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Overview
Discover and develop your photographic vision on this BA (Hons) Photography degree.
Through research, industry, and professional practices, you'll master advanced analogue and digital photography techniques and engage with multidimensional technologies – such as computer-generated imagery (CGI), photogrammetry, virtual reality (VR), and 3D printing. Our distinctive mix of traditional and modern approaches will empower you to be innovative and shine among others in the competitive creative industries.
After you graduate, you’ll have many career options at your fingertips. Want to work for a business or by yourself on client projects? Planning to pursue a postgraduate degree? Join the 90% of our graduates who have taken these paths (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2019).
Course highlights
- Advance your skills in industry-level equipment and image-processing software that professionals use – including digital media format cameras and DSLRs, Adobe Suite, Capture One, and Cinema4d
- Produce stand-out work by using our excellent facilities – from traditional dark rooms to photographic studios
- Gain valuable professional experience and boost your CV by doing an optional one-year placement – either with a company or by setting up your own
- Broaden your craft and collaborative skills by working with fellow students on other courses in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
- Promote yourself to potential employers by showcasing your work at self-produced exhibitions, industry portfolio reviews, and our annual Graduate Show
- Be in the know of historic and modern photography forms by visiting galleries and festivals in major cities like Berlin, Paris and London
- Build your professional contacts by attending guest lectures and meeting eminent speakers – past ones include Faisal Abdu'allah, Sunil Gupta and Brian Griffin
3rd
for film production and photography in the UK
(Guardian University Guide, 2024)
90%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19)
Read Aurora's storyI wanted to study at Portsmouth because of its beautiful location and vibrant art community. The decision was made when I met the lecturers at my interview; I could see how excited they were about the course, and I instantly knew it was right for me.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Photography
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
Selection process
All applicants will be asked to provide a digital portfolio of work.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our Photography creative portfolio guide.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Careers and opportunities
When you finish the course, you'll have a range of options within the creative industries to start your career. You can also continue your studies to postgraduate level.
Graduate roles
Previous students have gone on to work as:
- studio photographers
- video directors
- picture editors
- retouchers
- photojournalists
- curators
- artists
- fashion photographers
- teachers/lecturers
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Placement year (optional)
After your second or third year, you can complete a work placement to gain professional industry experience and enhance your skills. Placements are an excellent way to increase your employability after graduation.
You can work for a company or organisation, or go independent by setting up and running your own business as a group or alone.
Whatever you choose, you can get full support from our Creative Careers team.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Placement roles
Our students have done placements in a variety of roles, such as:
- Photographer
- Picture Editor
- Junior Stylist
- Studio Assistant
- Archival Assistant
Placement destinations
Our students have either run their own businesses or worked with prominent companies, including:
- Camera Work London
- Miraculous Entertainment
- Dimples & Daisies Photography
- Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust
- Hermione De Paola
What you'll study
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules in this year include:
- Creative and Industry Skills – 40 credits
- Introduction to Photographic Practices and Research – 40 credits
- Introduction to Visual Culture (Photography) – 20 credits
- Photography Level 4 Event – 0 credits
- Professional Practice and Work Experience – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Advanced Skills and Innovation – 20 credits
- Photographic Critical Practices and Research – 20 credits
- Photography Level 5 Event – 0 credits
- Professional Practice and Freelance Experience – 20 credits
- Photographic Practice and Project Development – 20 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Research in the Public Sphere – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Cult, Taste and Collecting – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Performing Identity – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Technology and the Image – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: The Body in Practice – 20 credits
Core modules in this year include:
- Advanced Practice Research – 20 credits
- Major Projects in Photography – 40 credits
- Photography Level 6 Event – 0 credits
- Professional Practice and Graduate Employability – 20 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Advanced Digital Process – 20 credits
- Blogs, Grants and Catalogues: Writing Visual Culture for the Public – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Dissertation – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Research Project – 20 credits
After your second or third year, you can complete a work placement to gain professional industry experience and enhance your skills. Placements are an excellent way to increase your employability after graduation.
You can work for a company or organisation, or go independent by setting up and running your own business as a group or alone. Whatever you choose, you can get full support from Creative Careers, an in-faculty team that can help you find placement opportunities within the creative industries. With their years of recruitment experience and in-depth knowledge of the creative sector, they can help you find placement vacancies and sharpen up your job search profile (including CVs and interview processes), and can guide you throughout your placement year.
Former students have completed their placements in assorted positions, such as:
- Photographer
- Picture Editor
- Junior Stylist
- Studio Assistant
- Photographic and video archival assistant
They’ve either been self-employed or worked for several prominent companies, including:
- Camera Work London
- Miraculous Entertainment
- Dimples & Daisies Photography
- Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust
- Hermione De Paola
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- photography assignments projects
- industry and innovative projects
- professional practice, work and freelance experience projects
- research and development reports and journals
- essays and presentations
- portfolios and artist books
- screen-based and moving image work
- exhibition projects
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- workshops
- lectures
- project
- seminars
- individual tutorials
Teaching on this course has a practical focus.
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, practical classes and workshops, tutorials, fieldwork, project supervision, external visits and supervised time in studio or workshop for about 11 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting your learning
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,100 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You may have to cover the cost of professional finishing of prints and portfolios in your final year. The estimated cost is £250–£1,200.
You will incur extra printing costs on portfolio work of around £100–£600.
Material and production costs vary from around £300–£800 per year.
All study trips are optional and you'll need to cover the full cost of these.
Optional study trips abroad cost around £200–£800. Optional UK trips cost £50–£150.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – W640
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.