BA (Hons) Photography

Explore different styles and forms of photography while developing a portfolio that showcases your individual skills. You'll graduate as an enterprising and entrepreneurial photographer capable of working in and shaping the future of the media industries.

UCAS Code:
W690
Institution:
B50

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Why study BA (Hons) Photography at BU?

Explore photography as a craft and a business, through a combination of practical and theoretical approaches
Access industry standard digital cameras, lighting, studio space and image manipulation software throughout your degree
Work alongside internationally recognised lecturers and practitioners
Emphasis on real-world collaboration with others
Choose optional specialist units in a particular area of interest in more detail to match your career ambitions
Make invaluable industry connections during a work placement in industry.

Find out more about the content of this course.

Industry-standard facilities

The practical studio elements of the course are delivered in the Poole Gateway Building, which opened in spring 2020. This houses various studio spaces, editing workstations and the kit store. We have a range of digital cameras and professional lighting to support your studies and enhance your portfolio.

Getting hands-on experience with the same equipment used in industry settings prepares you for both your time on placement and your future career.

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

3 years full-time with a 4 week placement, or 4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry and September 2022 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry and September 2022 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in writing, speaking, listening and reading or equivalent. For more information check out our International entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will usually be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students.

Download the programme specification (pdf 373kb)

Year 1

Core units

Photography Fundamentals: This unit will introduce you to fundamental tools and techniques of photography. Through practice, theory and historical context, you will develop an understanding of the technology within the camera and how it works. From a practical perspective the unit will advance your skills and knowledge in a broad range of photographic practices, terminology, methodologies and techniques. There will be an introduction to studio, lighting and post production effects. The final output will be a portfolio that can demonstrate your understanding of various techniques.
Understanding the Image: This unit emphasises the practice of analysing and interpreting photographs from historical, stylistic and aesthetic perspectives. Key historical movements, trends and styles will be explored from different theoretical frameworks including: representations of reality, photographic composition, visual culture, narrative structure, etc. This unit will help you develop a stylistic, aesthetic and intellectual orientation for your future work. You will work on a number of published works and photographers in order to analyse, apply and interpret the content discussed in class.
Ambitions: You will explores different techniques for reflection, organisation and study skills. You will explore the various prospects for personal growth while at university, in a learning context but also through to social and well-being opportunities on campus and in the wider community and industry.
Portfolio: During this unit you will be introduced to different styles and forms that exist within contemporary practices of photography, including but not exclusively fine art, portraiture, fashion, product, lifestyle, event, sports, architectural and speciality photography. You will build an understanding of the various types of photography through practice, theory and historical context. Working with a range of photograhic equipment, you will advance your skills and knowledge in a broad range of photographic practices, terminology, methodologies and techniques. The final output will be a portfolio.

Option units (choose two)

Creative Collaboration: This unit aims to introduce you to the process of effective collaboration through a series of exercises and workshops designed to explore and examine how creative people work together.
Community: Here you will engage in a short project that focuses on a particular issue within your community. The aim is for you to develop confidence and a sense of global citizenship; working with external partners on causes that benefit society.
Negotiated Project: The aim of this unit is to enable you to claim ownership of all stages of the initiation, development and realisation of a media production, as you apply your experience from across the course so far to a self- directed project. The unit reflects the group work realties of contemporary creative media production and will benefit you in terms of professionalism, knowledge of industry practices and personal development.

Year 2

Core units

Specialist Portfolio: You will develop a deep understanding within a particular area of photography and build a portfolio that demonstrates your understanding of the practice, theory and historical context of their chosen specialist area.The unit advances your experimental and reflective processes, driven by independent study and organisation. It helps to prepare you for the experiences within the final year, which are much more self-directed.
Work in Media Industries: The aim of this unit is to develop your broad and critical understanding of media industries, their dynamic nature, and the implications of this changing culture for the professional demands upon, and subjective experiences of, industry workers.

Option units semester one (choose two)

Studio Photography: You will learn a range of photographic studio practices and develop an understanding of the process of photographic production, as well as learning techniques including studio composition, lighting and equipment. You will develop a portfolio of images that can demonstrate your understanding and skills in studio photography.
Photojournalism: The unit explores the theory behind how narrative and images interact. You will learn through an investigative approach to various forms of photojournalism (e.g. sports photography, anthropological photography, smartphone journalism etc.) and link these to your understanding of cultural influences, industry developments, and technological advances.
Media Perspectives: This unit aims to further develop your scholarly and analytical skills, as you choose two options from a selection of perspectives/ approaches to addressing media. Optional routes through the unit are not specific to any one medium; you will be asked to critically apply unit content to your own media practice/ interests.
Documentary Practice: Here is an opportunity to explore a range of approaches to documentary, drawing on practical, ethical and critical perspectives to inform your own work. Through your own practice, you will reflect on the relationship between the filmmaker, the context of production and what Grierson described as the 'creative treatment of actuality'.

