Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-09-01 | - |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Oxford Brookes University's online MA in Professional Photography fosters creativity, intellectual rigor, and ethical practice. Through interactive virtual learning, students develop their photographic skills, explore critical theory, and create self-initiated projects. The program prepares graduates for various careers in the media and creative industries, such as photography, cinematography, and digital marketing.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This online MA in Professional Photography at Oxford Brookes University equips students with the confidence and ability to progress their personal professional photographic practice. The program emphasizes creativity, intellectual rigor, and ethical practice. Students will also learn how to establish an online presence within professional fields to support their career aspirations.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Enhance students' knowledge, skills, and critical abilities.
- Support students' individual photographic practices.
- Prepare students for a wide choice of career options in the media and creative industries.
Description:
- This online-only course allows students to pursue projects globally, regionally, or locally, responding to issues they care about while receiving mentorship from industry professionals.
- The program uses interactive features of the virtual learning environment (VLE) and follows the established campus-based MA arts degrees at Oxford Brookes.
Outline:
Course Structure:
- The program is structured into three semesters.
- Semester 1:
- Introduces the Exploratory Photography Project module, focusing on personal projects.
- Introduces the Histories, Theories, and Ethics module, exploring the history of photography and relevant critical theory.
- Semester 2:
- Explores the professional environment of the creative industries related to photography in the Professional Practice module.
- Requires completion of the Research and Context module, leading to the final dissertation.
- Semester 3:
- Focuses on the self-initiated Major Photography Project.
- Students explore multiple outputs, including still and moving-image creation, self-published books, exhibition portfolios, and commissioned portfolios.
Learning and Teaching:
- The program is typically studied over 12 months but offers a part-time option for completion over 24 months.
- Full-time students take five core compulsory modules covering:
- Exploring the Photographic Project
- Professional Practice
- Critical Theory: Histories, Theories, Context and Ethics
- Critical Theory: Final Dissertation
- Final Major Project
- The program concludes with an online exhibition of work and a 6,000-word dissertation.
Assessment:
- Assessments are diverse and cater to different learning styles.
- Assessments may include:
- Individual or group coursework
- Examinations
- Presentations
- Assessment methods are tailored to student learning needs, individual aims, and academic standards.
Teaching:
Teaching Staff:
- Students are taught by working professionals from within the creative industries across the globe.
Teaching Methods:
- The program employs innovative teaching strategies and online platforms to deliver engaging online learning.
- It features a supportive online learning community.
Careers:
- The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the media and creative industries.
- Potential career paths include:
- Professional photographer
- Director of photography
- Cinematographer
- Publisher
- Creative director
- Art director
- Photo editor
- Curator
- Documentary filmmaker
- Post-production
- Content strategist
- Researcher
- Digital marketing and advertising
- Marketing communications
- Social media management
- Web content management
- Teaching and education
- Media research
- Digital strategist
- Brand marketing consultant
Other:
- The course is delivered online, enabling students to study from anywhere in the world.
- The program includes weekly formative feedback from lecturers, fellow students, and mentors.
- The program is career-focused, helping students set their career expectations and explore strategies to achieve them.
- The program highlights the importance of research as a fundamental aspect of contemporary photography in both academic and industry contexts.
Tuition Fees 2024 / 25 Home (UK) distance learning full time £9,150 Home (UK) distance learning part time £4,575 International distance learning full time £17,350 International distance learning part time £8,675 Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year. The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. How and when to pay Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
Oxford Brookes University: A Summary
Overview:
Oxford Brookes University is a public university located in Oxford, England. It is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in areas like business, law, and health sciences. The university boasts a diverse student body and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Services Offered:
Oxford Brookes University provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Accommodation:
On-campus and off-campus housing options are available to students.Support and Wellbeing:
The university offers a variety of support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health resources.Student Life:
Students can participate in a variety of clubs, societies, and sports teams.Library Services:
The university library provides access to a vast collection of books, journals, and online resources.IT Services:
Students have access to computer labs, wireless internet, and other IT support services.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Oxford Brookes University offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience. Students can enjoy:
Oxford City:
The university is located in the historic city of Oxford, which offers a wealth of cultural attractions, museums, and shops.Campus Activities:
Students can participate in a variety of clubs, societies, and sports teams.Brookes Union:
The student union provides a range of services and activities, including social events, volunteering opportunities, and representation for students.Sports:
The university has a strong sports program, with facilities for a variety of sports.Key Reasons to Study There:
Strong Academic Reputation:
Oxford Brookes University is consistently ranked highly in national and international rankings.Diverse Student Body:
The university attracts students from all over the world, creating a diverse and enriching learning environment.Excellent Career Prospects:
The university has a strong track record of preparing graduates for successful careers.Location:
Oxford is a beautiful and historic city, offering a unique and stimulating environment for students.Academic Programs:
Oxford Brookes University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various faculties, including:
Business and Law:
The university is known for its strong programs in business, finance, and law.Health Sciences:
The university offers a variety of programs in nursing, midwifery, and other health-related fields.Arts and Humanities:
The university offers programs in subjects such as English, history, and creative writing.Science and Technology:
The university offers programs in subjects such as engineering, computer science, and environmental science.Entry Requirements:
- Academic Qualifications: Applicants should possess at least an upper second class (2.1) honors degree in a relevant subject or equivalent industry experience.
- Relevant subjects include photography, fine art, graphics, video, film-making, music, media studies, media production, architecture, creative writing, journalism, and media communications.
- Subjects that underpin a specialist area of visual storytelling, including an interest in popular culture, fashion, social, economic and political issues, sports, food, the built environment, music, drama, dance, and contemporary art practice are also acceptable.
- Alternative Qualifications: Applications are considered from candidates with alternative qualifications or significant experience in a relevant field.
- Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL): Applications are considered where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications, in line with the University’s RPEL procedures.
- Portfolio: All applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio of 15 photographic images. The portfolio should consist of photographic stills with an emphasis on personal work and examples of academic or professional written work if available.
- Personal Statement: A personal statement explaining why the applicant wants to study the program and their particular area of interest in photography is required.
- Interview: All applicants must participate in an interview, where their portfolio and statement will be discussed.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Applicants whose home language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English by providing one of the following qualifications:
- British Council IELTS: Level 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component.
- A recognized and approved equivalent qualification.
- Pre-Master's course: The university offers a Pre-Master's course to develop subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level for international students in preparation for a master's course.
- Pre-sessional English language courses: The university offers pre-sessional English language courses to meet the English language requirements for international students.