Course Description

3 years full-time

This is a course in the creative practice and critical study of photography its unique in placing an equal emphasis on Practice and Theory. It is designed to equip students with a range of skills that provide an academic understanding of the uses, functions and meanings of images in relation to art, society and culture. Students learn to produce photography-based work that can communicate ideas effectively, and with a sensitivity to audience, purpose and context. As well as our experienced and highly respected teaching staff, the course is supported by a variety of visiting lecturers and guest speakers.

Practice

Practice modules provide training in the production techniques & procedures of a variety of photographic and related media. Students not only learn a full range of photographic techniques but are encouraged to develop a creative, self reflexive and critically informed approach to their practical work.

Theory

Students are equipped with skills & knowledge relevant to a critical understanding of the production and consumption of photographic images. Modules draw on a number of other disciplines, notably art history, film studies, semiotics, sociology and psychoanalysis.

Theory & Practice

Although our students will use the two disciplines to inform their work and understandings throughout the course, and after it, there are specific modules in the first and second year that directly combine them.

Who is the course for?

We recruit from a wide range of academic and cultural backgrounds. Some come to us straight from A levels, others will have completed a foundation course, HNC or other intermediate qualification. We welcome applications from mature students, who may have relevant experience rather than formal qualifications. We have many European and overseas students on the course, and our students benefit from a vibrant cultural mix.

What will you study?

Year 1

The first year of the course provides students with a thorough and intensive grounding in a wide range of the key photographic techniques, theories and concepts.

Year 2

Second Year practice is research and project based. Options are offered which allow students to develop more specialist skills such as Video, Digital Photomontage, and Publishing. Students are also required to produce work for 'real world' contexts - either for external clients, for public exhibition, or to undertake work placements. Theory modules explore the ways in which meanings and persuasion in photographic imagery are produced and their ideological effects, the relationship between new technologies and vision, power and social control and the contribution of the unconscious to subjectivity and the construction of identity.

Year 3

Third year modules are based on students' ability to structure their own programme and to develop a more independent and autonomous form of learning. The year centres on the production of two major pieces of work, the Dissertation and the Major Project which are supported by regular tutorials and workshops. The Professional Futures module acts as a 'launchpad' for students' careers as does the degree show exhibition which is held in a central London location at the end of the course to showcase student work.

What might you do after the course?

Our graduates go on to work as:

• Practising photographers in both the commercial and fine art sectors.
• Picture editors & researchers.
• Museum & gallery curators / arts administrators, historians, teachers, academics and writers.
• Advertising agency creatives.
• Photographic education officers.
• Community project workers.
• Many also go on to Postgraduate study & Doctoral research.