Option units semester two (choose two)

Professional Project: You will engage in a short project that focuses on a particular issue within a professional context. The aim is for you to develop confidence and an experience of work in the wider world; working with external partners on a project that may support their business.
Open Project: The unit asks you to address one core question: "what do you want to change?" In responding to this question, you are encouraged to work collaboratively, interdisciplinary and transmedially as you take ownership of your project and learning. The unit reflects the complex group work realties of contemporary creative media and encourages you to consider the power of media in relation to change, as you conceptualise, initiate, develop and realise a 'media intervention'.
Camera & Lighting: This unit explores the specialist field of camera and lighting for filmmaking, including but not exclusively camera technology, grip and the principles of lighting. You will engage with professional practices and demonstrate your understanding with a portfolio that showcases your ability to act as a director of photography, and reflect upon the role within the context of a larger production coexisting with other specialisms.

Optional placement year

Final year

Core units

Entrepreneurship for the Creative Industries: We live in a complex and rapidly changing environment, in terms of social, economic, technological and cultural factors, all of which are closely interdependent. The cultural and creative industries are increasingly dependent on new forms of economic engagement, while creative individuals increasingly expect to have ‘portfolio careers'. The aim of this unit is to explore some of the tools, skills and strategies that can be utilised to build a career as an independent producer or freelance worker in the contemporary creative industries.
Graduate Project Development (Photography): The aim of this unit is to provide a route-map for your development and provide you with the skills and support to flourish in your graduate project.
Graduate Project (Photography): During this unit you will develop a project, (e.g; dissertation/ portfolio etc.) to produce 'calling cards' for industry. The emphasis is on the appropriate treatment of ideas, and how they are communicated effectively to identified audiences and users through the process of their specialist field of production.
Exhibition: The exhibition is a chance for you to select and share the work that you are proudest of from across the course and a platform to invite external stakeholders that may be interested in the work. You will work with your fellow students to arrange, manage and promote an exhibition.

Option units (choose one)

Enquiry & Experiment: The aim of this unit is for you to undertake a practice led or research based project. You will look to identify, examine and demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of a question, issue or debate within your practice. In doing so you will conceptualise your research act through engaging with relevant scholarly literature and appropriate research approaches and method. You will create a research 'artefact' and offer a critical reflection on the artefact, research act and findings. Within this unit you are encouraged to creatively challenge practice conventions.
Professional Research Project: Here you will have the opportunity to critically examine your chosen area of practice through the application of research into an aspect of media professions, including ethical and theoretical considerations.

Programme specification, contact hours and assessment

Contact hours and assessment

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career. That’s why we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

You could even choose to undertake your placement abroad, giving you the opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically, and professionally and gain skills to help you stand out in the job market.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements All you need to know about placements

How placements benefit you

The benefits to you as a placement student are many. You will have the chance to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider.

Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

How long will your placement be?

Help and support

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Coordinator.

They’ll help you plan your placement so make sure you get the right experience for you. That includes offering help and support if you need to move to another part of the UK – and even another country – to get the most out of your time.

We’ve also built close industry links over the years – so our network of employers that are keen to work with placement students is always growing. Or if you’d prefer to arrange your placement independently, we can offer advice on how to do that too.

Your application

For BA (Hons) Photography, we are looking for applicants who can:

Demonstrate a passion for photography, either through influences or experiences
Demonstrate examples of engaging with photography beyond your educational curriculum
Genuinely reflect on your positive attributes, but also what you want to come to university to improve upon

How to apply

What we’re looking for

You will have the potential to work creatively, individually and in groups. We look for innovative thinkers who are familiar with current practices in photography and media creation. We encourage applicants who are interested in new ideas, can express themselves well and can demonstrate a wide range of interests.

You should be able to communicate why you want to come on this course, what appeals to you about working in this industry and why you feel you have the edge over your peers. You must have basic computer literacy, including knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Selection methods

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Supporting your study

This course has compulsory elements involving practical production activities. When required, students must complete a health and safety risk assessment to take part in these activities, for their safety and that of others. As part of that assessment students provide information about any conditions or disabilities that might affect their ability to undertake these activities fully or safely.

If you have such a condition or disability, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our Additional Learning Support (ALS) service about this before or after making an application. We will then work with you to identify any support or adjustments you would need. Our ALS team works with the Faculty to seek to put in place reasonable adjustments and health and safety plans.

