BA (Hons) Photography

Kickstart your photography career on this immersive three-year course. With two-thirds of your time dedicated to hands-on experiences, you'll develop creative and technical skills in both contemporary and traditional photography. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of production outcomes for print and web platforms through various techniques.

Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Photography degree offers the opportunity to explore your creativity and photographic practice, encouraging you to experiment across genres such as studio portraiture, documentary, editorial, commercial, and landscape photography. Whether you're capturing compelling narratives or crafting striking visual compositions, you'll build a strong creative identity, and a versatile skill set that reflects the demands of today’s photography industry.

Studying at our specialist arts campus, you’ll be immersed in a supportive creative community and spend two thirds of your time developing hands-on skills in both digital and analogue photography. With expert guidance, you’ll explore image-making techniques, visual storytelling, and the professional workflows needed to produce work for both print and digital platforms.

We operate an open-door policy and will be on hand to help you hone your work whenever you need us. Our experienced tutors bring real-world insights from current industry practice, helping you stay ahead of trends and technologies. Regular guest lectures, workshops, and industry-led projects provide valuable exposure to professional perspectives. You'll also have the chance to take part in inspirational field trips, collaborative projects, and public exhibitions—preparing you for a successful career in the fast-evolving creative industries.

On this course you will...

• Develop your photographic and editing skills while experimenting during workshops and outdoor activities.
• Work with students across the creative arts, collaborating on projects and exploring new mediums.
• Be taught by industry experts with experience working freelance and within creative organisations.
• Have the opportunity to exhibit your work publicly alongside the work of classmates across the arts.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Brampton Road
• Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
• UCAS Code: W641
• Delivery Style: In-Person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 3 Years
• Study Options: Integrated Foundation Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)

Minimum entry requirements

• 104-112 UCAS Tariff points
• A-levels: BCC-BBC
• T-levels: P (C+) – M. All subjects are accepted for entry to this course
• Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM
• Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA
• Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2

Tuition fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)
• £9,250 - UK (2024-2025)
• £13,575 - International (2024-2025)

Course Structure

What you will learn

Photography is a fantastically versatile discipline and as such offers many routes into employment within the creative industries.

At the University of Cumbria, we have designed a programme that allows you to experiment with techniques, develop your practical skills, study through critical thinking and enquiry.

Informed by the clear integration of practice and theory, and by an expectation of your intellectual engagement in Photography practice, you will develop transferable skills.

Year one

In your first year, you will focus on The Photographic Environment which deals with the cornerstone craft of photographic image capture, both analogue and digital, in application to and investigation of, your photographic interests.

Research and contextual skills will be established at this level as we introduce the work of significant photographers and explore how influences and themes can be tracked through history, thereby setting the stage for the development of your own work.

• Photographic Image Capture: An introduction to technical skills in digital & analogue photographic contexts.
• Cultural Contexts: An introduction to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be considered
• Picturing Place: Culture & Identity: Explore the idea of place; different environments, cultures and identities informed by locale.
• Collaborative Practice: Develop your ability to collaborate in professional scenarios through problem-solving and project-based learning.

Year two

In your second year, you will explore the Relevant Photograph. This attends to socially engaged practice. Working with the local community and culture with input from industry professionals you will learn to apply your craft to a greater purpose. You will also develop your contextual explorations into photographic theory, critical thinking, and analysis.

We have developed an enrichment module in year two where you can experience and practice traditional techniques and cutting-edge technologies.

Creating the space for experiment and play is enormously valuable in promoting creativity, problem-solving skills, risk-taking, and imagination. The module is intended to expand your practice skills midway through your degree enabling you to explore your own potential and readying you for a more focused journey through your final year and employment beyond that.

