Commercial Photography with Foundation Year - BA (Hons)
University of Derby

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-26

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-26

Duration

4 Years

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Communication & Media Studies
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Domestic
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England
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Course info

Study Photography (Commercial) at the University of Derby and become one of the most employable graduates in the UK. On this degree, you will develop skills such as critical thinking and research, to equip you well for diverse roles across the photo-imaging sector and beyond. **KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE** - Graduate from this degree being one of the very few specifically commercial photography programmes in Britain that offers the opportunity to work professionally from the outset - Innovate ...Read more

Study Photography (Commercial) at the University of Derby and become one of the 'most employable' graduates in the UK. On this degree, you will develop skills such as critical thinking and research, to equip you well for diverse roles across the photo-imaging sector and beyond.


KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE

- Graduate from this degree being one of the very few specifically commercial photography programmes in Britain that offers the opportunity to work professionally from the outset - Innovate beyond existing, conventional commercial practices to set new standards of visual language that advocates for contemporary and future-visioning clients - Hone your skills in an excellent learning environment featuring extensive photographic studies, black and white and colour darkroom, film processing facilities, dedicated digital suites, and Mac suites offering industry-standard software. - Take a hands-on approach and to apply to exhibit your work for Format International Photography Festival, the UK's leading international contemporary festival of photography and related media. - Benefit from our partnerships such as FORMAT, Association of Photographers, GRAIN Photography Hub, Derby Museum and Art Galleries, Magnum Photos, MAC Birmingham, ESMAD Porto, the Art Institute of Las Vegas and more.


HOW YOU’LL LEARN:

The programme is delivered through a combination of practice-led workshops alongside lectures, seminars, tutorial support, national and international study visits. Whilst progressing through their studies, students work with the support of both actively working and researching photographic lecturers and industry professionals. Through engaging in exciting and intensive periods of risk-taking and creative explorations, students grow as autonomous practitioners and independent professionals with highly distinctive approaches that separate them from typical industry expectations.


YOUR CAREER:

The course places an emphasis on critical thinking, research, writing and oral communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. As such, you will be well equipped for diverse roles across the photo-imaging sector and beyond, making excellent use of transferable skills. Our graduates have gone on to become artists, academics, teachers, curators, critics, professional photographers, editorial photographers, picture editors. Here are what some of our graduates are doing now: - Idris Kahn OBE, leading UK artist - Jenny Anderson, Director, Argentea Gallery - Nicola Shipley, director GRAIN Photography Hub - Michael Sargeant, On-line Education Manager, MAGNUM Photos - John McLean, leading photographic artist and architectural photographer - Steve Edwards, leading editorial photographer for UK and US publications - Bethany Kane, Programming Officer FORMAT Photography Festival

Key stats

  UCAS
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2025 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
48/279
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
73rd
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
79th
What students say
S
Simona
12 Dec 25

The University has the best lecturers and the best people I have ever..Read more

J
Jake
05 Mar 25

The facilities offered to photography students are industry standard, including colour darkrooms which most universities have got rid of. Derby is a small city, nearby the Peak..Read more

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if you live within Domestic. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Domestic. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this is subject to change.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this is subject to change.

£16,900 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

£16,900 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this is subject to change. Please confirm the most up to date fee with the individual institution.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Photography reviews

Photography
Photography
S
Simona
12 Dec 25
Photography - BA (Hons)
The University has the best lecturers and the best people I have ever...
Read more
J
Jake
05 Mar 25
Photography - BA (Hons)
The facilities offered to photography students are industry standard, including colour darkrooms which most universities have got rid of. Derby is a small city, nearby the Peak...
Read more
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Uni info

University of Derby
University of Derby , Derby

Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby is a widely renowned higher education institution, and is the only...

CUG ranking
79th
University of Derby
Kedleston Road Derby DE22 1GB United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Peartree  1.8 miles away

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