Program Overview

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Photography BA (Hons)

Overview

Our photography degree helps you explore the world of photography and its impact on society. Look at historical and contemporary uses of photography and develop advanced skills required for a competitive job market.

Course Options

• Degree
  • UCAS code: W
  • UCAS points: 112
  • Duration: 3/4 years
  • Tuition fees: £9,535 per year (Home Applicant, Full-time)
• Degree with Foundation Year
  • UCAS code: W64264
  • UCAS points: 64
  • Duration: 4/5 years
  • Tuition fees: £9,535 per year (Home Applicant, Full-time)

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator, including:
  • A Levels in at least two subjects
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
  • BTEC Diploma – DD
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate – 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level
• All applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio
• In addition to one of the above, you should have:
  • GCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in English
  • GCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).

Mature Applicants and Those Without Formal Qualifications

As an inclusive university, we recognise those who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have the relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course.

Portfolio Requirements

A portfolio is required and should be relevant to this course. It should include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of the subject area.

Fees, Funding, and Additional Costs

Fees

• UK/Home Students: £9,535 per year (Full-time)
• International Students: £15,560 per year (Full-time)

Funding

• UK Fee Status Holders: Government funding, UEL funding, external funding
• International Fee Status Holders: UEL scholarships, ways to pay

Additional Costs

• Textbooks
• Computer equipment
• Printing
• Travel
• Personal laptops and other personal devices
• Personal copies of books
• Optional study visits and field trips
• Costs of participating in external events, exhibitions, performances, etc.

Course Modules

Foundation Year

• Professional Life (Mental Wealth) Core Module
• Art & Design Workshops, Processes & Skills Core Module
• Art & Design Studio Practice & Portfolio Core Module
• Art & Design Specialist Workshops, Processes & Skills Core Module
• Art & Design Specialist Studio Practice & Portfolio Core Module
• Art & Design Contextual Studies Core Module

Year 1

• Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth) Core Module
• Practice 1 Core Module
• Contextual Studies 1 Core Module
• Research into Practice 1 Core Module
• Experimentation and Application 1A Core Module
• Experimentation and Application 1B Core Module

Year 2

• Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth) Core Module
• Design Investigation 2 Core Module
• Contextual Studies 2 Core Module
• Advanced Experimentation and Applications (Animation) Core Module
• Advanced Practice Core Module
• Optional Placement Optional Module

Year 3

• Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth) Core Module
• Integrated Technology Core Module
• Independent Major Project Part A Core Module
• Design Investigation 3 Core Module
• Art & Design Studio Practice & Portfolio Core Module
• Research into Practice 3 – Global Photography Core Module
• Research into Practice 3 – Extended Research Project Core Module

Your Future Career

We will prepare you for changes in digital technology and distribution in photography. You'll be ready for the opportunities presented in multi-disciplinary and expanded practice, aided by the high-quality moving image capabilities of the current DSLR cameras.

Industry Links

Well-known external creatives regularly visit the photography department to deliver talks and workshops, giving you insight into working in the industry.

Graduate Employers

Our alumni have found success with their own studios: White Rabbit in Shoreditch and Espero Studios off Brick Lane were both set up by UEL Photography entrepreneurs.

Job Roles

Many of our photography graduates have gone on to carve out successful careers that include:

• Documentary directors
• Studio and production managers
• Re-touchers and image makers
• Videographers
• Freelance camera operators
• Production assistants
• Producers
• Stylists
• Designers

Further Study

You could undertake further study in a similar area, making you more flexible in today's job market:

• MA Filmmaking
• MA Media and Communication Industries
• MA Data Journalism
• MA Directing for Stage and Screen

How We Support Your Career Ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including:

• Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth Programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

How You'll Learn

Our innovative Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach enhances face-to-face learning by providing students with scheduled on-campus contact hours and additional learning opportunities.

Guided Independent Study

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.

Academic Support

Students are supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, and former and current UEL students.

Facilities

• Large professional advanced shoot studio with rigged lights
• Large immersive studio with continuous lights and green screen
• Black and white darkroom and film processing area
• Digital darkroom
• High-quality digital printer for portfolio and exhibition printing
• Large format printer for poster printing
• 3D Fabrication facility including 3D printers and laser cutters
• Photography store containing a wide range of equipment for loan including high-end DSLR cameras, medium and large format analogue cameras, Bowens and Pro-Foto portable lighting kits, Tascams and microphones (for audio), fig rigs, tripods and much more.

How You'll Be Assessed

You'll be required to present work for assessment in the form of exhibition, portfolio presentation, oral presentation or in the form of an evaluative learning journal, report or essay.

Campus and Facilities

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.

Who Teaches This Course

This course is delivered by the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering.

Official Student Data from Discover Uni

The banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

• 75% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course
• 88% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 80% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

What Our Students and Staff Say

The best institution I could attend. I know everyone, and everyone is really friendly and caring. The other day I thought, this is going to end; I was almost crying; it has been going great!

Danilo Zocatelli Cesco

BA (Hons) Photography

Studying at UEL has been the best decision I ever made. I was unsure if I would fit in as a mature student, but my age provided me with experience that was an advantage. I worked well with my fellow students and my lecturers. I have learned so much about photography, but also about subjects relating to photography like putting together books and curating exhibitions, which has and continues to benefit my career. Studying here has improved my knowledge and technical skills as well as my confidence, giving me contacts in the industry and a bunch of new, creative friends."

Karin Bultje

BA (Hons) Photography graduate

Related Courses

This course is part of the Visual Arts subject area.

• BA (Hons) Fine Art
• BA (Hons) Interior Design
• BA (Hons) Interior Architecture