• Networks & Narratives: Photography in the Community: Explore contemporary themes in photography.
• Immersive Image-Making: Enrich your personal photographic practice by experimenting with both traditional and cutting-edge technologies.
• The Photographic Interface: Industry Experience: An opportunity to explore your practice through a range of briefs set by industry professionals.
• Theorising Photography: Develop the skills to think critically and generate original ideas informed by examples of influential scholarship.

Year three

Your final year will revolve around an Independent Showcase where you will take full charge of your own practice and bring it into the public domain.

Research, practice and professional skills come together in the final year of study to refine and showcase your personal vision and expression of photographic practice. At this point, you will be an independent, intelligent and competent practitioner with a personal portfolio representing the breadth of your skill and the depth of your engagement.

• Blueprint of Practice: Refine your autonomous photographic practice through the synthesis of research and creativity.
• Independent Research Paper: Develop specialised and focused knowledge and understanding of a subject of your own choice.
• Resolution of Practice: Carry out a self-designed, in-depth, and investigative personal project.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Throughout the course, you will learn through a variety of approaches to ensure the development of skills, concepts, and knowledge. In this time you will develop both social and independent learning techniques through:

• Lectures and seminars: in-person sessions that allow you to explore photographic theory, develop your contextual understanding, and engage in group discussions.
• Tutorials: 1:1 or small group sessions with tutors where you discuss progress, assessment plans, and gain feedback on your work.
• Practical Workshop Sessions: Here, you will develop specialist technical skills and knowledge through demonstrations and practice using our high-quality equipment.
• Problem-based Learning: a key element of your learning, you will learn problem-solving skills by negotiating situational demands, working to a brief, and communicating with your audience.
• Group work
• Independent Learning
• Briefs: develop your photographic knowledge and expertise to inform your professional portfolio.

How you will be assessed

A range of graded and non-graded assessments will take place throughout the course. Our programme is designed to encourage inquiry, curiosity, and the exploration of personal interests, allowing you to tailor briefs as you become more confident in your practice. Work and learning outcomes are in tune with industry demands, preparing you for professional practice through portfolios, exhibitions, photo books, and mock interviews.

You’ll be continuously involved in the assessment of your own work and that of your peers; developing critical interpersonal and team-working skills. Examples of the assessment types you will tackle include: Class critiques, written essays, peer review, portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and exhibitions.

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Degree Overview:

This degree program focuses on contemporary photography, providing practical and theoretical knowledge to prepare students for careers in the cultural and creative photography industries. The course aims to develop students' photographic vision, storytelling abilities, and technical skills across various genres, including studio portraiture, social documentary, and landscape photography. It emphasizes hands-on learning, industry connections, and the exploration of individual artistic styles.

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Outline:

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Year One:

• Photographic Image Capture: Introduces technical skills in digital and analog photographic contexts.
• Cultural Contexts: Explores the cultural, historical, and social contexts surrounding creative work, including photography.
• Picturing Place: Culture & Identity: Examines the concept of place, different environments, cultures, and identities influenced by location.
• Collaborative Practice: Develops collaboration skills in professional scenarios through problem-solving and project-based learning.

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Year Two:

• Networks & Narratives: Photography in the Community: Explores contemporary themes in photography within a community setting.
• Immersive Image-Making: Enhances personal photographic practice through experimentation with traditional and cutting-edge technologies.
• The Photographic Interface: Industry Experience: Provides opportunities to apply practice through briefs set by industry professionals.
• Theorising Photography: Develops critical thinking and idea generation skills informed by influential scholarship in photography.

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Year Three:

• Blueprint of Practice: Refines autonomous photographic practice by integrating research and creativity.
• Independent Research Paper: Develops specialized knowledge and understanding of a chosen subject area.
• Resolution of Practice: Culminates in a self-designed, in-depth personal project showcasing individual vision and photographic practice.

