BA (Hons) Photography

(Wiltshire College and University Centre, Salisbury Campus)

UCAS Code:
W640
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

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Wiltshire College and University Centre’s Salisbury campus has an enviable reputation and over 50 years’ experience of delivering photography degrees that balance technical mastery, personal experimentation and creative development, giving you the best possible basis for a successful career. You’ll undertake a wide range of projects, including professionally guided assignments, research into the industry, as well as the production of a professional-style portfolio.

The Salisbury campus has outstanding studio space standards and facilities that enable you to gain experience of working with industry-standard equipment. You’ll work in fully equipped studios, including traditional darkrooms, and will use professional-standard cameras and lighting equipment. You’ll also have the opportunity to use the latest digital imaging software, alongside more traditional techniques for post-production work, thus increasing the opportunities for creative solutions to contemporary communication challenges.

You will be encouraged to continue our longstanding success in entering national and international competitions such as those organised by the Royal Photographic Society, the Association of Photographers and the British Institute of Professional Photography, to which the course is affiliated.

Open Days for this course are held at Wiltshire College and University Centre, Salisbury, where this course is delivered. Visit their website to book onto an Open Day.

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.

For September 2021 entry: In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses.

This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page in July 2020 to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Image description — Image of Wiltshire College image processing room

Key information

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Wiltshire College and University Centre, Salisbury

Duration:

3 years full-time with a 2-week placement, or 4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement

Accreditations:

The British Institute of Professional Photography and the Association of Photographers

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: 96 -104 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component or equivalent. For more information check out our International entry requirements.

Accredited by:

Course details

On this course you will 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, demonstrators, technicians and research students.

You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed by coursework culminating in your final year research project, and you will also undertake group work and written exams. The assessment methods for each unit can be found in the programme specification for your course.

Download the programme specification (pdf 704kb)

Year 1

Media Concepts & Contexts: You'll learn how to carry out independent study and research as well as critically reflecting upon your own beliefs and understandings within a media context.
Professional Development Plan: You will research a particular area of industry practice, with a view to developing your own individual career path.
Introduction to Production Skills: You will learn the fundamentals of imaging making using traditional silver based technology as well as the latest digital equipment and software. Work will be both in the studio and on location.
Applied Production Skills 1: You will develop key skills in underlying concepts and principles associated with images, narratives and audiences in photography.
Collaborative Project: You will work collaboratively within a team to produce a professional body of work.

Year 2

Professional Studies: It's intended that industry contacts will be developed by you throughout the remainder of your course and can then be used as an on-going link upon graduation.
Media Theory: Critical study of film form with particular emphasis on the centrality and importance of narrative. You'll be asked to focus in on one key media theory and reflect upon the implications of the theory in your practice.
Applied Production Skills 2: This unit centres on the production of an individually authored documentary or fiction film. You will develop your own creative voice and demonstrate a flair and ability for film making.
Research Methods: Here you'll hone your research skills, drawing upon various methods to carry out your own piece of independent research.
Photography Project: You will further develop your ability to deliver work to a specified length, format, brief and deadline, making use of a problem solving approach.

Placement year

This course contains a two week period of professional placement, usually completed between year 2 and 3. Alternatively, the course can be taken as a 4-year sandwich when your third year will be spent on professional industrial placement.

The placement is an integral part of the course and will give you the opportunity to relate theory to practice and to develop a real understanding of the profession you will enter upon graduating.

Final year

Dissertation: A dissertation allows you to develop and demonstrate your critical, analytical and research skills by producing a major piece of academic work. It gives you the chance to really hone in on an area of expertise.
Concept Development: This unit underpins your Graduate project and includes the development of a production folder, critical statement of practice and exhibition.
Graduate Project: In this unit you will get the chance to plan, produce and author a portfolio of photography.

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

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.

We will provide a great deal of support to help you find the most appropriate work placement for the subject you’re studying and the career you’re interested in, which means you could be based anywhere in the UK, or even overseas.

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

How placements benefit you

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity 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?

Your application

This course will suit applicants who:

Demonstrate both intellectual and creative abilities
Show experience of Photography
Have an appreciation of the academic underpinnings of photography
Possess a strong awareness of the visual communications industry
Demonstrate good technical and communication skills.

How to apply BU Academic Excellence Scholarship

What we’re looking for

Students on this course will typically have a background in photography and the academic ability to undertake a degree. Students will also be media aware and have a proven ability to work creatively, in groups and individually.

We look for creative and innovative thinkers who are familiar with current Photographic practice and want to apply it. We would encourage applicants who are passionate about photography, work well in groups and express themselves well in writing.

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.

