Program Overview

Photography (Top-up) - BA (Hons)

The Photography (Top-up) - BA (Hons) course is a top-up version of the Photography BA (Hons) degree. It is designed for those who have a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma, or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject. This course enables students to develop their individual creative practice and portfolio, learning the transferable skills needed for a career as a professional photographer or in an associated profession.

Why Study This Course?

This course is accredited by the Association of Photographers (AOP) and was awarded Photography Course of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The film and photography courses at London Met are ranked second in the UK overall, according to the Guardian University Guide 2026. Students have access to industry-standard analogue black & white and color darkroom facilities and high-end studio, lighting, and digital provision.

Course Details

• Course Type: Undergraduate
• Typical Duration: Variable, depending on entry point and mode of study
• Location: Holloway
• UCAS Code: W643
• Entry Requirements:
  • 240 credits from a Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree (FdA/FdSc), or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject
  • 240 credits from years 1 and 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc) in a relevant subject at a different institution
  • A portfolio interview
• Assessment: There are no exams on this course. Instead, students are assessed through practical and written coursework at the end of each year and throughout the course.

Course Modules

The modules listed are for the academic year 2025/26 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details are subject to change over time.

• Critical and Contextual Studies: Dissertation (Photography and Fashion Photography) (core, 30 credits)
• Looking and Making 3 (core, 30 credits)
• Major Project (core, 30 credits)
• Professional Practice 2: Photography (core, 30 credits)

Critical and Contextual Studies: Dissertation (Photography and Fashion Photography)

This module offers students an opportunity to develop a sustained enquiry into a topic of their choice. It encourages the development of an awareness of issues around which there is some debate, uncertainty, or contest. Based on this awareness, students develop a set of research questions that constitute the topic of their study.

Looking and Making 3

This module consists of seminars, talks, visits, and workshops. Students build on the critical and thematic basis for their personal creative, critical, and contextual practice explored and expanded at Level 5. It requires students to both build and consolidate a contextual and creative framework for their practice as well as critically evaluating their wider research and creative interests.

Major Project

Focusing on the students' photographic and creative practice, this module provides an opportunity for students to create a substantial final major body of work based on their individual creative identity and aligning to their aspirations for their future careers within the creative sector.

Professional Practice 2: Photography

This module serves and sustains the award in the BA Photography course, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules being studied in the level. Students are expected to synthesize and consolidate the experience and knowledge gained over the course, contextualizing their own practice within photographic frameworks.

Where This Course Can Take You

The Photography BA (Top-up) course opens up a number of job roles in the photography and creative industries, enabling students to pursue a career in magazines or newspapers, editorial or freelance photography, archive work, photo libraries, education, or local or national arts organizations.

Additional Costs

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee, there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips, or professional body fees. Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of the course and not required to complete the course, but which students may find helpful. The costs of these are additional to the tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.