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Assessment:

The assessment methods include a variety of graded and non-graded assessments, encouraging inquiry, curiosity, and the exploration of personal interests. Students are encouraged to tailor briefs as their practice develops. Assessment aligns with industry demands, preparing students for professional practice through portfolios, exhibitions, photo books, and mock interviews. Assessment methods include:

• Class critiques
• Written essays
• Peer review
• Portfolio reviews
• Mock interviews
• Exhibitions

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Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures and seminars: To explore photographic theory, develop contextual understanding, and engage in group discussions.
• Tutorials: 1:1 or small group sessions with tutors to discuss progress, assessment plans, and receive feedback on work.
• Practical workshop sessions: To develop specialist technical skills and knowledge through demonstrations and practice using high-quality equipment.
• Problem-based learning: A key element of learning, students develop problem-solving skills by negotiating situational demands, working to a brief, and communicating with their audience.
• Group work
• Independent learning
• Briefs: To develop photographic knowledge and expertise to inform professional portfolios.
Faculty includes experienced industry experts who work freelance and within creative organizations. They have current industry links and keep students up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends. The program also features visiting speakers and field trips to inspire and challenge students.

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Careers:

The program prepares students for a variety of careers in the cultural and creative photography industries. Potential career paths include:

• Photographer
• Photojournalist
• Documentary photographer
• Studio photographer
• Commercial photographer
• Fine art photographer
• Teacher
• Researcher

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Other:

• The program is located on the University of Cumbria's dedicated arts campus.
• The course includes an open-door policy, providing students with ongoing support and guidance.
• Students have access to a darkroom with a color processor, three shooting studios, and a digital darkroom, all supported by a dedicated photography technician.
• Students have opportunities to exhibit their work publicly alongside the work of classmates across the arts.
• The program encourages collaboration with students across the creative arts, fostering cross-disciplinary projects and explorations.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• Tuition Fees
2024 - 2025 £9,250 - UK £13,575 - International
• The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
• 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.

University of Cumbria

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Overview:

University of Cumbria is a public university located in the northwest of England. It is known for its focus on practical learning and its commitment to supporting local communities. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including health, education, arts, science, and business.

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Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Access to academic staff, student finance advice, and accommodation services.

Student Life:

A vibrant campus experience with facilities, student support, and opportunities for extracurricular activities.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students, including visa guidance, fees and finance information, and cultural integration support.

Research:

Opportunities for postgraduate study and engagement in research projects across various fields.

Business & Employer Services:

Support for businesses and employers, including CPD training, apprenticeship programs, and recruitment services.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

University of Cumbria offers a diverse campus experience with multiple locations across Cumbria and London. Students can expect:

Beautiful Campuses:

Campuses located in scenic areas, including the Lake District and historic Carlisle.

Community Focus:

A strong sense of community with opportunities to engage in local initiatives and events.

Facilities:

Access to modern facilities, including libraries, labs, studios, and sports centers.

Student Support:

A dedicated student support team providing guidance and assistance with academic, personal, and financial matters.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Practical Learning:

Emphasis on practical skills development and real-world experience through placements and internships.

Strong Industry Links:

Close partnerships with local businesses and organizations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities.

Focus on Employability:

High graduate employment rates, with a strong focus on preparing students for successful careers.

Unique Locations:

Campuses located in inspiring and diverse settings, offering a unique learning experience.

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Academic Programs:

University of Cumbria offers a wide range of academic programs, with strengths in the following areas:

Health:

Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Radiography, and Health and Social Care.

Education:

Teacher Training, Early Years Education, and Special Educational Needs.

Arts:

Film, Theatre, Photography, Fine Art, and Creative and Media Arts.

Science and Environment:

Wildlife Conservation, Forestry, Outdoor Education, and Environmental Science.

Business and Leadership:

Business Management, Tourism, Law, Forensics, and Policing.

Sport and Rehabilitation:

Sports Science, Sports Coaching, and Rehabilitation.

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Other:

The university is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and has received various accreditations for its commitment to these values. It also actively participates in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and has a strong focus on knowledge exchange and impact.