Program Overview

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Photography (TU976)

Course Title

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Photography

TU Code

TU976

CAO Point Range 2024

304−455

NFQ Level

Level 8

Award Type

Major

Award

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

ECTS Credits

240

Duration

4 years

Number of Places

24

Location

Grangegorman

Fees

EU Fees Non-EU Fees

What is... Photography?

The arrival of affordable digital cameras has stimulated widespread interest in photography, presenting the professional photographer with both new opportunities and challenges.

This course will prepare you for a career in professional photographic media practice, as well as the broader visual arts sector. It will equip you with key skills, while encouraging you to reflect on your actions and practices.

There are three main strands: Critical Studies (Visual Studies, History, Theory and Criticism); Photographic Practice, and Professional Studies (Study Skills, Law, and Business). The Critical Studies will develop your understanding of the context of media and visual arts production, while fostering intellectual enquiry into the nature of society and culture. The practice modules are underpinned by theoretical study of photographic technologies and images in the social and institutional context in which the photographer operates.

The wide variety of career opportunities include commercial and industrial photography (ranging from medical to fashion), photography as visual arts practice, multimedia, print and electronic media, photojournalism and editorial work. Others pursue careers in education and postgraduate research.

Work Placement

There is a work placement element to this course.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Requirements

• Minimum Number of Subjects: 6
• Minimum Grade in Maths: N/A
• Minimum Grade in English OR Irish: N/A

QQI/FET Requirements

• QQI/FET Award Required: Any full Level 5 or 6 award
• Additional Requirements: DISTINCTION(S) REQUIRED: 5 DISTINCTIONS

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Sample Timetable

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

What are my career opportunities?

• Advertising/Editorial Photographer
• Commercial Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Fine Art Photographer
• Food Photographer
• Forensic Photographer
• Freelance Photographer
• Industrial Photographer
• Medical Illustrator/Clinical Photographer
• Picture Researcher/Editor
• Portrait Photographer
• Press Photographer
• Wedding and Event Photographer

Module Listing

Year One

• Introduction to Academic Writing [Mandatory]
• Introduction To Digital Technology [Mandatory]
• Photography Practice 1: Making Images [Mandatory]
• Visual Studies 2 [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Visual Studies 1 [Mandatory]
• Introduction to Media Theory [Mandatory]
• Photography Practice 2: Designing Images [Mandatory]
• Photography Practice 3: The Magazine [Mandatory]

Year Three

• Histories of Photography [Mandatory]
• Photography, Theory and Criticism 1 [Mandatory]
• Digital media technologies [Mandatory]
• Photography Practice 6: Contemporary Documentary Photography [Mandatory]
• Photography Practice 4: Narrative Photography [Mandatory]
• Photographic Practice 5: Compositing Techniques & Contexts [Mandatory]
• Editorial Photography [Mandatory]

Year Four

• Photography, Theory and Criticism 3 [Mandatory]
• Law for Photographers [Mandatory]
• Archiving in Context: Internship [Mandatory]
• Photography Practice 8: The Photobook [Mandatory]

Advanced Entry

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

Progression

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.