Overview
A foundation year helps you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education when you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject.
Immerse yourself in the world of photography and art with a Photography degree at Canterbury Christ Church University.
Using industry-standard darkrooms and studios you’ll be encouraged to explore many areas of the intricate photographic process. From analogue portraiture to studio still life, experimental processes to high quality commercial image making, this dynamic degree will introduce you to a range of photographic elements.
This Photography degree will open your eyes to different aspects of photography and help you understand images from a fresh perspective. From developing practical photographic skills to exploring visual research, this specialist course will enable you to understand and appreciate photography as a means of communication and creative expression.
What's more, staff are on hand to nurture your development as a practitioner, whilst offering exciting opportunities to exhibit your work and gain real world insight from our roster of guest speakers. You'll be taught by a team of experienced professional photographers who will guide and support you on this dynamic and friendly course.
With an emphasis on collaboration and employment, you'll graduate with the specific and transferable skills needed to enter a graduate role. Whether you want to focus on documentary photography or delve into different types of media, this degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to enter a career in the creative industries.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
90%
of our Photography students were satisfied with the teaching on their course
National Student Survey 2024Why study Photography at CCCU?
of our Photography students were in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course.
Graduate Ourcomes Survey 2024
Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2025
Top 20
in the UK in the subject area of Art and Design.
Entry requirements
64
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | DDE |
| BTEC | MPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | TBC |
More information
Contact us
Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week.
Seminars in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your academic personal tutor.
You will use industry-standard software. You will have access to specialist facilities throughout your course.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For the Dissertation in year three, you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of the course team. You will meet with your supervisor regularly.
Your overall workload typically consists of 12 contact hours per week. You'll undertake 18 hours per week of independent learning and assessment activity. In addition, there will be field trips.
The team consists of highly qualified academics, who have interests and experience in diverse areas of photography.
All of the teaching team hold teaching qualifications and are research active, sharing a range of expertise and experience. They all have experience in delivering research-informed teaching.
The Photography team will support you in your development as a photographer while inspiring you to gain the skills to define your own professional practice.Miranda HuttonCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
The Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy for BA Photography has been carefully reviewed to meet the programme learning outcomes, specifically recognising the critical importance of the nine principles of the University Teaching and Learning and the AA Subject Benchmarks. Approaches to learning, teaching and assessment have also been influenced by changes to the discipline of photography intersecting themes of Employability; Internationalisation; Widening Access; Inclusion and Participation; Sustainability; Partnerships and Community; Student and Staff Wellbeing; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Digital Experience. While individual modules will focus on the delivery of specific skills and learning content, the learning and teaching strategy for BA Photography course will more generally revolve around the following overarching principles:
- Workshop/lecture delivery expanding on existing level appropriate knowledge.
- Discussion, through group seminars and collaborations, of current trends and changing contemporary debates within photography.
- Assignments which allow students to display independence of study within a supportive environment
- Assessments which allow students to develop specialist understanding of the medium of photography.
The BA (Hons) Photography Course will be assessed entirely by coursework. The course provides you with opportunities to develop your work and receive ongoing feedback before you submit your assessed work which will count towards your final mark. Each module contains a number of feedback sessions (either through critique or tutorial) to give you formative feedback on the work that you produce. During this phase, work will not be assessed formally as this is part of developmental process and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or 'summative' assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, portfolios, critical research journals, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:
Year 1*
100 % Coursework
Year 2
100% Coursework
Year 3
100% Coursework
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor. We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in
*You must achieve a pass mark of 40 and above in all Year 1 compulsory modules as a prerequisite, before progression to Year 2 optional modules.
Your future career
Where will a Photography degree take me?
- Editorial/fashion photography
- Advertising image creation
- Curation or art buying
- Gallery or project management
- Academia/research (MA, PhD)
- Teaching (PGCE)
- Writing
- Retouching/post-production/digital imaging
- Picture editing/video editing
- Documentary/fine art photographer or visual artist.
A foundation year provides an introduction to academic study and life at university, supporting every student to achieve their full potential.Martin WattsFoundation Year Course Director
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £5,760 | £15,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
The tuition fees relate to 202526 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom-based subjects, as set by the UK Government.
Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
BA (Hons) Photography is accredited by the Association of Photographers (AoP)
Specialist facilities
Industry standard studios, darkrooms, Mac suites and digital printing facilities.
Industry links
Alongside being accredited by the Association of Photographers the university employs successful photographic practitioners to deliver talks and workshops, further enhancing and embedding industry knowledge. In every year of study there is a module dedicated to professional practice whereby students gain valuable experience and knowledge of working in the industry.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
W642Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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