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 entry: 96 - 104 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: 96 – 104 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: 96 – 102 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Merit, Merit, Merit (96 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction, Distinction (96 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: 96 - 104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Merit, Merit, Merit (96 UCAS tariff points)
Diploma: Distinction, Distinction (96 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 26 - 29 points.

Scottish Highers: 96 - 104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 96 - 104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

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, you can request a deferral by contacting our Admissions Team.

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 contact our Future Students Enquiry Team 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 entry:

Диплома за средно образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) or Диплома за средно специално образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Specialised Education). Minimum score of 4
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma with required scores (3,3,3 to 4,5,5. Minimum 4 in English required)
Italian Esame di Stato[AB1] with minimum 60%+
Spanish Curso de Orientaciòn Universitaria (COU) prior to 2009 or if you hold a Titulo De Bachillerato awarded from 2009 onwards with a minimum of 5.5/10+
USA High School Diploma with minimum GPA 3.0 plus SAT Reasoning (1700) or ACT (24).

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 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

There is always demand for talented photographers and this degree will prepare you for work in this varied and exciting industry. Once you graduate, you can apply for roles with established studios, with large organisations that require staff photographers, with photo libraries or agencies, or can forge your own career as a freelancer.

Careers advice, resources, events and job opportunities

Potential job roles

Industries worked in

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. Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise.

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.

Patrick Denis - Course Leader

Patrick is the course leader of the BA Photography degree course. He has taught photography for over 15 years, and has designed and delivered academic and vocational courses aligned to the Royal Photographic Society Associate and Licentiate qualifications. Before moving into teaching, Pat had a successful career as an architectural and interiors photographer. His research interests include the relationship between fine art and photography at the turn of the 19th century. He is an Associate Member of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS).

Lesley Banks

Lesley Banks is a photographic communications specialist. She has over 10 years of experience teaching in Higher Education and runs her own successful business in graphic communication and photographic imaging. Lesley specialises in studio-based work including still life, products, pack shots and food, and image based post-production and digital retouching. Her personal work involves documentary-based projects.

Lesley’s clients range from blue-chip companies, museums and charities including Lincolnshire Heritage Aviation Centre, Solent Sky, Hammicks Legal, Tangmere Aviation Museum, John Smith & Sons, A.P Chant, Mushroom Marketing, Coastal Marketing, Inforce, The Salvation Army (India), Coutts Library Services and more

John Martin

John is a senior lecturer specialising in media theory and visual communication. Prior to teaching, John was a successful freelance photographer and has shot for a number national and international blue-chip companies including The Times Newspaper Group, The BBC and Coca Cola. John has strong links to the community arts scene receiving commissions and artist residencies from regional and national arts councils. Outside of photography, John is a keen musician, singer and song writer and fronts his band, The Interceptors.

Mark Leary

Mark Leary is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer who has worked in the advertising industry of London, Paris and New York for nearly twenty years. With his unique colour palette and beautiful lighting, Mark creates a familiar (almost nostalgic) feeling to his work whilst pertaining relevance to a modern, stylised aesthetic. His work has been described as dreamlike and displaying a magical quality whilst conveying universal concepts of wonder, adventure, exploration and mindfulness. His work has been exhibited in The Photographers' Gallery, London and the Getty Gallery, London - amongst others - and he has published three books.

Returning to full-time education in 2018 Mark recently completed his MA in photography at Arts University Bournemouth and is now combining his working career with that of university lecturer - hoping to inspire the next generation of creatives.

Course changes

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
14/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced. Previous text: £790
25/10/2017	Where the change was made: Key information and 2018 entry requirements. Change: The entry requirements for 2018 have changed to 96 -104 tariff points from a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM. Previous text: 2017 entry requirements: The entry requirements for this course are 96 -104 tariff points from 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM.

Date

Changes to this course

14/11/2017

Where the change was made: Fees
Change: After an annual review of the placement year tuition fee, a price increase in line with current inflation, equating to 3% has been introduced.
Previous text: £790

25/10/2017

Where the change was made: Key information and 2018 entry requirements.
Change: The entry requirements for 2018 have changed to 96 -104 tariff points from a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM.
Previous text: 2017 entry requirements: The entry requirements for this course are 96 -104 tariff points from 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications. BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM.

BA (Hons) Photography

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Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Accreditations:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Accredited by:

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Planning your future

Course details

How you will be assessed

Year 1

Year 2

Placement year

Final year

Programme specification

Placements

How placements benefit you

How long will your placement be?

Your application

What we’re looking for

Selection methods

How we assess your application

Our offer making process

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

International entry requirements

Careers

Potential job roles

Industries worked in

Further study

Costs and fees

Our staff

Patrick Denis - Course Leader

Lesley Banks

John Martin

Mark Leary

Course changes

Changes in 2017