- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.- Acquire digital and traditional photographic analogue skills, digital capture and production and image management and manipulation, using industry standard equipment.- Develop core practical skills through creative professional practice and a critical engagement with image making.- Refine your ability to solve problems, manage complex projects, and communicate your ideas effectively.Engage with a distinctive, independent approach to a wide range of photographic contexts with this professional and practice-based degree. You are encouraged to take risks in a highly creative environment, developing your understanding and knowledge of the medium to enable you to fulfil your potential in the constantly-evolving discipline of photography.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Photography course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree.You learn through a creative, practice-based approach to self-directed production which emulates the independent nature of professional practice within photography. This is underpinned through an exploration of historical and contemporary approaches and relevant theoretical issues in order to help situate your work in a critical context.You learn through- specialist workshops- technical surgeries- large group lectures- smaller group seminars- group critiques and review sessions- individual tutorialsIn the foundation year, you'll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You'll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You'll also become familiar with Hallam's exceptional facilities and staff, so you're fully prepared for undergraduate study.

The course has established professional working relationships with a number of photographic professional partners including the Photographers' Gallery, the National Media Museum, Site Gallery, Millennium Galleries, The Hepworth Wakefield, Village Bookshop and Gallery, and Impressions Gallery.

Throughout the programme you will have the opportunity to attend national and international photography and art events which will broaden your understanding of the wider photographic industry, its stakeholders and key requirements (additional costs may apply).

A number of industry days and events (Grad Talk, Pathways) are held on campus where you can network with and attend talks and workshops run by creative media industry professionals and organisations. You will also have access to guidance from our professional careers and employment service, CV preparation and interview practice, an annual programme of employer recruitment fairs, and an online graduate vacancy service.