On our BA (Hons) Photography degree you will develop a creative, professional identity and signature style by combining technique, theory, experimentation and ethical practice.

You will explore contemporary photographic practice, including fashion, documentary, portrait, moving image, landscape, portrait and fine art photography, gaining a rounded knowledge of these varied and exciting disciplines.

Collaboration with other disciplines is encouraged, developing new ideas and connections with subjects such as graphic design, illustration and animation. The course will show you how creative, documentary and arts-based photographers can become commercially successful in a diverse range of careers within the visual arts and beyond.

What's covered in this course?

You will learn through practice, by developing confidence as a contemporary photographer. Your learning will be informed by developing a deeper understanding of current photographic practice, from publishing and exhibiting to editorial and photojournalism work.

You will learn from award-winning staff with international reputations and a wealth of industry experience, having worked for clients such as: the BBC, the Brit Awards, British Telecom, Channel 4, The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Marie Claire, Conde Nast, Studio Wayne McGregor, Microsoft, Save the Children, Oxfam, The Red Cross, NHS, the Royal Society of Arts, Tate Britain, Lancome, Chanel Beaute, London Fashion Week and the Royal Opera House.

There is also a dedicated technical support team and exceptional facilities situated within the City Centre Campus. These include industry-standard photographic studios, darkrooms, television studios, editing suites, a giant green screen studio and an extensive Hires and Loans department.

We will help you to collaborate both within the University (for example, with the fashion, music, acting or product design courses) as well as externally, with live briefs for real clients. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for part of the course, or to go on trips to destinations such as New York, Berlin and Paris.

We have exceptional levels of external engagement, with visiting lectures given by nationally and internationally-recognised photographers, as well as having numerous links with industry, workshops, seminars, masterclasses, careers advice, portfolio reviews, mentorships and placements.

In an environment of imagination and experimentation, we will nurture your talent and help you to develop into an employable and creative photographer.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.