Undergraduate

BA(Hons) Photography

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Cost

    £9000

  • Course code

    W643

  • Institutional code

    H18

Header image - photography BA. Golden bird on white sheet.

Photography does not stand still - it evolves and expands continuously. On this dynamic course you will find ways to grow and perfect your craft– and to make images that say something new about the world. 

Overview


Three years on our BA(Hons) Photography course will give you the technical skills and the professional confidence to bring your own creative vision to live projects and industry briefs.

You will find your own style as a photographer - moving between digital and analogue techniques to craft images with impact and originality.

Discover how to thrive within the ever-changing landscape of professional photography - from fashion and editorial, to fine art photography - through outstanding project support and access to a range of inspiring contemporary practitioners through masterclasses and guest lectures.

What our students do...

Understanding images


We interact with others through images on a never-ending number of platforms. We use them with energy and joy to express ourselves and to connect. 

You will learn the theory that underpins that very human relationship with images, and the technical skills to make meaningful, powerful work. You will discover how to use images to describe, convince, influence, and communicate complex, multi-layered narratives and concepts.

What you will learn

  • Introduction to a number of techniques and ideas related to the world of photography and film making. 
  • Learn to create and post-produce images, short films and sound to a professional standard. 
  • Be exposed to current theories and learn to develop your own visual concepts, based on research and collaboration projects. 
  • Explore digital and analogue photography, experimenting with alternative processes in the darkroom and applying them to your projects.

  • Start working with external clients in live briefs, giving you a first taste of the pace and dynamism of the creative industries and companies we work with. 
  • Continue working on collaborative projects alongside other students from other creative courses, producing images, social media content and short films.
  • Learning to negotiate production and final outcomes and exhibiting your work to a wider audience. 
  • Continue your intellectual journey, applying newly acquired theory to your own personal projects. 

  • Focus shifts to your chosen specialism: ie Editorial, Documentary or Fine Art Photography.
  • You will work on self-initiated projects to develop your personal style and participate, with your final visual outcomes, in industry competitions, as well as preparing your portfolio and taking part on our degree show. 
  • You will have the choice to engage more in-depth with our industry partners and take part in more intense live briefs linked to national clients and local communities. 

Through our Launchgrad scheme you will have access to:

  • Ongoing careers support through mentoring schemes and professional opportunities
  • Invites to show work at Graduate Exhibitions
  • Early access to HCA's short course programme

92.05

In the 2023/2024 NSS Survey HCA students rated the teaching on their course at 92.05. This is significantly higher than the sector average and something we aim to continuously improve on. 

NSS 2024

Who we work with

  • BBC
  • London Alternative Photography Collective
  • Martin Parr Foundation
  • Wildlife Trust
  • Latitude Festival
  • Photo London
  • Ledbury Poetry Festival
  • Foto Frome
  • Herefordshire Council
  • Meadow Arts
  • Picture Me Project
  • The Orchestra of the Swan

Career paths include

  • Art Director
  • Image or Video Editor
  • Photographer (Product, Portrait, Fashion, Documentary, Campaigns & Branding, Landscape, Fine Art, etc.)
  • Photographic Assistant
  • Digital Retoucher
  • VFX/CGI Artist
  • Publisher or Commissioning Editor
  • Picture Researcher
  • Content Creator
  • Curator
  • Videographer
  • Studio Manager
  • Visual Designer (advertising)
  • Media Producer

94 %

94% of of UK photography graduates are employed within 15 months of graduation.

Find your own perspective


In this course you will have an unrivalled level of support from tutors and technicians, allowing a truly holistic and personalised approach to learning. 

You will have the opportunity to explore all elements of the industry, from the experimental to the commercial, and home in on the aspects that inspire you most. 

sDuring your three years at HCA, you will explore personal projects alongside responding to the needs of our external partners and their live briefs. This provides you with the perfect balance of individual exploration and professional practice as you explore still and moving image.

Meet the team

Teaching, learning and assessment

While studying here you will focus on two approaches to photography simultaneously. Firstly, you will develop a true understanding of the craft; exploring new technologies and media, VR, materials, analogue techniques, darkroom skills and printing methods, to name a few.  
 
Secondly, you will learn the real meaning behind images and how they communicate messages, exploring concepts and current trends in photography and developing your own visual literacy. 
 
These two streams of learning are delivered both via practical sessions, where you can apply your skills to real-world projects, and through seminars, where you will be exposed to ground-breaking new thinking. 

Martin Parr - Visiting Lecture

HCA graduates from this course have gone on to work for National Geographic, Wired Magazine, the National Trust, and have won competitions with the likes of Source Magazine, Belfast Photo Festival and the Signature Art Prize

Our Photography BA is enhanced by the knowledge brought from external professional practitioners. Visiting lecturers, speakers and visual artists have included Martin Parr, Chloe Matthews, Sian Davies, Tom Woods, and many more.   

As an institution that focusses on the individual and takes a holistic approach to learning, we pride ourselves on supporting you as a person throughout your studies, to ensure you reach your full potential. 

We understand that at times you may face challenges during your studies, or extenuating circumstances create obstacles to overcome. This is why we make sure you have access to a wealth of friendly advice and guidance that is easy to access and personalised to your needs - help is never far away. 

If you have any support requirements, please explore our pages on learning and disability support, wellbeing and Care Leavers for more information.

