Photography degree – BA (Hons)

Program Overview

Emphasizing individual interests and abilities, the program offers opportunities to work on live briefs, participate in industry workshops, and collaborate with organizations like the Royal Photographic Society. Blending traditional methods with new technologies, the program prepares graduates for diverse careers in photography, from photojournalism to art direction.

Program Outline

The program emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning, focusing on developing individual interests and abilities. It offers opportunities to work on live briefs and participate in professional workshops with industry partners. The program boasts strong links with organizations like the Royal Photographic Society and the Association of Photographers.

Outline:

Content:

• The curriculum is broad, with an emphasis on practical learning.
• It covers a range of photographic contexts, including fashion, documentary, landscape, portraiture, and editorial.
• The program explores both analogue and digital techniques, acknowledging the impact of digital technological change on photography.
• It utilizes new technologies while maintaining a strong foundation in traditional methods.

Structure:

• The program is a three-year full-time course, with a four-year full-time option including a professional placement year.
• Part-time study is also available.

Course Schedule:

Year One (Level 4):

• Photographic Practice 1: The Photographic Image: Introduces fundamental photographic principles and practice.
• Photographic Practice 2: Identity and the Camera: Explores the relationship between identity and the camera.
• Photographic Practice 3: Image and Context: Examines the context of photographic practice within the creative industries.
• Photographic Practice 4: Perception of Place: Focuses on the photographic representation of place.
• Professional Contexts 1: Provides an introduction to professional contexts in photography.
• How Did We Get Here?
• : Contexts of Photography: Explores the historical context of photography.

Year Two (Level 5):

• Photographic Practice 5: Narrative: Fact: Develops skills in documentary photography.
• Photographic Practice 6: Narrative: Fiction: Explores narrative photography in a fictional context.
• Photographic Practice 7: Object, Figure, Space: Focuses on the photographic representation of objects, figures, and space.
• Professional Contexts 2: Provides further exploration of professional contexts in photography.
• We Are Here: Photography in the 21st Century: Examines contemporary photographic practice.
• Professional Placement Year (Optional): Provides an opportunity for students to gain professional experience in the field.

Year Three (Level 6):

• Individual Practice: Portfolio 1: Students develop their individual photographic practice and create a portfolio of work.
• Individual Practice: Portfolio 2: Students continue to refine their individual practice and create a second portfolio.
• Individual Practice: Major Project: Students undertake a major project, culminating in a public exhibition of their work.
• Professional Contexts 3: Provides a final exploration of professional contexts in photography.
• Situating Practice: Final Project: Students develop a final project that situates their practice within a broader context.

Modules:

• Photographic Practice 1: The Photographic Image: This module introduces students to the fundamental principles and practice of photography.
Students will learn about the history of photography, different photographic techniques, and the technical aspects of image-making.
• Photographic Practice 2: Identity and the Camera: This module explores the relationship between identity and the camera.
Students will learn about the different ways that photography is used in advertising, fashion, journalism, and other fields.
• Photographic Practice 4: Perception of Place: This module focuses on the photographic representation of place.
Students will learn about how photography can be used to capture the essence of a place, and how different photographic techniques can be used to convey different perspectives.
• Professional Contexts 1: This module provides an introduction to professional contexts in photography.
Students will learn about the key developments in the history of photography, and how these developments have shaped the way we see and understand the world.
• Photographic Practice 5: Narrative: Fact: This module develops skills in documentary photography.
Students will learn about the different techniques that can be used to tell a story through photography, and how to create compelling and engaging images.
• Photographic Practice 6: Narrative: Fiction: This module explores narrative photography in a fictional context.
• Photographic Practice 7: Object, Figure, Space: This module focuses on the photographic representation of objects, figures, and space.
Students will learn about how to create images that are both visually appealing and conceptually interesting.
• Professional Contexts 2: This module provides further exploration of professional contexts in photography.
Students will learn about the different ways that photography is used in the contemporary world, and how to develop a successful career in the industry.
• We Are Here: Photography in the 21st Century: This module examines contemporary photographic practice.
Students will learn about the latest trends in photography, and how these trends are shaping the way we see and understand the world.
• Professional Placement Year: This module provides an opportunity for students to gain professional experience in the field.
Students will work with a variety of organizations, and will gain valuable experience in the industry.
• Individual Practice: Portfolio 1: This module allows students to develop their individual photographic practice and create a portfolio of work.
Students will be encouraged to explore their own interests and develop their own unique style.
• Individual Practice: Portfolio 2: This module allows students to continue to refine their individual practice and create a second portfolio.
Students will be encouraged to experiment with different photographic techniques and to develop their own unique voice.
• Individual Practice: Major Project: This module allows students to undertake a major project, culminating in a public exhibition of their work.
Students will be encouraged to develop a project that is both ambitious and innovative.
• Professional Contexts 3: This module provides a final exploration of professional contexts in photography.
Students will learn about the different ways that photography is used in the contemporary world, and how to develop a successful career in the industry.
• Situating Practice: Final Project: This module allows students to develop a final project that situates their practice within a broader context.
Students will be encouraged to think about the social, political, and cultural implications of their work.

Assessment:

• Assessment is entirely by coursework.

Teaching:

• Teaching takes place through critiques, tutorials, presentations, lectures, self-directed learning, and peer review.
• The program is delivered by a team of full-time and visiting specialists who are active practitioners and researchers in the field.

Careers:

• Graduates of Photography at Bath Spa University have entered careers in:
• Photojournalism
• Fashion photography
• Product photography
• Portrait photography
• Photo editing
• Editorial design
• Advertising
• Curation
• Art direction
• Marketing
• Studio management
• Students have the opportunity to participate in local and international fieldwork opportunities.
• The program works closely with industry partners and associations, such as the Royal Photographic Society and Fox Talbot Museum.
• Students can apply for The Porthleven Prize, a fully-funded residency in a Cornish studio.
• Full-time undergraduate students can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship.
• The program is one of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, providing students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.
• Students have access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:
• The well-stocked library at Newton Park.
• Specialist technical workshops across all art and design disciplines.
• Studio space for project work and practice refinement.
• The program has excellent studio spaces and workshop facilities in specialist craft areas, such as darkrooms, lighting studios, photo etching, photo publishing, and digital print.
• Locksbrook Campus is a Grade II listed building designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in 1976.
It has been transformed into an innovative, open plan space, redesigned to meet 21st-century environmental standards.
• Locksbrook has received both a RIBA South West Award 2021 and RIBA National Award 2021, recognizing its inspirational design.

2024 entry Student Annual tuition fee UK full time £9,250 UK part time £9,250 International full time £17,585 Professional Placement Year During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students. UK: £1,850 International: £3,517