Program Overview

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Photography (MFA) - MFA

2025/26 Full-time Postgraduate course

Award:

Master of Fine Art

Faculty:

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School:

Belfast School of Art

Campus:

Belfast campus

Start date:

September 2025

Overview

Rethinking photographic practices on Belfast School of Art's world leading MFA Degree in Photography.

Summary

At the Belfast School of Art we strive to develop unique photographic voices, which sit firmly at the cutting-edge of a contemporary international context, while also mining the specifics of our unique geographical and cultural position.

We have been profiled by the British Journal of Photography as one of the most significant photography schools in Europe. Our graduates work internationally between the book, gallery, web and magazine, continually challenging photography’s place within contemporary society and the way we photograph now.

The teaching team is comprised of contemporary practising photographers, writers and thinkers who exhibit and publish internationally. These are Professor Paul Seawright, Ailbhe Greaney, Ken Grant, and Clare Gallagher as well as Magnum photographer Martin Parr, Turner Prize winner Emma Campbell and Professor Donovan Wylie. We have a programme of Guest Lecturers, which draws on our colleagues in publishing, galleries, photography festivals as well as internationally known photographers and industry professionals. Throughout the programme students develop an awareness of photography as it exists in a culture of evolving technologies. They are challenged to rethink their practice both visually, theoretically and contextually. Our close links with photographic galleries and photography festivals helps students to build networks and professional practice. The programme is complemented by a series of master classes and advanced skill workshops; an annual field trip to Paris and regular site visits to a variety of cultural institutions such as museums and galleries in Ireland, the UK and Europe.

About this course

About

The MFA Photography has an international reputation and is available for study on campus in Belfast (Thursday delivery) and fully online (eLearning) for students living and working outside Ireland. A Master of Fine Arts degree is a creative degree, which centers around practice in a particular field, in this case Photography. The qualification provides students with a high level of specialisation and allows graduates to teach at University level.

The MFA Photography degree exposes students to key critical debates in photography and offers a dynamic environment in which to develop a major body of photographic work for exhibition and publication. Staff are leaders in the field of photography. Internationally recognised photographers, artists and researchers regularly review student projects, give lectures and critique photographic work.

Guest Lecturers have recently included: Hannah Starkey, Mark Power, Anna Fox, Wendy McMurdo, Doug DuBois, Simon Roberts, Chloe Dewe Mathews, Léonie Hampton, Gareth McConnell, Raphaël Dallaporta, WassinkLundgren, Rob Hornstra, Raimond Wouda, Lotte Sprengers, Corinne Noordenbos, Helen Sear, Poulomi Basu, Tim Clark and Krass Clement.

The course looks to recruit photographers that are serious about challenging their working methods and extending their visual vocabulary. The course has excellent links with galleries and museums and draws on an exemplary network of artists to create a study environment that is stimulating and encourages experimentation.

Structure & content

The programme is delivered through a range of learning methods, including seminars, presentations, tutorials and group critiques, to enable students to acquire the cognitive skills of a self-reflexive independent learner. There are optional exit points for students to exit with a PGDip or MA.

Modules:

• Semester I
  • Reviewing Practice (40 credits)
  • Photography and Culture: (20 credits)
• Semester II
  • Contemporary Contexts (40 credits)
  • Photographic Futures (20 credits)
• Optional Exit Award - PGDip (120 credit points)
• Semester III
  • Master's Project (Involves a major piece of practical photography work with accompanying contextualisation. Creative written and photographic resolution of a major body of work is emphasised here.) (60 credits).
• Optional Exit Award - MA (180 credit points)
• Semester IV
  • Resolution & Portfolio (Involves a major piece of practical photography work with accompanying dissertation. Resolution of the Master's Project through publication via book and/or exhibition is emphasised here.) (60 credits).
• Final Award MFA (240 credit points)

Attendance

Full-time 4 Semesters - Belfast Campus or Online: September - January; January - June; September - January; January - June;

All the core teaching takes place on Thursdays and you should expect to be on campus from 10am - 7pm. During this time you will engage in one-to-one tutorials, a lecture programme delivered by staff and visiting guest speakers, group seminars, group critiques and technical workshops. The rest of the week is spent attending optional tutorials/workshops and engaging in independent study.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The primary assessment method is the evaluation of photographic work in progress. Students work over the duration of the course on a major body of work that is subjected to regular and rigorous critique by staff and internationally renowned visiting photographers. Other assessment methods are visual presentations, seminar presentations, essays and a final year dissertation. There is an interim exhibition which is assessed at the end of the first year, usually in a public gallery.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold:

• a second class honours degree or higher from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
• an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification.

In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate abilities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

In all cases applicants must provide a portfolio of practical work at interview or on application.

English Language Requirements

• The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

Graduates are prepared for advanced careers in the field of photography. They go on to work as photographers in the fine art, cultural and commercial sectors, as well as securing roles in all aspects of the publishing, design, education, and museum sectors. Photography is the central medium of our age and the course introduces students to the new aesthetics and technologies now evolving in a fluid industry. Course team members are internationally recognised for their exhibitions, as well as their publications, curating and world leading research. They use their professional networks to offer students experience and knowledge drawn from the widest aspects of industry. Key skills development in communication strategies, portfolio development and preparation for industry enable our graduates to build a strong and enhanced platform from which to progress into the branch of the industry most suited to them.

Work placement / study abroad

The programme is complemented by a series of master classes and advanced skill workshops; an annual field trip to Paris and regular site visits to a variety of cultural institutions such as museums and galleries in Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£7,240.00

International Fees

£24,079.20

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.

If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

Information on International scholarships can be found at:

postgraduate-scholarship

Further information can be found at:

View Available Scholarships

See if you can access financial or other forms of support, including mentorship to excel in your studies.

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Additional mandatory costs

Students should be aware that as the work is self-directed costs may and are likely to be incurred due to the specific material or research needs of that student’s development.

Field trips may incur additional costs.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.

Testimonials

This course had totally transformed my photographic practice in ways I could never have imagined. This has been the most challenging, and yet the most rewarding, experience of my life! The teaching staff are total professionals and are 100% committed to a successful outcome for each student. Additionally, they encourage the students to bond and support each other – I anticipate that our WhatsApp group will be active for years after we graduate. Paul Greenfield MFA

Belfast School of Art, Ulster University is a wondrous place for artists. There is something about the geography, the social history and the people at the school that have developed a pace conducive to making and celebrating art. The confluence of talent and experience at the leading edge of the team behind the photographic department has created a successful and welcoming community. Ian Simpson MFA

The MFA at Ulster University was one of my best decisions. It has taught me how I work as an artist and given me tools and understanding to create better work and connections. And the support and guidance from every single one of the tutors has been invaluable and, most of all, one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences of my photographic career. Clare French MFA

This MFA has been a really enjoyable and rewarding experience for me. On a weekly basis, I learnt so much from my tutors through informative and inspiring lectures, seminars and tutorials. The course has greatly assisted me in developing the direction of my work. Stephen Kelly MFA