comprehensive study of photographic and related skills that meet the creative and commercial needs of the sector with an emphasis on developing freelance practice. Your expertise will be developed through technical instruction, client-led briefs, a grounding in relevant business skills, and practical assignments that are linked to current industrial and commercial expectations. At the culmination of the course, you will host a group exhibition of your work at a central location; you will be expected to source and negotiate a venue, organise the installation and host a private view. In previous years our photography students have won various national competitions including the MTV, Fujifilm, and Ilford Harman Student Photographer Awards. Former student, Tyrone Williams was the joint winner of the inaugural BBC4 Great British Photography Challenge, and we’ve also had students shortlisted for The Times Young Photographer of The Year and the Association of Photography awards. The HND Photography at Leicester College is a two-year, vibrant, industry-focused course delivered by highly qualified, experienced staff with the intention to prepare students to enter the world of professional photography. It offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional degree courses with the emphasis on preparing students to work in a commercial environment. This course takes place at St Margaret’s Campus, where our excellent photography facilities contain darkrooms, professional studios, and digital imaging suites that will allow you to explore and develop your photographic techniques and understanding. Learning takes place through lectures, workshops, live client briefs and via our online environments that you can access remotely to support your learning. The Student Adobe Creative Suite subscription and some photographic materials are included within the course fee. Creative Arts students can also benefit from having access to an extensive range of facilities within the area and opportunities to collaborate with other students across a range of creative arts pathways, further developing your employability and industry related skills. Successful completion of the first year will result in the achievement of the Higher National Certificate in Photography. This achievement will allow learner registration onto the Higher National Diploma in Photography. On successful completion of the Higher National Diploma (HND), you can progress to a BA (Hons) by studying your final year on our Professional Studies (Creative Industries) course, this programme aims to enhance your professional work-ready skills and commercial business knowledge for a successful career in the Creative Industries, Photographic or freelance industry.