Want to start a career in the exciting and fast paced photography industry? On this course you will study and experience a range of new skills in using industry standard equipment to shoot exciting, cutting edge photographs. The course initially covers a wide range of different disciplines and allows you to experiment with a range of ideas and professional kit.
The course covers as much of the photographic spectrum as possible, including traditional darkroom processes, and more up to date techniques such as digital compositing, online exhibitions, and content creation for social media. You will study a range of different photographic disciplines including, fashion and editorial, fine art, and documentary, alongside sessions that support development of new techniques, and employment opportunities.
You will benefit from working with industry experts from the photographic industry where you will learn how to work as a freelance photographer, as well as how to gain employment. This is delivered through visiting speakers, portfolio reviews, and professional pitches.
TYPICAL OFFER
Tariff offer: 48 UCAS tariff points from two Alevels (or equivalent
qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades one of which to be in a relevant subject.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects.
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject.
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject.
GCSE English: English Language grade 4 or above is desirable. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course.
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
Interviews / audition: A successful interview required.
References: An appropriate reference desirable.
Portfolio: A portfolio of work is required.
Pursue a personal specialism and build a career in photography with our foundation degree programme. You will gain the technical knowledge of how to use a variety of cameras from traditional film 35mm and 120 cameras, through to Canon EOSR mirrorless and Fuji medium format cameras and how to make the most out of high end professional kit.
The course is designed to support you to get the most out of your own career aspirations. Initially you will be shown a range of practitioners, their techniques and processes, from which you will explore and refine your own photography. As you progress through the Foundation Degree you will be supported to follow your own direction to create your own work. Throughout the course you will be challenged to push ideas and processes, to stretch your understanding to create the best possible work to set up your career.
Extracurricular activities offered include excursions and residentials such as National Photographic Festivals, as well as residentials to places of interest in Europe.
Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you can progress to study for a third year and gain a full BA (Hons) Photography Top-up Degree
This course is validated by Luminate Education Group
We are proud to work in partnership with
We are part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus initiative which works to forge closer links between TV and Film professionals, production companies, broadcasters and students. Through this initiative you will have access to a range of boot camps, masterclasses and special events, including visits to live sets and studios, industry workshops, visiting speakers and the opportunity to gain feedback on your work from industry professionals. The scheme is encouraged and supported by the broadcasters based in the region, including Channel 4, the BBC and ITV.
We are also members of Film Buddy UK who offer bespoke employability services to encourage, inspire and assist students directly into work experience placements and employment within the Film, Television & Creative Media Industries. UCL Creative Arts students have free registration with the company throughout their studies and have access to live Q and As with some of the world's leading specialists, mentoring support, access to work experience opportunities and FB-1, an online catalogue of interviews and podcasts with specialists from the screen industries.
If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.
The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.
The application fee for applying through UCAS is £27.50.
If you are a student currently studying at Leeds City College, Keighley College or Harrogate College and if all of the following applies:
Then you can make a direct application via the following link:
Internal Students - Direct Application Form
For further information in regards to this please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk
You will study 120 credits per year of the course and the modules may include:
Level 4 focuses on skills and knowledge, giving a flavour of the genres of photography with an opportunity to try out ideas and build the skills needed to be a successful photographer. Skills acquired at this level include practical, employment and academic:
Level 5 (FD) incorporates work experience (this is encouraged in level 4) and collaboration, working with your peers as photographers and with other practitioners within the creative arts. Through this level you are supported to find your own photographic style and direct your photographic trajectory, you evidence this is both practical and written forms:
The course is designed to build upon your previous knowledge and skills in photography and develop your ideas through practical and contextual studies and effectively prepare you for the photographic industry. You will develop techniques to support marketing plans and also understand the ethical and legal considerations required for the industry.
You will develop the following skills:
Benefits include:
Assessments aim to provide you with the academic and practical industry knowledge, skills and development for your future careers as a professional photographer through such methods as:
TYPICAL OFFER
Tariff offer: 48 UCAS tariff points from two Alevels (or equivalent
qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades one of which to be in a relevant subject.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects.
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject.
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject.
GCSE English: English Language grade 4 or above is desirable. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course.
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
Interviews / audition: A successful interview required.
References: An appropriate reference desirable.
Portfolio: A portfolio of work is required.
Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you can progress to study for a third year and gain a full BA (Hons) Photography Top-up Degree.
Job opportunities may include
There are additional costs associated with the practical elements of this programme, which may include:
These costs will be led by the nature of the work that you produce, however you will be expected to meet the costs of production of photographic projects.
For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.
For the latest version of the Leeds City College regulations please click here.
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