Program Overview

Photography BA (Hons)

Course Description

This course will take you on a creative journey exploring what photography has been, what it is now and what it can be in the very widest sense.

The programme will support, encourage and challenge you to expand upon the conventions of photography and develop the confidence, ambitions, skills and abilities to produce work and forge your own identity as a maker and thinker of images for the future.

The programme blends creative and experimental approaches to photographic image making across the widest range of media with high level skills in research, critical thinking, communication, methods of presentation, exhibition and dissemination, and skills in digital technologies that will prove essential in life beyond your degree. There are no boundaries to what photography can be. You will be encouraged to explore and exceed the limits of photography throughout the creative journey of your degree.

We will foster your passion, support your aims and guide your ambitions to equip you with the skills, knowledge, awareness and experiences required to become a sought-after professional, enabling you to forge a bright future in the creative sector and beyond.

Study Options

• Full-time: 3 Years
• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
• UCAS points: 104 (September 2025 entry)
• UCAS code: W650
• Start date: September
• Location: Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course Structure

Year 1

• Exploring Analogue Photography
• Exploring Digital Photography
• Histories of Photography
• Theories of Photography

Year 2

• Core modules (not specified)

Year 3

• Core modules (not specified)

Facilities

• Excellent learning environment featuring extensive photographic studios, black and white and colour darkrooms, film processing facilities, dedicated digital suites, and Mac suites offering industry-standard software.
• Bureau for professional printing of high-quality colour-accurate images.
• Well-stocked equipment centre from which you can loan an array of specialist resources.

Who Will Teach You

• Dr Gemma Marmalade, Programme Leader

Careers

• The course places an emphasis on critical thinking, research, writing and oral communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Our graduates have gone on to become artists, academics, teachers, curators, critics, professional photographers, editorial photographers, picture editors.

Entry Requirements

• UCAS points: 104
• A Level: BCC
• T Level: Merit
• BTEC: DMM
• GCSE: Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
• Additional costs and optional extras:
  • Provision of photographic film and paper for inductions for stage 1 modules
  • Access to talks and presentations by industry speakers
  • Access to specialist equipment, facilities and technical support
  • Access to specialist digital facilities with a wide range of up to date software
  • Participation in FORMAT International Photography Festival
  • Participation in the Degree Show for stage 3
  • Access to excellent learning resources, libraries and specialist laboratories and studios
  • The programme uses Adobe Creative Suite which is installed on all Macs in MS102 and MS012 at Markeaton Street and students are provided with an individual Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for home use
  • To support their professional and skills development, students are provided with a subscription to LinkedIn Learning which offers over 13,000 courses and tutorials, including professional accreditations, in a wide range of creative, business & technology disciplines

How to Apply

• UK students: Apply through UCAS or directly to the University.
• International students: Apply through the online application portal or contact one of our trusted local representatives.

Additional Information

• Teaching hours: Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm.
• Course updates: The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible.