The curriculum balances study and hands-on practice in three complementary areas- creative, technically adept photographic practice; critical and historical approaches; and professional standards and methods.
The programme is structured around a sequence of six photography projects (each one a module), enriched with Histories and Theories and Professional Contexts modules.
The Photography projects focus on the development of your practice, voice and identity as a photographer.
The Histories and Theories modules are linked to practical work, bringing depth, intelligence and insights to your practice. This will ensure the development of transferable skills, to graduate confident, articulate and culturally aware in preparation for a wide range of career opportunities.
Professional Contexts modules are about the process of translating great ideas and creative work into realisable, professional propositions. You will develop a range of practical skills in order to do this.
Study modules
The first year is a year of grounding; providing you with skills and insights into fundamental aspects of photographic practice and theory.
In the second year you specialise, engaging with photography in a range of contexts, delevloping your own interests and career trajectory. It includes a set of 4 optional modules to support this.
The final year is made up of modules that encourage confidence and independence. It culminates with an in-depth critical analysis, and an intensive period of self-directed production in which you showcase your creative and professional development by producing a high quality, original portfolio of work.
Year 1
All Year 1 modules are compulsory:
Photography Project 1: The self & the other
Professional Contexts 1: Exhibiting Photographs
Histories and Theories 1: The politics & poetics of looking
Photography Project 2: Location & environment
Professional Contexts 2: Modes and sites of publication
Histories and Theories 2: Space, place & culture
As our courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.
Years 2 and 3
Year 2 Compulsory modules:
- Photography Project 3: Mediation & moving image
- Histories & Theories 3: Media, culture & communication
- Photography project 4: Visual narratives & cultural contexts
- Histories & Theories 4: Ethics, politics and visual narratives
Year 2 Optional modules:
- Professional Contexts 3a: Fashion photography
- Professional Contexts 3b: Photography & branded content
- Professional Contexts 4a: Editorial photography
- Professional Contexts 4b: Photography & the developing world
Year 3 Compulsory modules:
- Photography Project 5: Research & development
- Written Research Project
- Photography Project 6: Independent Practice
As our courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.
Study abroad
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.
Programme changes
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published
on the website. For more information, please visit our
Changes to programmes
page.