BA (Hons) Photography (with Foundation Year)

What you will study

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)

Year 1 provides introductory skills in design and critical analysis will be developed. There will be an emphasis on creative problem-solving and basic research methodologies.

MODULES

• Contexts 1
• Visual Communication
• Light & Lens Based Media
• Contemporary Practices
• Time as Visual Language
• Introduction to Industry

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)

Level 5 will focus on advancement in research skills and design methodologies. You will focus on synthesizing theory and practice, with an emphasis on emerging trends.

MODULES

• Contexts 2
• Visual Language and Cultural Contexts
• Print & Production
• Specialist Study
• Creative Futures: Making a Living

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)

During level 6 study high-level research skills, critical thinking, and professional practice will be the focus. There will be independent projects and your collaborative work will demonstrate advanced understanding and application.

MODULES

• Practice as Research: Photography
• Presenting Practice to Audience: Photography

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the course are 48-72 72 UCAS tariff points but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications, as well as motivation and potential to succeed.

The Photography & Film programme team welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

An admissions tutor considers each application individually. All candidates will be interviewed and asked to display a portfolio of their work.

Experience may also be taken into consideration, particularly for those applicants who do not meet the academic requirements above, depending on the extent and depth of subject knowledge.

Teaching & Assessment

To enable students to develop creatively, formative and summative feedbacks are given.

Formative assessment offering advice on how to improve your work occurs at key points before Christmas and before Easter. This provides time for students to reflect on their progress prior to a final or summative assessment.

Assessment is designed to enable students to participate in the measurement of their own progress. Students will submit a range of coursework including an on-line reflective journal/blog, sketchbooks, design sheets, finished artworks, screen-based work, installations, technical/ production files, essays and audio-visual presentations.

Teaching and Learning

The majority of the active teaching and learning is studio/workshop based and practical in nature supported with lectures, demonstrations, tutorials, seminars and critiques and talks by specialist guest speakers.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our Careers and employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Your degree will prepare you for work in art and design, film and photographic industries and in education.
Photography, like all of our Art and Design undergraduate programmes, has a strong vocational and academic ethos that aims to ensure graduates acquire a range of vocationally relevant skills. Integral to this ethos is the responsibility to ensure that our graduates have a portfolio of abilities and attributes which will allow them to thrive in the 21st century workplace. It takes into account the fact that the future needs of the creative industries are likely to be very different. It therefore aims to prepare ‘independent learners’ who on completion of their studies are able to flourish within increasingly diverse professional contexts.

You will gain a high level of realistic and practical experience of working in the professional creative environment whilst you are on the programme. You are encouraged to initiate, organise and participate in off-site projects and engage in professional opportunities, including commercial activities that have the potential to launch their career in photography.

Many Photography graduates go on pursue careers as:

• Independent film-makers, directors, photographers in large or small companies
• Freelancing or setting up in business
• Independent art practice
• Teaching in further or higher education or in primary and secondary schools
• Gallery or other forms of exhibition work, or as education officers
• Researchers
• Technicians

Further study opportunities are also available at MA or PGCE level.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

You can see the full programme specification here.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our Accommodation to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.

Subject to validation

Courses shown as “subject to validation” are new courses which are in development and the details of these courses are in the process of being finalised through the approval cycle, known as the ‘validation’ process. As soon as the programmes are validated the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of new courses that are still ‘subject to validation’ are approved by the validation process; however, this is not guaranteed and should the course not go ahead as planned, or be significantly amended, you will be informed by the university and assistance will be provided to those who have been offered a place to find a suitable alternative course either at Wrexham University or at another provider.