Level: Undergraduate
Study Mode: Full-time / Part-time
Duration: 2 years (full-time)4 years (part-time)
Application: To UCAS (full-time)Direct to the College (part-time)
Application Deadline: 15 Jan 2010
UCAS Course Code: W642
Institution Code: H18
Validated By:

We live in a media saturated society, in which the image has assumed a near universal currency. A recognisable need now exists to provide a work force which is able to adapt to new and emerging technologies, social trends and economic demands.

The Foundation Degree is a highly focused and vocational course that allows students on graduation to assume a variety of roles within the photographic industries. This is assumed to be highly heterogeneous, fluid in structure and normally composed of free lance, self employed or micro–business practitioners. Innovative and varied practice and work-based learning strategies will therefore be employed throughout, enabling graduates to be in a position to work at practitioner or technician level, having acquired a well developed portfolio of skills, knowledge and understanding of photography.

Delivered by a course team with a range of practical, theoretical and professional skills the accumulative professional experience and expertise is ‘fed’ into the course programme enhancing student performance , enabling comparisons to be made and establishing necessary standards to be achieved.

The course programme is modular based, but students are encouraged not to consider each in isolation, but to cut across and compare one with the other, resolving constraints and realising potential. Similarly it will not prescribe the range or level of skills to be achieved but will enable students via a sequence of workshops and practical activity, to develop appropriate skills as determined by them, their work and emerging specialism.

For the purposes of delivery and coherence the course programme is divided into two distinct phases, Exploratory and Diagnostic.

Whilst each is concerned with an identifiable and specific approach and attendant content, the two phases are to be considered as one, forming a matrix of experiences and demands which collectively contribute to the diagnosis and establishment of a specialist area of personal practice.

Each phase is further subdivided into modules in order to refine and define the delivery of the course programme.

YEAR 1
EXPLORATORY

Cultural Studies
Photography in Context
Process and Realisation – Image Capture
Process and Realisation – Image Transcription
Professional Practice – Studio
Professional Practice – Location

YEAR 2
DIAGNOSIS

Cultural Studies
Representation and Meaning
Visual Language – Referents and Ideologies
Applications
Professional Practice – Business Studies
Professional Practice – Work Based Learning

Given that the intent of the course programme is that it should not determine the nature of student activity each module is introduced on a broad basis. With tutorial support it is for students to define, determine and take responsibility for the scope and direction of their particular practice. Accordingly within each student year group it is anticipated that the nature of individual approach would be varied and contrasting, producing as a consequence a vibrant mix of work, generating debate and creating potential for further development.

On graduation you can expect to be in a position where you are able to establish your own practice across a range of photographic activity such as photo journalism, travel, corporate identity, industrial, architectural, scientific, medical, advertising and fashion, exhibition and book publication. A range of non practical options also exist such as studio management, gallery and arts management and journalism.

Alternatively, in order to extend your qualification and range of professional skills, you may wish to consider a third year of study by moving onto the BA (Hons) Top-Up year here at the College.

Minimum age 18
Successful portfolio interview
160 - 200 UCAS Tariff Points
Mature Students with related experience

English as a second language: IELTS score 6.0 or equivalent on enrolment

All applications to our Full Time Higher Education courses should be made via UCAS – for more details on how to apply, click here