Studios and darkrooms

With four photography studios across two campuses, all fully equipped with full-size backdrops and tabletop rigs,  we aim to give all students the resources to build strong photography skills, and the opportunity to experiment with, pinhole photography, photogram photography and light painting. Whether you are on our Photography course or not all of our students will spend time in this invaluable space, whether it be creating stunning portraits or capturing shots of your practice pieces.

Our traditional darkroom allows us to enlarge 35mm, medium and large format film, allowing us to produce traditional silver gelatin prints. We encourage experimentation with alternate print processes such as Cyanotype, Gum Bichromate and Tintype. Explore this fascinating process and develop your skills in our dedicated film processing space.

Media Store

Our media store holds a huge range of high-spec kit that can be checked-out by students across all courses. We are constantly adding to and investing in our stock to ensure students have access to the most-up-to-date kit.

This includes:

  • DSLR cameras
  • 35mm film cameras
  • 120 6×6 medium format cameras
  • 5×7 large format cameras
  • Blackmagic cine camera
  • 4k and HD video cameras
  • Tripods
  • Lenses
  • Location recording equipment including track, dollys, and sliders
  • On/off-camera continuous and strobe lighting systems

1 / You decide what’s in the frame

Develop your own approach without being restricted to Fashion Photography, or Product Photography or limited by a house style - and leave with a professional portfolio that stands out.

2 / Outstanding teaching and access to resources.

HCA scored among the top universities and colleges in the independent NSS survey – with graduates ranking HCA way above the sector average for how teachers explained the subject, how much access students had to subject-specific facilities and resources and how they felt able to explore a subject in-depth and express their opinions and ideas.

3 / Build up your portfolio in a supportive environment.

Through supervised live briefs and projects - and cross-course collaborations - you will get the individual guidance and support you need to become a master of your craft. Develop technical skills and professional confidence through functional experience without having to sit exams.

The lecturers look at us individually and as a group - and tailor sessions to us, whether it’s guest lecturers coming in or live projects. Their enthusiasm alone helps push new ideas forward, and push you out of your comfort zone and go further.

Rosie Redwood, Photography
Photography student being interviewed

You don’t have to schedule an appointment with your course leader. They're approachable. If you want to speak to someone three’s going to be someone available to speak to. Because of that, when you hand in your work, you get a lot of direct feedback. And it’s feedback that you can then follow up on - it’s really good for growth here.

Lewis Sayce, Photography

Course news

The darkroom is your playground

Alongside digital photography, you will be able to experiment with analogue and alternative processing techniques and craft unique images from film. Through this course you will learn how to master the darkroom, exploring the exciting possibilities of film in new and sustainable ways.

Explore all the HCA workshops

Applying to HCA

  • Minimum age 18.
  • UCAS Points: For anyone applying for September 2025 entry and beyond, we are looking for applicants who have achieved at or beyond 96 – 112 UCAS Tariff Points. 

    However, whilst qualifications are important, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We may make offers based on other evidence of talent and suitability for the course –  for more details about UCAS Tariffs please see tariff explanation and advice on the UCAS website

  • Mature students: Applications from mature students with relevant experience will also be considered.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning Opportunities: the college welcomes applications from students with prior learning and/or previous experience. Further details on eligibility can be found on page 15 of our Admissions Policy.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English – proof of IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections (reading, writing, listening & speaking) is required.

If you are unsure or have any questions, please contact us at registry@hca.ac.uk and we can offer further advice on HCA and the UWTSD awarding body requirements.

You can apply at any point during the year directly to HCA, or you can choose to apply via UCAS.

We receive a high number of application all our subject areas so we recommend that you make your application as early as possible.

You can find out out everything you need about the application process using the link below. If you have any questions, just email registry@hca.ac.uk

As soon as you apply, our Registry team will be in touch to let you know they have received your application. At this point they will also send out information on portfolios or auditions.

Portfolios and auditions are a chance for you to showcase yourself in a different way. They give us an idea of what excites you about the subject, and what you might want to explore further on the course. 

We will send out guidance on how to submit your portfolio, or book and audition date, and if you have any questions you will always be able to reach out to us for assistance or clarification.

After submitting your portfolio online, your work will be reviewed by a course lead, and you will receive personal feedback alongside your offer.

Studying is an investment in yourself, and in your future. It’s important to understand the financial support that is available to you, and to be clear about any fees or funding associated with the course you want to study.

Follow the link below to visit our Fees and Funding pages. These pages are designed to help you plan for your future, so you can start your course with confidence in your financial situation.

Everyone’s personal circumstances are different. If you can’t find the information you need, our Student Finance team can offer additional advice.

Term dates (HE)

Term Enrolment
Dates (2024 - 2025) Monday 23rd September 2024 – Friday 27th September 2024
Term Semester 1
Dates (2024 - 2025) Monday 30th September 2024 – Friday 13th December 2024, Tuesday 7th January 2025 – Friday 31st January 2025, Monday 3rd February 2025 – Friday 7th February 2025 (Research Week)
Term Semester 2
Dates (2024 - 2025) Monday 10th February 2025 – Friday 11th April 2025, Monday 28th April 2024 – Friday 13th June 2025

Talk to a student

Want to have a chat with a current student about the course, or about life at HCA in general? Our Outreach team can set that up for you. Just email outreach@hca.ac.uk and let them know which course you are interested in studying.

Email Outreach team

More information

All undergraduate degrees at HCA are validated by University of Wales Trinity St David.

You can view a detailed breakdown of the course content in the Key Information Document.

This can be downloaded below.

How to apply

Everything you need to know about applying to HCA - and starting the next stage of your journey as an artist

Find out more

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