Photography & Moving Image with Foundation Entry BA (Hons)

BA (Hons) Photography & Moving Image has been designed to give you the knowledge and real-life skills that are needed for a range of graduate-level jobs in industry.

This is an exciting, but challenging time to be entering the photographic industry. Never has photography been so popular, nor so competitive. As such, this course has been designed to produce graduates that are: socially engaged, politically aware photography and moving image practitioners; able to integrate criticality and reflection in their practice; independent thinkers who can collaborate and lead; sophisticated ‘makers,’ able to utilise contemporary and traditional technology and methodology appropriately for a range of audiences and functioning, and commercially adept practitioners of photography and moving image.

During the course of the programme you will study a range of subjects directly associated with photography and moving image. Alongside all the modules you will develop your academic skills that will help you progress smoothly. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and you will study the following modules:

Level 3 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Preparing for Higher Education
• Creative Practice 1 (Multidisciplinary)
• Creative Practice 2 (Multidisciplinary)

Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Contextual Studies (Photography and Moving Image)
• Creative Process 1 (Photography and Moving Image)
• Location and Studio Practice
• Photography and Moving Image
• Professional Practice 1

Level 5 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Critical Studies (Photography and Moving Image)
• Creative Process 2 (Photography and Moving Image)
• Professional Practice 2
• Photographic Practice
• Moving Image Practice

Level 6 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Dissertation (Photography and Moving Image)
• External Engagement
• Extensive Personal Practice 
• Professional Practice 3

Applicants to the foundation year with A-level (or other level 3 qualifications) gained within 5 years of entry will be required to have either a minimum 32 UCAS points from subjects related to their intended target award (eg. Art) or a minimum of 48 UCAS points overall.

You  should have an interest in the practice of graphic communication or an interest in some aspect of the creative arts.  You will be required to attend an interview as part of meeting the standard entry criteria for the programme. This interview will perform two purposes:

1. To allow the admission tutor(s) to assess the applicant's knowledge of the rudimentary elements of animation graphic design practice (e.g. drawing skills, basic familiarity with the relevant software).

2. To allow for a supportive discussion surrounding issues such as fees, course structure, support, career ambitions, student and institutional responsibilities.

We welcome applications from mature students without formal qualifications for these courses or from mature students whose Level 3 qualifications were gained more than 5 years ago. If this applies, the interviewer will consider previously gained skills and experience, e.g. through employment or other verifiable source, and any prior formal qualifications. Applicants should attend an interview as part of meeting the standard entry criteria for the programme.

For non-native speakers of English you must demonstrate proficiency of English equivalent to B2 of the Common European Framework, specifically IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no more than 2 sub scores below IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent). 

Applicants should also exhibit an interest in the subject of photography and / or moving imagery, either as processes or theoretical. You will also need:

• A functional digital camera that allows full engagement with all stills and moving image aspects of the programme, this usually means a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) or digital mirrorless camera with a lens and lens interchangeability and with effective stills and moving image capability. This digital camera must have ‘Manual’ exposure mode capability, a memory card of an appropriate capacity to save photographic images and HD moving imagery files. It must also have an appropriate battery.
• A 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera with a lens and lens interchangeability and ‘Manual’ exposure capability. The SLR camera should also have a battery if required.
• Additional photographic film and photography paper for darkroom use.
• A functioning camera tripod able to support and effectively stabilise the student’s own cameras.
• A USB external hard drive with memory capacity sufficient to store still photographic image files and large moving-image files.
• Minimum memory size recommended – 1Tb. As the programme progresses, further external hard drives may be required.

In addition, throughout the programme, you will be required to invest in materials for the production of and presentation of photographic portfolios and moving-image works suitable for assessment and (at Level 6) a public exhibition. We advise that any equipment or materials queries be directed at the programme delivery team. There may be trips to external locations for workshops, conference or another external event that you will be required to pay for.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

Assessment will be undertaken through a range of established methodologies at various stages throughout your learning experience. This incorporates standard practices through initial, diagnostic, formative and summative stages. Examples of assessment activity includes:

• Essays
• Seminars
• Projects and Portfolios
• Dissertations
• Reflective/Summative Reports
• Group presentations
• Peer assessment
• Group assessment

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment-related skills.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas:

• Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English
• Academic Writing (including referencing)
• Research Skills
• Work Placement

Graduates from BA (Hons) Photography & Moving Image can progress onto a range of careers including; news and editorial, publishing, picture library and image distribution, advertising, gallery curation, community arts, teaching and postgraduate study.