BA (Hons) Degree Home Study

Gain the qualification, confidence and skills to stand out from the crowd with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Photography.

Start Date

Can be started at any time

Price

£4,795 (Easy-pay plan available)

Duration

Approximately 27-54 months

Work Placement

Graduates of this course are eligible for a one month work placement with a photography company. All placements are made in the greater London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh areas.

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Study Option
Home Study
Course Level
Level 6 on the FHEQ
Entry Requirements
18 years old or over
Note: If English is not your first language, you must have at least level 6.0 IELTS. Consult our Course Advisors for information on equivalence and other acceptable qualifications or equivalent.
Assessment
45 practical assignments
Awarding Body
University of Chester
The Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Photography is awarded by the University of Chester.

Graduates of this course will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Photography from the University of Chester.

During the first portion of your degree programme, you will be enrolled on the Higher National Diploma. Upon successful completion of this segment, you will receive a BTEC Higher National Diploma awarded by Pearson Education. In the final stage of your studies, you will be enrolled as a Bachelor of Arts Degree undergraduate student with the University of Chester.

All portions of this programme will be delivered by the British Academy of Photography.

In this degree programme, you will develop a specialised knowledge of photography. You will work closely with a subject specialist tutor who will help you to develop advanced academic abilities and sophisticated professional practice.

Throughout the course of your studies, your tutor will provide support, guidance and in-depth feedback to allow you to progress in your learning and build an independent practice.

Designed around 45 assignments that are delivered through 17 distinct topic modules, this degree programme will provide an academic backbone to your studies which will set you apart in the industry.

During the final two topic modules, you will complete a dissertation and a major project on a topic of your choosing. The dissertation will help you to build a detailed contextual knowledge of theory and practice in a way that meets the high academic standards set by the University of Chester. In the major project, you will apply advanced critical thinking to create and manage a large scale project. The programme encourages the initiative, autonomy, critical analysis, techniques, innovation and professionalism necessary to succeed in the industry and fulfil your career ambitions.

As a home study student, you will have full access to our online learning centre. This contains course materials created by industry experts, including instructional videos, written content and assignments. You will also have access to our popular student forum.

This course can be completed in approximately 2 and a half to 4 years. Students have up to 6 years to complete the course.

If you have previously completed a Higher National Diploma in Photography or an equivalent qualification, you may be eligible to enrol onto the final year of the degree programme. Please contact us for further details.

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Topics

The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.

    • Photographic Practices

    Learn the key skills to operate your own camera in manual mode and to understand the importance of composition in relation to the intended outcome of an image. Gain the confidence to use your camera settings to create the best possible manually produced photographs. Indicative content:

    • Using your camera in manual mode
    • Exploring composition in relation to intentions
    • Exposure manual settings for aperture, focal length, perspective, metering, selective focus, white balance and exposure compensation
    • Using a zoom lens (example 24-70mm/24-100mm)
    • Lighting for Photography

    Explore a variety of lighting techniques to perfect your photo shoots. Gain an understanding of how to analyse your intentions for the shoot to allow you to plan processes and equipment for your photoshoots. Indicative content:

    • Experimenting with lighting techniques and lighting equipment (studio, flash and natural lighting)
    • Developing lighting layouts and diagrams
    • Exploring different types of lighting for different settings and context
    • Understanding lighting strategies and conditions
    • Analysing creative intentions in relation to contextual photography
    • Techniques & Processes

    Develop the techniques and processes that will allow you to successfully tackle photography projects from the first meeting with a client to the final presentation of design work. Indicative content:

    • Understanding client briefs
    • Developing creative ideas
    • Using techniques and processes to realise creative potential
    • Developing post-production editing skills
    • Producing visual diaries for development and presentation
    • Contextual Studies

    Research and analyse key historical eras and movements that will allow you to understand the context of contemporary photography. Indicative content:

    • Understanding the context of historical developments and their effect on modern photography
    • Communication techniques in photography
    • Primary and secondary research
    • Visual and textual analyses
    • Research presentation
    • Critical research analyses

    • Studio Photography

    Explore the practical advantages and creative possibilities of working in a photographic studio. Develop skills in studio practice and create a set of photographs using studio-based techniques. You will learn about:

    • The development of studio photographic practices over time
    • Lighting, sets and equipment used to manage the studio environment
    • Planning and undertaking a studio-based photoshoot
    • Applying post-production techniques
    • Creating a portfolio of studio photographs
    • Printing, framing and mounting photographs for presentation to an audience

    • Location Photography

    Examine the techniques and processes used in location photography. Understand the unique challenges associated with undertaking location-based projects. Plan and undertake a photoshoot on location. Learn how to:

    • Analyse a client brief to identify contexts, logistics, equipment and practices
    • Take reconnaissance photographs, undertake risk assessments and manage permissions
    • Plan and undertake a photoshoot using active and experimental approaches
    • Understand health and safety requirements for location photography
    • Present finished photographs to a defined audience
    • Individual Project

    Apply all the skills you have learned and develop your creative ability by working on an individual project with a set theme and topic. You will be challenged to plan the project from start to finish and to review the skills and processes you used throughout your work. Indicative content:

    • Understanding client briefs
    • Exploring idea generating techniques
    • Developing creative ideas
    • Using techniques and processes to realise creative potential
    • Exploring concepts, materials and processes to develop creative photoshoots
    • Professional Development

