This well-established BA Photography degree offers you direct access to the experience of talented hands-on photography tutors.

The course encourages you to generate visual ideas and teaches you the techniques to put them into practice. In a developing image market, transferable skills such as these are recognised as essential career tools for photographers.

The course is delivered by a team of practising photographers, artists, curators and writers, supplemented by visiting tutors and speakers from the photography, arts and media industries. Graduates have been successful as photographers or artists, particularly in cross-over areas of fine art, documentary, fashion, editorial and advertising photography.

The course enables you to develop an independent and self-motivated photographic practice. It encourages a multi-genre approach to photography spanning fine art, documentary and commercial practice. The course is delivered through a blend of

• lectures
• project briefings
• tutorials
• technical workshops
• demonstrations
• visiting speakers

Our contextual studies programme is also a key element of the course. Developed especially for photography students, it introduces you to a wide range of cutting-edge and historical photographic practices.

Your development as a professional photographer will also be supported through lectures, seminars and workshops designed to enhance your skills.

You will have an opportunity to visit London-based production facilities such as photographic studios, magazine and newspaper publishing houses and processing facilities. London's art centres, galleries and museums provide wonderful stimuli for project work.

This course is taught at LCC within the School of Media.

Each of the pathways maintains close links with related media industries including: film and television production; print, broadcast and online journalism; photography; media management and music and sound production. Designed within the College's credit framework system, the programme offers a common intellectual core of critical and historical studies, and personal and professional development including for selected pathways an element of work-based learning. You will also have the opportunity to choose from a range of electives allowing areas of specialisation and the opportunity to study outside your immediate discipline.

Who teaches the course?

The course is delivered by a team of practising photographers, artists, curators and writers, supplemented by visiting tutors and speakers from the photography, arts and media industries. Due to our London location we have many top photographers working with us, such as Tom Hunter, Wiebke Leister, Bettina von Zwehl, Carey Young, Esther Teichmann, Anne Hardy, Matthew Hawkins, Ed Dimsdale and Craig Smith.

Learning and teaching

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy. 

Assessment

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations. You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Year 1

• Introduction to Higher Education
• Practice One: Image and Reality
• Practice Two: Medium Specificity
• Practice Three: Photography and its expanded Practices.
• Contextual Studies One: Practices, Histories and Ideas

In Year 1 you develop and research your own photographic based ideas in relation to project briefs, and learn and experiment with the technical skills you need to realize a range of solutions. You learn about historical and contemporary photographic and related practices, and the key theoretical and historical frameworks used to situate them. Informed discussion about photography and its cultural context is central to the course, which is delivered by way of lectures, seminars, and workshops.

Year 2

• Practice Four: Society
• Practice Five: Cultural Machines.
• Practice Six: Dissemination
• Contextual Studies Two: Contemporary Issues
• Collaborative Unit

Year 2 through the teaching of Practice, Contextual Studies and Professional Development builds on the foundation established in Year One of considerations of medium, usage and institutional setting to focus in Terms Four and Five on two of the key themes of contemporary photography, society and culture. In addressing these themes, you may work in any genres or genre combinations. In Term Six there is a greater emphasis on an understanding of the interrelation between the commissioning agency, producer and audience/clients involved in the production of lens media work. Towards the end of the year the emphasis in contextual studies is shifted towards preparation for your selection of a dissertation topic and approach and the initiation of research.

Year 3

• Practice Seven: Major project research and dissemination.
• Practice Eight: Major Project
• Contextual Studies Three: Dissertation

Year 3, the final stage, consolidates and develops your growing ability to direct and plan your own work by producing two substantial self selected pieces of work – your major Photographic Practice Project and a Dissertation. Your Major Practice Project, is firstly explored during your Research and Dissemination of your major Project Unit in which you will try out your ideas and research possible outcomes. Leading to your Major Practice Project where you develop your creative skills. The dissertation is a researched paper on a self-selected topic relevant to photography. The topic is generally chosen to compliment the major final project.

The dissertation provides you with the opportunity to develop a larger set of questions and ideas using skills, knowledge and understanding acquired over the contextual studies units of the course. Through the dissertation you develop the ability to produce a thoroughly researched and appropriately presented piece of extended written work. Both your major project and your dissertation are developed in consultation with staff and according to a negotiated programme.

This final phase provides a variety of forums for debate and critical evaluation of work in progress. As an integral part of the supervision process of major practice projects, skills needs are identified and technical workshops offered in response to individual and group needs.

A huge variety of options are open to students leaving the course. From working as a photographer, assisting photographers, curating, researching, picture editing, agency work, publishing, and each year there are some who go onto MAs in Photography and other related courses.

Enterprise and employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability (SEE) are dedicated to helping you build up work-relevant skills, knowledge, experience and networks throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL's informed engagement with their career and professional practice development and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the wide spectrum of possible professional pathways - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Find out more

ArtsTemps (SEE) is the UAL in-house recruitment agency placing students and graduates in paid temping roles within the University. 

Creative Opportunities (SEE) is the UAL job vacancy and work placement website for students and graduates and advertises hundreds of creative job and placement opportunities each month.

