Course description

With its outstanding reputation for nurturing new talent, this course will help you become a highly creative, technically experienced professional photographer. You’ll develop imaginative approaches to photography which will set you apart within the creative, media and arts industries. You will be encouraged to challenge conventions, break moulds and create your own distinctive identity as a well-informed and highly creative thinker and image maker.

The School of Arts has a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field of photography. Our state of the art facilities are the envy of many experienced professional photographers. We offer a free equipment loan centre for students, full of high-spec analogue and digital equipment. Take a look round our facilities using our virtual tour.

We were one of the first UK institutions to launch a photography degree and boast over half a century of heritage in photographic education. You’ll draw on that proud tradition while working at the cutting edge of technology. You’ll learn from experienced professionals and tutors of the highest calibre, using extensive, darkroom and digital facilities. Live briefs set by external clients, gallery visits, overseas study trips, exhibitions, festivals and competitions will bring an exciting dimension to your studies.

Facilities

All Art and Design, Film, Photography and Music courses are based at our Markeaton Street site where industry-standard, purpose built studios and labs provide a modern and creative space for our students.

Markeaton Street encompasses Chandos Pole Street which is home to our Fashion and Textiles courses and Britannia Mill is home to Fine Art, Illustration and Interior Design studio spaces. Our Theatre students learn from professionals at the professional producing and learning Derby Theatre in the heart of Derby city centre.

Markeaton Street is a 15 minute walk from Kedleston Road, and is serviced by regular site shuttle buses.

Whilst studying this course, you will have access to Sounsnap to access music and sound effects.

Studying Photography at Derby

This course will take you on a creative journey exploring what photography has been, what it is now and what it can be in the very widest sense.

The programme will support, encourage and challenge you to expand upon the conventions of photography and develop the confidence, ambitions, skills and abilities to produce work and forge your own identity as a maker and thinker of images for the future.

The programme blends creative and experimental approaches to photographic image making across the widest range of media with high level skills in research, critical thinking, communication, methods of presentation, exhibition and dissemination, and skills in digital technologies that will prove essential in life beyond your degree. There are no boundaries to what photography can be. You will be encouraged to explore and exceed the limits of photography throughout the creative journey of your degree.

We will foster your passion, support your aims and guide your ambitions to equip you with the skills, knowledge, awareness and experiences required to become a sought-after professional, enabling you to forge a bright future in the creative sector and beyond.

Throughout your studies you will engage with and explore a wide range of traditional analogue and contemporary digital media. You will be introduced to time based and moving image media and be able to explore installation, sculptural and performance approaches, and the hybridisation of photography by combining media to blend and create new forms and uses of image making.

This degree finishes with a professional final exhibition at our Degree Show, where you'll have the opportunity to make vital industry contacts at the Private View evening. You could also continue your studies by taking our MA Arts course. Please note, minimum entry criteria includes everything in an application, including a strong personal statement, a good reference and where asked for, a portfolio.

Students will have the opportunity to apply to exhibit their work for Format International Photography Festival, the UK's leading international contemporary festival of photography and related media.

Degree Show work

Take a look at BA (Hons) Photography brochure for the Degree Show 2019, BA (Hons) Photography In the Making catalogue 2019, and take a look at BA (Hons) Photography graduate Danielle Shambley's 2018 final project, 'Eructate: The 90th Year'.

How you will learn

This course involves an inspirational combination of learning and teaching methods. Technical workshops will develop the full range of photographic skills, including black and white, colour, digital, CGI and 3D. There are also lectures to introduce new concepts and knowledge; seminars to enable group discussions; critiques for constructive feedback; small group tutorials to encourage the development of ideas; individual tutorials to monitor your progress and clarify your artistic direction; group research activities to encourage team working; and individual presentations to help you develop communication skills.  

Your learning will be supported by a programme of guest lectures, contact with our high-profile visiting professors, regular gallery visits, and the chance to take part in prestigious competitions and festivals. These include the acclaimed FORMAT International Photography Festival which is hosted and organised jointly by the University and QUAD. You will also have the opportunity to work on the FORMAT International Conference, organised by the academic staff on the programme.

You’ll also benefit from our partnerships with various leading professional organisations and employers. These pave the way for you to go on study visits, gain work experience, and contribute to live briefs. We have links with the FORMAT, Association of Photographers, GRAIN Photography Hub, Derby Museum and Art Galleries, Magnum Photos, MAC Birmingham, ESMAD Porto, The Art Institute of Las Vegas, to name but a few.

The course culminates in a professional final exhibition at our annual Degree Show, where you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your final work to a public audience.  

Assessment is by 100% coursework: your submissions of photographic work will be supported by an artist’s statement and opportunities to discuss the progression of your projects.

Facilities 

Recent years have seen significant developments in the imaging sector, thanks to the growth and speed of digital technologies. At Derby, you’ll be equipped to harness both new and existing technologies in our high-specification facilities.

You’ll hone your skills in an excellent learning environment featuring extensive photographic studios, black and white and colour darkrooms, film processing facilities, dedicated digital suites, and Mac suites offering industry-standard software.

We also have a bureau for professional printing of high-quality colour-accurate images and a well-stocked equipment centre from which you can loan an array of specialist resources.