Program Overview

We welcome students with a broad range of interests and open minds. In today’s industry, it is vital you embrace broader practices. Photographers are increasingly employed across genres, from fine art and documentary to fashion and commercial work. This is an outward-looking course designed to maximize your employability or freelance success on graduation.

You will critically consider every aspect of this art form in this course, from composition to the audience and post-production. You will work in industry-standard facilities using sophisticated lighting and camera equipment. Besides learning extensive technical skills, you’ll also benefit from enterprise and business skills including networking, mentoring, and work experience opportunities.

Internationally renowned speakers have wowed past students, including Martin Parr, David Brandon Geeting, Erik Kessels, Ewen Spencer, Haley Morris-Cafiero, Sohrab Hura, Julian Germain, Anouk Kruithof, Cristina De Middel, Guy Martin, Thijs Groot Wassink (WassinkLundgren), Simon Roberts and Kevin Cummins.

We place emphasis on international employability and collaboration, with previous study trips to Paris, Los Angeles, Berlin, Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York, plus day trips within the UK and to the Format International Photography Festival in Derby. Educational visits can take various formats, including physical and virtual experiences.

What You'll Study

Year One – The course begins with a focus on developing your technical photography skills and historical and contemporary perspectives on photography. You will gain knowledge about iconic photographers and image impact while developing practical competencies across all aspects of photography, from lighting to photographic workflow.

Year Two – This is a more conceptual year that builds on your specialist photographic practice and interests. You’ll learn business skills for freelancing or running your own business, and professional guest speakers will relate their own experiences and insights. You will respond to live commercial and community briefs and are encouraged to arrange work experience in the industry.

Year Three – In your final year, you will continue to build an extensive and impressive portfolio of work. Collaborations with students on other creative courses will help you build a diverse breadth of experience and contribute to your end-of-year show. You will develop your professional practices through specific degree modules and be encouraged to seek feedback from the industry on your work. Our impressive sector networks and focus on employability give you a great platform as a skilled photographer starting out in this exciting field.

Work Experience

Work experience covers a broad range of activities and students are encouraged to undertake work placements during their time at the university. As well as guidance from the course team our Careers, Employability, and Enterprise teams offer support that enhances employability skills and underpins engagement with the industry.

Destination Careers

Graduates have gone on to work as freelance photographers, for agencies, in galleries and curating, and in post-production. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study.