    Explore how changes in technology and in response to social and cultural change within the industry impact on the photography profession and the role of the photographer. Reflect on the implications of these changes on your own personal development and career plan. Indicative content:

    • Exploring the development of the photography profession
    • Assessing your own knowledge and skills
    • Identifying areas for personal/professional development
    • Exploring personal career goals
    • Creating a personal development plan
    • Advanced Photography Studies

    Develop your own personalised photographic style and push the limits of your creativity. Explore conceptual ideas and experiment to complete a photography project that reflects your own personalised visual language and approach to photography. Indicative content:

    • Developing your personal style
    • Applying project management techniques
    • Presenting photographic work to communicate a personal style
    • Evaluating audience responses to photographic work

    • Event Photography

    Develop skills in the area of event photography. Understand the importance of planning, networking and developing good codes of conduct in order to successfully undertake a photoshoot for an event. Learn how to:

    • Explore the creative opportunities and ethical requirements of event photography
    • Develop a contract for an event photography project based on client needs
    • Explore event photography techniques and processes
    • Plan, organise and undertake a photoshoot for a local event
    • Use post-processing tools and techniques to prepare final images
    • Present a collection images of an event and collect audience feedback

    • Photojournalism

    Understand the value of photography in current affairs. Examine the differences between photojournalism and documentary photography. Develop a personal approach to photojournalism that considers equipment, ethics, subject interests and research practices. Use your skill-set to complete a photojournalism project. Learn how to:

    • Understand how society and technology has shaped photojournalism
    • Identify photojournalism story opportunities
    • Produce photographs that support a clear photojournalism narrative
    • Explore the ethical issues associated with photojournalism
    • Present work in a format appropriate for online or offline media

    • Commercial Photography

    Understand the role of photography in different commercial industries. Examine the difference between business to business and business to consumer photography. Explore the practices and techniques needed to produce images for commercial photography. Learn how to:

    • Develop a brief for a commercial photo shoot
    • Understand business, legal and ethical considerations in commercial photography
    • Understand the relationship between business branding and the visual language of commercial photography
    • Identify equipment, techniques and processes used in commercial photographic production
    • Use project management processes to undertake a commercial photoshoot that responds to a client brief
    • Use post-production techniques to complete a portfolio of commercial photographs that meet client needs
    • Present photographs to a client and assess feedback
    • Applied Practice - Collaborative Project

    Develop your collaborative skills through the planning, managing and presentation of a collaborative project. You will be given a set-theme for the project that will be based on current trends and up-to-date industry practices. Indicative content:

    • Building collaborative skills
    • Developing a project plan
    • Managing a collaborative project
    • Working creatively in a collaborative environment
    • Presenting collaborative work
    • Evaluating own work and the work of others
    • Professional Practice

    Learn how to analyse the strengths and weaknesses within your own work and develop a career plan with the help of your tutor. Indicative content:

    • Evaluating skills and abilities
    • Exploring career opportunities
    • Creating a career plan
    • Developing a business plan
    • Creating a portfolio
    • Developing a CV/Resume
    • Preparing for presentation/interview
    • Dissertation

    The dissertation is a structured piece of writing that pushes the boundaries of our knowledge on a subject. In this module, students will become experts in an area of photography by writing a dissertation on a topic they would like to explore in detail. With the guidance of a tutor/dissertation supervisor, students will investigate this topic in detail and will use a range of research methods to collect evidence, develop convincing arguments and create new and exciting insights about photography. Students will be encouraged to link their discoveries in this module to their major project.

    • Major Project

    In this module, students will identify, develop, critically reflect and publish a portfolio of work for a large scale photography project. This project will allow students to apply the knowledge and skills they have built to date to an area of specialist interest to them. Students are encouraged to use the research completed in their dissertation to inform their work. They are also encouraged to embrace their artistic abilities to push the boundaries of conventional photography.

    The module allows the students to create a body of work which is representative of their creative aspirations but also showcases their ability to manage a project from concept to completion.

    • The Exhibition

    This module is the culmination of the student's work. Students will have the opportunity to exhibit the work they completed for their major project, in a format of their choosing. By planning, curating and hosting an exhibition students will develop management skills, collaborate with key stakeholders and develop networks with peers, potential customers and other industry professionals. Students are encouraged to produce a physical exhibition, although options to create a virtual exhibition can be considered if it is necessary for their creative and professional intentions.

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Tutors

All our tutors are photography professionals working in the industry.

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I absolutely recommend the course for anyone who's serious about progressing their photography.

Student testimonial

Wayne Crichlow

Student

I would definitely recommend this course to everyone who's interested in photography.

Student testimonial

Maria Vallahis

Student

I had great communication with the tutors all the way through the assignments.

Student testimonial

Keith Tomlinson

Graduate

I had a lot of support from the Academy itself - you could always ring and speak to somebody.

Student testimonial

Shelley Costello

Graduate

I've learned so much and the pictures I'm taking are better than what I've taken over the last 25 years.

Student testimonial

Adrian Suckling

Student

The British Academy of Photography

Our philosophy at the British Academy of Photography is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.

Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!

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Choosing the right course

We offer a range of photography courses to suit your goals.

Why not contact our experienced staff for advice, or browse to our other courses.

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