Get more information and advice on employment and creative careers for all UAL students and graduates.

Recruitment and admissions

The BA Photography Course team recognise applicants come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds from across the world. The course in the main attracts students who apply direct from A level or other equivalent qualifications but it also welcomes students from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and other art courses as well as mature students who may have worked in industry. You will have to show a strong interest in photography, ideally with some experience of media practice or of working in a related industry, and an aptitude and talent for Photography. 

Entry requirements (Home/International/EU)

For admission to the BA Photography course applicants normally need:

• 200 UCAS tariff points (gained at GCE Advanced level) will be considered, supported by passes in five other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. 
• Alternatively, you will be considered if you have achieved 1 subject at GCE Advanced level and Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. In addition, the University of the Arts London Awarding Body Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design will be considered.         
• We also accept people with the equivalent qualifications obtained through a National Diploma, Access, NVQ and a variety of other pre-University level qualifications including International and European Baccalaureate. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.
• We also accept those with relevant professional and vocational qualifications.
• The subjects the Course Team will be looking for in your application are as follows: your A levels (or equivalents) would ideally be achieved at grade B or above and should include Arts and Humanities subjects, A level Photography is required.

Other entry routes

We also welcome applicants such as mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this course will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with PhotographyTheory and practice. In such cases students applying on the basis of their previous experience or who wish to enter the course with through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes should apply via UCAS and will be guided by the admissions staff on the AP(E)L processes.

Language requirements (International/EU)

• International and EU students: In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required.
• If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on our International Applications page.
• International applicants, please visit our International Applications page for further details regarding International Admissions.

 Study Abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad website for details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 2249
E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk

Deferred entry

For Home/EU applicants, the Course Leader will determine whether deferred places are available for the course. If you wish to defer your place, it is advisable to indicate this on your application form and/or discuss this with the admissions team and course leader before/after applying at the earliest opportunity. In all cases, deferred places will only be held for one year.

International applicants are normally permitted to defer entry to any programme of study for one year only, after which they will be asked to re-apply.

Admission procedures

The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London.

•  Applications will normally be made through UCAS.
• Applicants will be invited to submit examples of their work. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by a Panel, and will demonstrate (through discussion and close inspection of practical work presented in portfolio or alternative format), their suitability for the course.
• Applicants from overseas, unable to attend an interview may be considered for admission on receipt of relevant equivalent qualifications and a submission of work.
• Recommendations for acceptance are submitted by the Interviewing Panel to the course director. The outcome of interviews is handled by the normal UCAS reporting system.

Student selection criteria - what do we look for?

All applications will be considered by the course team and offers will be made based upon the following selection criteria.

The team will consider three key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

1. Firstly they will look at your qualifications (or projected results).
2. Secondly, they will review your academic or personal reference.
3. Then they will scrutinise your portfolio and personal statement.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in photography and that you have thought very carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You should take great care when writing your personal statement to ensure that it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your biggest chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. It is also an opportunity for you to state what you feel you would bring to the course. Through their personal statement, applicants should show a strong interest in Photography. This can be demonstrated through work experience, studying and personal experience and their ambitions for personal development as a student at the LCC.

Download BA Photography guidelines for applicants (PDF – 69KB)

Portfolio advice

Once you have been given an interview date you need to prepare your portfolio. We advise you to bring approximately 20 printed images from a selection of projects. Please do not bring digital portfolios. Try not to include any singular shots in this selection (put these in a separate book if you really want to show us them, along with technical experiments). We are very interested in your research books and would also like you to bring along a sample of written work. Remember that we are interested in your ideas and how you have developed and researched projects so you can use your research books to demonstrate this. International applicants should submit their portfolio at the point of application. Photos can be submitted in digital or printed format.

Interview advice

If you are invited for interview you can prepare yourself in advance:

• Before the interview absorb yourself in photography. For example, go to exhibitions (if not possible look on web sites), read books, magazines, read reviews of exhibitions and take time to look at images. Make notes about your reactions to any/all of the above and you will have the foundation of the preparation for your interview. If any of these have influenced a piece of your own work then all the better.
• We expect you to be enthusiastic with some knowledge of photography.
• Remind yourself why you are applying to LCC.
• Interviews last about 15 minutes so you and your portfolio need to be prepared.
• In your portfolio you should have a selection of projects, these should consist of a few images for each project not one off images. You might want to think about rearranging your portfolio, thinking of a theme throughout rather than small samples of different projects. The presentation is not fixed; it may all be in one folio or in a selection of books or whichever way you decide is best.
• Practice talking through your portfolio before the interview.
• Students are admitted to the course having fulfilled the necessary entry requirements and on the basis of their potential to benefit from the programme.

Minimum UAL entry requirements

Find out more about the University's Regulations on Admissions.

Please apply through UCAS.

If you are a UK or EU student please call +44 (0)20 7514 6599 or email info@lcc.arts.ac.uk for any admissions enquiries.

If you are a non-EU international student and you are unsure about how to apply, admission enquiries should be made through the International Office (call +44 (0)20 7514 8138).

Download BA Photography guidelines for applicants (PDF - 69KB).

Study Abroad Applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad website details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 2249
E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk