I have truly enjoyed my time on the photography course, the support, advice and guidance from the lecturers was on another level, and they really helped me to have a much better understanding of the industry.
Jason
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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.
Develop your creative voice by learning how to take inspiring photographs.
You’ll work alongside our staff, experienced professional photographers, from day one, in industry-standard darkrooms and studios.
You’ll learn about digital and analogue photographic production. The course also embeds excellent project management skills. There are regular exhibition and gallery-based sessions, including the opportunity to exhibit your own work.
Why Study Photography with Foundation Year?
Our course 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.
You will develop your individual and collective abilities, both creatively and technically, to a high level with the support of academic experts in the field.
Our experienced and inspiring team will help you to identify your own interests in photography and enable you to make the most of your creative practice. They'll share their research insights and professional practice so that you are exposed to current and relevant photographic skills and knowledge.
The Guardian University League Tables 2022
Top ten in the UK for student satisfaction for the quality of feedback and assessment in the subject area of Film Production and Photography.
Creative arts building gallery
You can start your journey with a foundation year
All about the course
The foundation year provides an introduction to study at University and also to your chosen subject. You'll learn in a highly supportive environment where you can develop the self confidence, knowledge, skills and understanding for further study.
Entry requirements
Qualification type |
Grades |
| A Levels | EEE |
| BTEC | PPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 points |
| Combinations | A combination of qualifications totalling 32 UCAS points minimum |
For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated web page.
32
UCAS Points
Module information
Please note that the list of optional modules and their availability may be subject to change. We continually review and where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience. Modules will vary when studied in combination with another subject.
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.
All courses are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
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. For each 20 credit module your study time is about 10 hours a week
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. For more information see the individual staff profiles.
Awards
Staff:
- Rob Ball – Photograph of the Month, The National Portrait Gallery
Students:
- Zoe Jackson – AOP Student Award
- Mick Buston – Fresh Faced and Wild Eyed The Photographers’ Gallery
- Matthew Lloyd - AOP Student Award
- Natasha Hemsley – Grand prix de la decouverte: International Fine-art photography award, Paris
- Shaun Vincent – Shortlisted for the Renaissance Photography Prize
The Photography team will support you in your development as a photographer while inspiring you to produce images that stand out.
Rob BallCourse 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.
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.
100% coursework
Your future career
Where Will It 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 2022/23 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK** | Overseas*** | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,250 | £14,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 * | £9,250 | £14,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
* The tuition fees of £9,250 / £14,500 relate to 2022/23 only. Please read the 2022/23 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding 2022/23 tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
**Home (UK) Fees
The fees above are for the 2022/23 academic year but may be subject to change following any announcements by the UK Government (approved by Parliament) regarding maximum Undergraduate tuition fee caps for 2022/23.
In addition, the University reserves the right to increase all full-time and part-time Undergraduate tuition fees mid-course, in line with any further inflationary increase in the Government tuition fee cap which is approved by Parliament. The University will publish information about any changes to tuition fees on its website.
***Overseas Fees (including EU fees):
Undergraduate Overseas tuition fees for International students are not subject to the Government’s regulations on maximum tuition fees.
Students with an Overseas fee status will be eligible for an International student Scholarship fee discount of £1,500, which will be applied to all Full-time Undergraduate courses with a tuition fee of £14,500.
Students with an EU fee status will be eligible for the EEA Transition Scholarship. Further details can be found here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/fees-and-funding/international-student-fees-and-funding
- 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
Diamond Jubilee Scholarships and Bursaries
To celebrate 60 years of transforming lives through education new cash bursary and scholarship opportunities are available for students starting a degree in September 2022. See full details.
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.
Apply now
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I would like to study
Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
W642Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
Email us
courses@canterbury.ac.uk
Phone us
+44 (0)1227 928000
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