Course summary

Arts University Plymouth is an arts university for the 21st century, preparing students who are uniquely placed to provide creative solutions to the complex global challenges of a changing world. Formerly known as Plymouth College of Art, we were granted full university title in Spring 2022. We are now the city of Plymouth’s first and only specialist arts university, allowing us to offer our students a dynamic and unique learning experience. If you want to pursue a creative degree at Arts University Plymouth but feel you have yet to acquire the experience and range of skills necessary, our Extended BA course will prepare you for entry to one of our BA (Hons) undergraduate courses. This four-year route offers an exploratory year, developing your insight into a range of art, design and media skills and approaches, before focusing on your Photography degree. Our BA (Hons) Photography course focuses on a blend of creative and critical practice. It examines and encourages the many types of photographic image-making that emerge from photography as a contemporary art practice. As a student you will develop technical and critical skills 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. 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 language, as emergent and highly individual, contemporary artists. On this journey, 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. 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 be encouraged to develop your own ideas in relation to your practice and in doing so will try out a range of photographic methods, working with people and places, in urban locations, natural environments and the studio. In addition, you will examine photography as one contemporary art form in relation to others. You will also consider photography in relation to culture, society and the wider world. During your time studying with us, you will be publishing, exhibiting and presenting your work and your ideas. Ultimately, our Photography course will help you build your creativity, confidence, knowledge and expertise. Within the creative environment of our photographic centre at Arts University Plymouth, 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. 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.