Photography
BA (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
W640
Start dates
September 2020 / September 2021
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Part time: up to 6 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
112
Overview
On this course you will explore the evolving role of photography in the 21st century while developing a distinct identity as a photographer. This course balances academic study with hands-on photographic practice. Our teaching focuses on photography as a profession and a visual language appropriate for the creative industries. This course will support you in developing a professional practice centered around your passions.
The course is flexible, with the opportunity to specialise in:
- fashion
- still-life
- portraiture
- sports
- interiors
- music
- food
- documentary
- contemporary art practice.
You will learn a broad range of skills from moving image production to concept generation, social media implementation, and analogue and darkroom practice.
You will learn from leading photographers and creatives working within the creative industries. You will gain strong technical, creative and communicative skills, all informed by an understanding of photography as a visual language in the 21st century.
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How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 112
A Level: BBC
IB Points: 30
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
We welcome applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: English Language at grade 4/C or above
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Selection process
Applicants are offered places through:
- a portfolio review. The portfolio should comprise a range of photographic work. Additional visual work in other media and within online platforms may also be included such as Instagram, online blogs, YouTube and moving image. Workbooks/sketchbooks should also be presented evidencing research, reflection and analysis.
- an interview with a member of staff from the programme.
If you are unable to attend in person with your portfolio, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.
If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.
We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Application process
Full time Home / EU applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home / EU applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home/EU students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning home and EU students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
This course is structured around a sequence of six photography projects. Your learning will incorporate creative experimentation, critical and historical approaches, professional standards and technical methods.
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, so that you can 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, personal interests and creative work into realisable, professional propositions. You will develop a range of practical skills in order to do this.
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Learning and teaching
The first year provides opportunity to explore your passions and interests outside of photography. You will use your interests to identify an area of specialisation. This will provide you with the basic skills and insights fundamental to aspects of photographic practice and theory. You will have the opportunity to explore moving image creation, visual narrative, darkroom practice and digital workflow.
In the second year you will develop your specialisation, further evolving your own interests and career trajectory. You will create your own website, an online presence through social media channels and undertake a work placement within the creative industries.
The final year is made-up of modules that encourage confidence and independence. It culminates with an in-depth critical analysis dissertation, and an opportunity to develop a self-directed body of work with which to showcase your development. An end of year degree show will allow you to present your portfolio to industry.
After you graduate
Career prospects
You will graduate with an informed knowledge of the industry and strong technical competencies. Your specialisations and industry understanding will allow you to stand out from the crowd. You will have developed your practice, voice and identity as a photographer and visual communicator. The course has strong links with the creative industries, locally, nationally and globally, who offer a rich network of expertise and support, bringing invaluable first-hand accounts of professional life and offering perspectives throughout the three years of the course.
Potential career options include: photographic practice, publishing, marketing, television production, film production, post-production, design studios, social media, photo editor/researcher, curation, press relations and teaching.
Our Staff
Dr Alexandra Trott
Alexandra teaches topics on art theory and practice, covering Modern, Postmodern, and Contemporary art.
Read more about AlexandraFree language courses
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.
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
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.