Program Overview

Photography (Documentary Photojournalism) BA (Hons)

Overview

Feel the excitement of professional photography on our Documentary Photojournalism degree. You won’t just be sitting in lectures – all the modules have been designed to get you out taking photographs as often as possible. You’ll learn the key skills required to be a working photographer, get regularly published worldwide and how to make a living and a career from photography.

Study Style

This hands-on, professional degree emphasises practical learning, pushing you beyond the classroom with frequent, relevant hands-on practical photographic assignments to enhance your skills.

Course Options

• Full Time (3 years)
• Full Time (4 years) with foundation year
• Part Time no fixed duration

Entry Requirements

• Typical Offers: 96 – 120 UCAS tariff points, CCC – BBB at A levels, MMM – DDM at BTEC, or a Merit in your T-Level.
• Foundation or Extended Diploma: We welcome applicants with a pass in a relevant Foundation or Extended Diploma (Level 3 or 4).
• Additional requirements: English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
• Don't meet the entry requirements? This course is available with an additional integrated foundation year. This four year option has lower entry requirements – see below – than the other study type/s available.
• Mature students: We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.
• International students: Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.

Course Modules

• Level 4 (Undergraduate year 1)
  • Creating and Telling Stories (AD4810)
  • Skills for Still and Moving Image (AD4811)
  • The Zine (AD4812)
  • Creating Your Visual Language (AD4813)
• Level 5 (Undergraduate year 2)
  • Communications For The Creative Industries (with Placement) (AD5711)
  • People, Places and Society (AD5810)
  • Sport and Action Photography (AD5812)
  • Documentary Film making (AD5813)
  • The Gallery Setting (AD5814)
• Level 6 (Undergraduate final year)
  • Major Project Research and Development (AD6711)
  • The Creative Professional (AD6712)
  • Documentary Practice (AD6810)
  • Documentary Photojournalism Major Project (AD6811)

Fees and Costs

• Start date | Location | UCAS code | Fee (UK) Fee per year | Fee (international) Fee per year
  • Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | W650 | £9,535 | £17,425
  • Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | W650 | TBC | TBC

Careers

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement, with recent destinations including Magnum Photos New York, The Michael Hoppen Gallery, The Daily Mail, South West News Service, Getty Images, Reuters Images, The ITN Archive and The Michael Hoppen Gallery.

Graduates from our course move into a range of roles, both employed and freelance including for Getty Images, The Press Association, Mercury Press, the Tate, The Walt Disney Company, Saatchi and Saatchi, and Sony.

Teaching Staff

• Academic course leader: Paul Roberts

Student Work

• Take a look at our students' photography.

Placements

You’ll have the opportunity within the second year and third year to carry out work placements not only in Documentary Photojournalism, but in other areas of the creative industries, in the UK or abroad.

We’ll help you find great placement(s) through our excellent contacts and growing reputation in the industry.

Previous placements include Magnum New York, GOST Books, The Guardian, Getty Images, Reuters Images, The ITN Archive and The Michael Hoppen Gallery.