BA Top Up – Photography

In a nutshell

This final year of the degree in photography (BA hons) brings together creative photographic skills and academic study, allowing you to express your creativity and communicate ideas through photography.

This BA Top Up in photography will allow you to explore and develop expertise in photography that will enable you to turn your passion and creativity into a career path. The course involves one final full time, or two years part time of study at Crosskeys Campus after which you will gain a level six BA (Hons) qualification.

This course is for you if...

... You are creative

... You have a keen interest in photography

... You’re serious about a photography career

What will I be doing?

The BA Top Up in Photography includes everything from commercial photography in areas such as portraiture, wedding, fashion, editorial or advertising, through to fine art, conceptual and exhibition-based art practice. This exciting and innovative course will develop your photographic career and will allow you to become the photographer you’ve always wanted to be.

This photography course allows you to develop your creativity and work towards a specialist area. You’ll gain skills in digital photography and traditional film techniques, as well as in other related media such as moving image, sound, web design, SEO, alternative processes, portfolio building and exhibition expertise. This mainly practical course also develops an understanding of the history of photography, to allow a greater appreciation of the context of photography.

The practical teaching is delivered through a combination of workshops, lectures and tutorials, along with screenings, gallery visits, exhibitions, field trips and an international trip. On the course, we take pride in our links with industry, and provide numerous opportunities for our students to work with creative professionals through client projects.

You will have the opportunity to create your own photographic project, forge your career path with clients and create a dissertation or art and design artifact.

What is expected of me?

The photography degree allows you to enhance your knowledge of photographic technique through a series of challenging practical projects. All practical modules will develop your technical skills and provide stimulating assignments to develop your creativity and improve your skills with the camera.

On the course you will study and research photography and you'll develop unrivalled technical and artistic skills, using dedicated facilities including a traditional wet darkroom, a professional studio, industry-standard computers, software spanning all forms of image manipulation and film, video and web application.

You'll explore still and moving photography, exhibit your work, and you will produce a rich portfolio of work, research sketchbooks, and a dissertation.

To enrol on this course, you’ll need to have completed year two (level five) of a photography FD/BA programme (or other relevant level five FD/BA programme, such as fine art or media), and achieved 120 credits at level five.

What comes next?

This top up course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience for a career in photography or you can continue your education. A BA (hons) will open up wider opportunities in education and employment.

Additional information

You’ll be expected to purchase a good quality digital SLR camera with SD card. Throughout the three years you’ll need to provide display materials, such as sketchbooks and portfolios. You’ll also need to purchase your own prints.

Applicants may be asked to attend an interview, take part in a workshop session, or present a portfolio of work as part of the selection process.

This course is franchised by Cardiff Metropolitan University

Institution Code is C20

Campus Code is 7

DSLR Camera, £300+. Mandatory - N