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Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs at Grade C/4 including English Language

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Study Mode

Full time

Part time

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Duration

Full time

1 year


Key features and Benefits

  • Showcase your photographic talents in our Annual End of Year Show, the National Festival of Making and Embankment Galleries London
  • Benefit from our Progression Partnership with University of the Arts, London (UAL)
  • Learn from tutors, many of whom are practicing photographers who exhibit their work nationally and internationally
  • Work with employers on live briefs to create promotional and corporate photography that will nuture your freelance skills

This Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Photography aims to provide a firm foundation in core photography practice and to encourage your personal development and expression

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Photography

  • Overview

    This Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Photography aims to provide a firm foundation in core photography practice and to encourage your personal development and expression. The course helps you to find out what you enjoy, what you are good at and allows you to develop a set of valuable skills for future study and work University of the Arts, London Awarding Body (UAL) qualifications are recognised and highly regarded across the country and designed by some of the best art, design and media educators in the world. Blackburn College is one of only 10 Colleges in the country to have a UAL progression agreement, which means that our students will benefit from:

    • A guaranteed interview with a UAL College/University
    • Industry specialised lecturers
    • Advice & guidance from a UAL representative
    • Help with mock interviews, specific to UAL criteria
    • UAL set assignments

    As part of the UAL agreement, Blackburn College tutors meet and share good practice with the other 9 UAL approved colleges around the country, to make sure our students are receiving the best learning experience possible We have a first class record in placing talented students on the best degree course at institutions such as Ravensbourne, Chelsea School of Art & Design, Ruskin School at Cambridge, Leeds College of Art, Goldsmiths, London College of Communication, The Slade, Wimbledon, Camberwell College of Art, Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion.  This qualification is mapped to the level 3/4 UAL Pre-Degree Foundation Diploma (Media) at Blackburn College. Many students wish to complete this higher level and diverse course before progressing to University. Students can also progress to graphic design related degree courses at the University Centre at Blackburn College, or to a whole range of other art, design related degree courses at leading institutions in the United Kingdom. In addition students also progress directly to employment within the creative industries.

  • What will I study?

    The course is made up of 9 units in year one and a further 4 larger units in year two. You will be given a range of projects that challenge you to explore different areas of photographic practice including studio and location photography (landscape, fashion, commercial and fine art applications), darkroom and digital imaging, lighting techniques, supported by contextual studies throughout.

  • Entry Requirements

    4 GCSEs at Grade C/4 including English Language or completion of a Level 2 course.

  • How will I be assessed?

    In this qualification learners engage with study through a range of creative assignments, all of which help build confidence, knowledge and skills in preparation for their final Project Proposal and Realisation at the end of year 2 in which each learner specialises. At this point each learner is at the pinnacle of their learning and is assessed for their overall grade, Pass, Merit or Distinction.

  • What can I do next?

    This qualification is mapped to the Level 3/4 UAL Pre-Degree Foundation Diploma (Media) at Blackburn College. Many students wish to complete this varied higher level course before you progress onto University or employment. Students can also progress to Photography related degree courses at the University Centre at Blackburn College, or to a whole range of other Photography related degree courses at leading institutions in the United Kingdom. In addition students also progress directly to employment within the creative industries.

    All students of this programme are guaranteed an interview with one of the University of the Arts London (UAL) courses. This course provides an excellent springboard to some of the best creative arts and media degree courses in the world.

    Many students choose to progress on to programmes at University Centre at Blackburn College which allow you to follow a range of specialisms. These include:

    • studying Photography -
    • studying Graphic Communication -
    • studying Illustration & Animation -
    • studying Textiles -
    • studying Interior Design -
    • studying Fashion -
    • studying Fine Art (Integrated Media) -

    These courses are all validated by UK Top 10 Lancaster University. 

  • Your Study Programme

  • Discover other courses in Creative Arts

  • Career Options

    Photographer

    If you are artistic and love taking photographs, this could be a perfect career for you. As a photographer you would use cameras to take still photographs. You would use your technical skills and artistic ideas to take images of people and products. You will also take pictures of places or events.

    A photographer is usually a creative person. You’ll also need to be able to make people feel relaxed.

    Most professional photographers take a college or university course to develop their technical skills

    Job Opportunites in Lancashire

    Photographic Technician

    Photographic technicians produce images from digital files, either as prints on photographic paper or on a wide variety of other media, such as mouse mats, t-shirts, mugs and posters. If you are interested in photography and can work accurately, this job could be ideal for you.

    In this job you would need to have good colour vision. You will also need to have computer skills and be good at dealing with customers.

    There aren't any set entry requirements to get into this job, but some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs including maths and science, or qualifications of a similar level. There are college and university courses in photography you can do that could help you develop the skills you would need.

    Job Opportunites in Lancashire

    Cinematographer

    A cinematographer or director of photography, also known as DP or DoP, is the head of the camera and lighting crew working on a film or TV set. As a cinematographer you will be responsible for the development, look and feel of the images which will make up the final film.

    To do this job you need to have a passion for film and photography. You also need to be a good communicator. If you are creative, have leadership skills and want to work in the film or television industry, then this career could be for you.

    A common way into this career is to get experience of camera work by working your way up from a camera operator role. If you have a portfolio of photography or a reel of film work that you have produced yourself, then you could market this to get yourself known.

    Job Opportunites in Lancashire

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98% Overall BTEC Pass Rate

August 2023 Results