Program Overview

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Photography

BA (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - single honours

Overview

Engage with photography in an experimental, creative and critical environment.

Course Structure

• Year one: You’ll look at fundamental photographic principles and practice, and develop an awareness of photographic practice within the creative industries.
• Year two: You’ll develop detailed knowledge of major theories relating to photographic practice, and a deeper awareness of social and ethical implications for the photographic industry.
• Year three: You’ll become more confident in identifying and defining complex visual solutions and have the freedom to define your own area of practice.

Study Options

• Integrated Foundation Year (UCAS code: WPQ5): The preliminary and intensive Integrated Foundation in Art and Design is designed to develop your ideas, skills and confidence in readiness for progressing to year one of your degree programme.
• Professional Placement Year (UCAS code: WPQ4): This year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months.

What You'll Learn

• Year one (Level 4) modules:
  • Photographic Practice 1: The Photographic Image
  • Photographic Practice 2: Identity and the Camera
  • Photographic Practice 3: Image and Context
  • Photographic Practice 4: Perception of Place
  • Professional Contexts 1
  • How Did We Get Here?: Contexts of Photography
• Year two (Level 5) modules:
  • Photographic Practice 5: Narrative: Fact
  • Photographic Practice 6: Narrative: Fiction
  • Photographic Practice 7: Object, Figure, Space
  • Professional Contexts 2
  • We Are Here: Photography in the 21st Century
  • Professional Placement Year
• Year three (Level 6) modules:
  • Individual Practice: Portfolio 1
  • Individual Practice: Portfolio 2
  • Individual Practice: Major Project
  • Professional Contexts 3
  • Situating Practice: Final Project

Opportunities

• Study abroad: As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.
• Fieldwork: From year one to three, you’ll have opportunities to participate in local and international fieldwork opportunities across the BA (Hons) Photography modules.
• Work placements, industry links and internships: The course works closely with a variety of industry partners and associations such as the Royal Photographic Society and Fox Talbot Museum.

Facilities and Resources

• Where the subject is taught: As a BA Photography student you’ll benefit from access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:
  • Our student service point at Locksbrook where you can purchase subsidised art and design materials, hire out equipment for free and collect Library resources
  • Access to our well-stocked Library at Newton Park
  • Specialist technical workshops across all of art and design
  • Access to studio space where you can work on projects and refine your practice.
• Resources: BA (Hons) Photography students can hire out equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service.

Locksbrook Campus

Locksbrook Campus is a Grade II listed building designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in 1976. It has now been transformed into an innovative, open plan space, redesigned to meet 21st century environmental standards, with technical workshops surrounded by flexible studio spaces and large social areas.

Fees

• 2025 entry:
  • UK full time: £9,535
  • UK part time: £4,768
  • International full time: £18,380
• Professional Placement Year: During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee.
  • UK: £1,905
  • International: £3,676

Additional Course Costs

You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits.

Funding Opportunities

Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.

Entry Requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

• A Level - grades BBB-BCC preferred including a Grade B in Photography or related subject.
• BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject, or evidence of experience in Art or Photography.
• T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
• International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required in addition to a HL Photography/Art subject at grade 5.
• Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher) together with evidence of experience in Photography.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course Enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at .

Interview and Portfolio Guidance

Applicants will be invited by email to interview and will be required to bring a high quality portfolio in support of their application. Portfolios should demonstrate your passion and motivation. We recommend that you present an edited selection of your most successful photographic work at interview. Print presentation is recommended and should be accompanied by evidence of your research and working methods, for example, process journals and research folders.

Get Ahead

We recommend that applicants undertake a pre-degree foundation diploma in Art and Design in addition to the above qualifications but will consider applications without this.

Contact Us

Admissions:

• +44 (0)

Course leader: Stephen Vaughan Email:

Related Courses

• Fashion Photography
• Fine Art
• Media Communications
• Film and Screen Studies

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons) Photography
• School/s: Bath School of Art, Film and Media
• Campus or location: Locksbrook Campus and Newton Park
• Course length: Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
• UCAS codes: Institution Code: B20, Course Code: WPQ3; or WPQ4; or WPQ5, Campus Code: A,BSU