Program Overview

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Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)

Course Overview

Join a passionate group of environmentalists who believe that images can change the world. On this Marine & Natural History Photography course, you'll become a skilled communicator, exploring important and powerful ecological and conservation issues and bring them to life with your camera.

Combining the rigour of research with the creativity of storytelling, you’ll expose some of the biggest challenges that face people and planet, while celebrating the beauty of nature.

Based in some of the most outstanding landscapes in the UK, you’ll be taught by award-winning and industry-connected photographers, expert filmmakers, explorers and scientists, gaining career-boosting insights and opportunities during your studies.

While developing technical proficiency, we also encourage students to think critically, to ask questions and to challenge patterns of thought and behaviour to make a difference.

Why Study This Course at Falmouth?

• Cornwall’s diverse marine and land environments will be your studio – you can get from campus to coast or moorland in a matter of minutes
• Rivalling professional studios, our photography facilities and stores are stacked with high-spec digital and analogue equipment and are some of the best of any UK university
• You'll gain insider insights and professional connections through masterclasses, guest speakers, field trips and live briefs
• We encourage adventure – former students have travelled to the Ecuadorian rainforest, Indonesian coral reefs, and Norwegian glaciers on self-funded trips to produce their Major Projects
• You’ll become part of our close-knit, globe-trotting alumni that have picked up huge commissions (BBC, Netflix) and awards for their work
• As part of our supportive creative community, you’ll start building your professional network from day one of your degree

Course Details

On this course, you'll develop a passionate understanding of earth’s habitats and fragile ecosystems while mastering the technical film and photographic skills to create images that inspire, move and educate audiences.

As well as developing an industry-ready portfolio of original work, you’ll graduate with the professional skills to turn your creative practice into a rewarding career.

Course Study Options & Full Details

You can gain your Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons) degree in three years or choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year and/or professional placement year. Discover the full course details for each study option, below.

What Our Students Do

Hear from students on the course here, and explore a full showcase of recent work below.

Year One

You'll practice photographic skills alongside research and critical thinking. During this year, you'll explore biodiversity and habitat, as well as the marine environment, and will participate in a number of local field trips to land and marine locations.

Modules

• Developing Practice
• Research and Critical Thinking
• Biodiversity and Habitat
• Exploring Practice: Land or Underwater
• Communicating Nature
• The Marine Environment

Year Two

Alongside studying moving image and still photography, you'll develop your research and critical thinking skills, explore global conservation, and get ready for your own research project. You will also get the opportunity to undertake a short period of work experience.

Modules

• Extending Practice: Land or Underwater
• Introduction to Filmmaking
• Conservation Stories
• Photography of the Natural World
• Independent Filmmaking Practice
• Work Experience

Professional Placement (Optional)

You can choose to take an optional professional placement after your second year on a three-year programme, or after your third year if you’re studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year.

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the Employability team.

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying.

How You’ll Study During Your Professional Placement

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks.

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation.

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth.

Year Three

In the final year of the course, you’ll create your Major Project using still or moving images, or a combination of both. You will support this with an extensive piece of writing about the subject of your project, along with a career plan to help you move into your chosen area of the industry.

Modules

• Project Development
• Culture and the Environment
• Major Project
• Professional and Entrepreneurial Practice

Integrated Foundation Year (Optional)

Why Study an Integrated Foundation Year Route?

If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BA(Hons) degree.

What You'll Study in Your Foundation Year

If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.

Modules

• Explore
• Technique
• Apply
• Industry
• Launch

How You'll Learn & Be Assessed

How You'll Learn

You’ll learn through field trips, photographic and scientific excursions, technical workshops, lectures, seminar, and tutorials.

The Marine and Natural History Photography course includes an optional underwater programme. In addition to diving in Cornish waters, those undertake this option have the opportunity to practice their skills in the Red Sea.

In the final year of the course students pursue an independent major project. This can use either stills or moving image, or a combination of both, to tell stories from anywhere on the planet.

Students have previously created projects that have documented climate change in Norwegian glaciers, conducted research in the Ecuadorian rainforest, filmed conservation work in the Amazon, and told the story of the indigenous fishing community of the Bajo.

At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.

How You'll Be Assessed

100% of your assessment will be coursework.

Assessment Methods

• Foundation year assessments are 100% coursework based
• Practice-based modules will be assessed on the presentation of portfolios, including preparatory work.
• Critical studies modules will be assessed on written assignments or presentations.
• In the final year, you’ll be assessed on your major independent project which is supported by an extended piece of contextual writing and a professional portfolio.
• Feedback is given throughout the modules to help you improve your work.

Facilities

• Multiple studios, darkrooms and print suites
• Photography store containing a wide range of professional equipment free to loan.
• Macro and long lenses, macro flash, infrared triggers and time-lapse and underwater cameras
• Specialist underwater cameras for students qualified to dive
• Digital suite with Adobe software
• Photo-microscopy laboratory
• Digital and traditional processing facilities
• Walled garden with fully equipped hide for nature study, photography and filming

Staff

You’ll be guided and supported by practising photographers, scientists and explorers. Their careers span from leading expeditions to working and exhibiting photographs internationally.

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Careers

Our Marine & Natural History Photography graduates have worked as:

• Filming for BBC One Show
• Online content for BBC Spring Watch
• International Oil Spill Reaction Team
• PA to Mike Gunton (BBC NHU Creative Director)
• Founder of the Heart of Borneo Project
• Wildlife Cameraman for BBC, Netflix, Nat Geo, Disney
• Researcher BBC NHU
• Tech Assistant at Silverback Films
• Researcher at Nature Picture Library
• Marketing Campaign Executive at National Trust
• Founder of Armstrong Fortescue Expeditions
• Filming Sir David Attenborough

A degree in photography opens doors to a broad range of industries such as fashion, advertising, graphic design, web design, architecture, film and publishing.

How to Apply

You can apply for our undergraduate degrees via UCAS. You'll need our university UCAS code (F33) as well as your course code (which you'll find on your course page) for your application.

Deadlines

For starting your studies in 2025

UK applications: 29 January 2025 (for equal consideration)

Applications after the 29 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.

Course routes & entry requirements

BA/BSc(Hons) three year degree: 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with professional placement: 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with Integrated Foundation Year: 80 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

Check the title of your course to see if it's a BA or BSc award. UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

Language requirements

For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.

Fees, Costs & Funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for students starting the course in September 2025

Annual tuition fee | Student ---|--- Annual tuition fee£9,535 per year | StudentFull-time UK Annual tuition fee£17,950 per year | StudentFull-time EU/international Annual tuition fee£1,905 per professional placement year | StudentFull-time UK and EU/international Annual tuition fee£9,535 per Integrated Foundation Year | StudentFull-time UK Annual tuition fee£17,950 per Integrated Foundation Year | StudentFull-time EU/international

Tuition fees for students starting the course in September 2024

Annual tuition fee | Student ---|--- Annual tuition fee£9,250 per year | StudentFull-time UK Annual tuition fee£17,950 per year | StudentFull-time EU/international Annual tuition fee£1,850 per professional placement year | StudentFull-time UK and EU/international Annual tuition fee£9,250 per Integrated Foundation Year | StudentFull-time UK Annual tuition fee£17,950 per Integrated Foundation Year | StudentFull-time EU/international

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Typical Course Costs

Recurring annual costs

• £100-£350 - Recurring annual costs (photographic materials, etc)

One-off costs for the duration of the course

If not already owned the following will be required:

• £500-£1000 - A digital SLR camera of reasonable quality with manual over-ride to any automatic settings
• £500- for a PC laptop or £1,200 for a MacBook
• £300-£400 - Appropriate outdoor clothing (waterproofs, boots, backpack)
• £100-£600 – Preparation of final portfolios or shows, etc)

Optional study trips

• £2000 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration

Optional Diving Modules

• For the two optional diving modules, there will be an additional fee of approximately £350 per occurrence.

If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

Additional typical course costs for Integrated Foundation Year pathway

• £250 for materials
• A laptop/desktop computer
• Adobe Creative Suite

To engage in the digital learning activity, although you will be able to access IT suites on campus, you will benefit from a laptop to access the platforms and tools we use. Depending on your subject, you may need a specific type of computer. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.

Funding

For information about funding available, please visit our student funding pages.