MA Documentary Photography
The University is world-renowned for the study of Documentary Photography and our alumni are extremely well regarded within the photographic community, winning awards, exhibitions and book publishing deals. With a focus on real-world engagement with social and political issues, this distinctive MA offers an exploratory and lively engagement with the subject. It is characterized by an expansive understanding of photography, encompassing networked imagery, data, archival material, audio and moving image.
You will predominantly study online with the option of having a more flexible and blended approach that includes access to facilities at the University of South Wales. There will be optional workshops and masterclasses both on campus in Wales and internationally. Peer to peer learning and networking will form an important component of the course.
You will be taught by experts in the field of photography and engage with international visiting speakers and our cohort of scholars undertaking PhDs in photography as part of our European Centre for Documentary Research (ECDR).
The aim is to develop a strong, expansive and sustainable documentary practice that unites rigorous critical thinking with a body of work that you can confidently exhibit and publish. The MA will provide a strong foundation for developing a career as an independent documentary practitioner within the photographic industry.
This course places an emphasis on the philosophical and theoretical implications of photography, as we believe it is important to help contextualize practice and enable clear communication to a variety of audiences.
USW's documentary photography masters is particularly popular among those wishing to pursue a career in documentary production and research, photographic exhibition, publishing, teaching or journalism.
Recent graduates have regularly exhibited their work and several now teach in higher education. A number are also undertaking PhD study.
The documentary photography course has an eminent list of alumni now working within the photographic industry, including freelance photographers and those who have set up their own businesses.
Graduates can also progress to a PhD or research degree.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications and experience
Normally an Honours degree in a related subject is required. However, if you have solid professional industry experience rather than academic achievement, this may be acceptable for entry to study at this level through a process called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
Portfolio requirements
Please provide evidence of a website or any other form of digital portfolio within your application. We are looking for an engagement with documentary photography or photojournalism with a particular focus on series of images rather than individual photographs. The portfolio should evidence your interests in documentary photography or photojournalism and demonstrate your desire to study Documentary Photography at Masters level at The University of South Wales.
English language requirements
The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details.
For students not at this level, a range of intensive English courses recognized by UKBA are available at the university. These must be completed prior to entry on the award.
More information on our intensive English courses.
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