Exceptionally, it may not be possible to arrange for a student to access these courses without either over-riding their core standards or competencies or creating unacceptable risks to health and safety. If that is the case we will help you explore alternative course choices.

Entry requirements

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.

A-level and AS levels: 104 – 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Access to HE Diploma: 102 – 118 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)
Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff
Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Extended Project Qualification: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

International Baccalaureate Certificates: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): An overall score of 28 - 31 points.

Scottish Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

T Levels: We will recognise T Level qualifications at a suitable level (and in a suitable subject, if applicable).

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2021 and September 2022 entry:

Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 61-71%. Grade depends on the course
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course
All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 60-70%
Italian Esame di Stato with 60-70%. Grade depends on the course
Titulo de Bachillerato with 6 or 7. Grade depends on the course

We offer a number of preparatory programmes through Bournemouth University International College. These courses offer you progression from High School in your home country to a Bachelor’s degree at BU.

Options include:

Foundation Certificate in Media and Communications

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

This course seeks to generate enterprising and entrepreneurial practitioners that are not only geared up to work in industry as it currently stands, but to have an active role in shaping how it may be in the future.

Careers advice, resources, events and job opportunities

Typical starting job roles

The course is designed with opportunities to develop a portfolio in a specific area of photography that interests you, from photojournalism to wildlife, fashion to sports. This means you can shape your learning based on your career aspirations. Our graduates will be prepared with the business and entrepreneurial skills to navigate a career as a photographer in a competitive field.

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
Travel costs, outdoor wear and footwear for optional field trips
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website at www.bournemouth.ac.uk/students/help-advice/financial-support/placement-year-funding .

Repeat units

Help and support

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

James Fair - Principal Academic

James joined Bournemouth University in 2014 to develop the BA (Hons) Film programme. Having led that to success, he is developing the BA (Hons) Photography programme to address the challenges that contemporary photographers face in a competitive marketplace.

James has a background in multimedia experiences including photography and filmmaking. His Crushing Snails project invited photographic contributions from all over the globe and compiled into a book and exhibition at the Birmingham Artsfest in 2013. James also produced 360-degree photography for the Strongroom Studios in 2004, one of the first recording studios to do so.

View James Fair's profile

Dr Claudy Op Den Kamp - Senior Lecturer

Claudy has a background in film restoration, with a particular interest in the chemistry of cinematographic film and development techniques. She studied Photography at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, Netherlands, during which time she ran the (wet) darkroom at Greenpeace International in Amsterdam, and finished an internship at Cineco / Haghefilm restoration laboratories, which she later joined as an account manager.

She was a studio assistant to fashion photographer Arthur Elgort in New York, and a photographer’s assistant to Marcel van der Vlugt in Amsterdam, who specialises in working with Polaroid, and who, because of the unique status of that material, was one of the first to take up digital reproduction techniques.

She went on to write her undergraduate thesis on the work of Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn, and interned at Magnum Photos in New York, where her interest in image licensing was piqued. Recently she was in charge of rights clearance and licensing of all the images in her co-edited volume A History of Intellectual Property in 50 Objects (CUP, 2019).

View Dr Claudy Op Den Kamp's staff profile

Mark Bond - Senior Lecturer

Mark is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Media and Communication where his professional industry experience informs his research and teaching across media production programmes. Mark studied Photography, film and video, at Westminster University before going on to establishing himself as a freelance Director of Photography. Mark has a passion for image making, designing his own darkroom and printing and processing his own work, before moving on to digital. He has photographed six children’s books published by Hoder International, while working as the DoP on The Wombles series 3&4 FilmFair, Cinar Films. Installations include Digital Visions 2016, A photographic exhibition and screening. A spatiotemporal, sensory experience - drawing on childhood memories of imagined worlds. Mark continues his professional practice combining research and teaching, collaborating with students, external stakeholders and professional industry bodies.

View Mark Bond's staff profile

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

BA (Hons) Photography

Course search

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Why study BA (Hons) Photography at BU?

Industry-standard facilities

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Scholarships

Related courses

Course details

Year 1

Year 2

Optional placement year

Final year

Programme specification, contact hours and assessment

Placements

How placements benefit you

How long will your placement be?

Help and support

Your application

What we’re looking for

Selection methods

How we assess your application

Our offer-making process

Supporting your study

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

International entry requirements

Careers

Typical starting job roles

Further study

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Help and support

Our staff

James Fair - Principal Academic

Dr Claudy Op Den Kamp - Senior Lecturer

Mark Bond - Senior Lecturer