Course Insight

Get your career in the creative industries off to a great start and learn to produce photographs that really stand out in a competitive market. You will be treated as a creative practitioner from day one, working alongside experienced professional photographers who will guide you as you develop your own research interests and pursue your own career aspirations.

Studying a wide range of photographic practices, the course will encourage you to explore photography as creative expression by teaching traditional analogue techniques alongside digital photography, enabling you to make photographic images that demand attention.

Dialogue with journalists, designers and performers will expand and deepen your practice. You will have access to professional standard photographic equipment and will receive one-to-one support from experienced technical and academic staff.

Teaching and learning

Teaching sessions include workshops, seminars, groups and individual tutorials and lectures. The principal teaching and learning method used is the tutor group, which meets regularly to discuss student work and other course related issues. You will also attend lectures and seminars with students from other creative disciplines and you will develop a rigorous critical and analytical approach to your own work and the work of others. This will foster a culture of collaboration between disciplines.

You will also attend technical workshops for the development of professional skills such as creating and maintaining a strong online presence, personal branding and promotion tactics, costing and invoicing protocols, networking strategies, communication skills, collaborative approaches and presentation techniques.

Assessment

A range of assessment methods are used including assessment by presented project work, essays and research presentations. Students are expected to critique and analyse their own work and relate it to the broader context of photography and related media.

Enrolment and Duration

This is a four-year full time programme. Each academic year usually commences in the first week of October and, in some cases, the last week of September. The academic year runs for a period of 32 weeks. Students may enroll up to two weeks before the course starting date however, early enrolment is advised as places are limited.

Entry Requirements

Due to the creative nature of the course, you will be considered on your own individual merit and potential to succeed. We may make different offers where appropriate to candidates who have a strong portfolio, or substantial relevant work/other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course. In your application, please give full details of any relevant work experience and qualifications.

Candidates must be at least 17 years of age by 1stSeptember of the year they wish to enter onto the course and must hold a Secondary School Diploma or Foundation Certificate/Diploma or equivalent. Candidates will also be required to be proficient in the English Language.

Graduation Requirements

The entire course comprises of a total of 37 modules over 4 years. To achieve the BDes degree, you must complete all modules to achieve the required 240 credits (ECTS*) for successful completion (See ‘Course Structure’).

* European Credit Transfer System

Where Next?

The course is designed to prepare you for work within the creative visual industries. As a successful student, you will have gained a full range of creative, theoretical, social, technological and administrative skills and resources appropriate for employment within the creative and cultural industries. Emphasis is placed on preparation for work­ readiness throughout the programme including modules in exhibition curation and professional practice. Graduate students may progress to professional employment in photography and the creative industries, further study or more broadly into a variety of settings where innovation, confidence, discipline and flair are important. Many of our graduates have moved on to work in advertising, fashion and freelance event photography.