Skip to main content

Photography BA(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement year

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

55

About the course

Reasons to study

1. Cinematics and Photography subjects at Huddersfield are ranked top in Yorkshire for Learning Resources, scoring 93%, based on experimental statistics from the National Student Survey 2023.   

2. During this course, you’ll work from fully equipped studios in our £30-million art and design building – the Barbara Hepworth Building – which was custom-built for art education.  

3. Your studies will help to prepare you for a career as a professional photographer potentially covering areas such as fashion, documentary, editorial, generative image systems (AI), film and commercial work.  

 

Interested in visual culture, visual communications, lighting, graphic communication, and art practices? You could explore all the above and more on this Photography BA(Hons), while focusing on the role of a photographer in society.

You’ll also:

  • Explore commercial pathways available to you
  • Delve into the histories and contemporary practices of photography
  • learn how to discuss, present, exhibit and display your work, in person and through screen-based and generative methods.

Why study Photography BA(Hons)

Choose our Photography BA(Hons) and you’ll work with a team of internationally renowned photographers, who bring extensive experience in a range of approaches to image-making and publishing.

You’ll also experience our state-of-the-art photographic facilities, including studios, the latest professional digital medium format cameras, digital and analogue darkrooms and high-quality print and book-making facilities. We provide a professional-standard imaging environment in all aspects of production, as well, giving you the opportunity to produce still and moving images to the very highest professional standards. Experience of such environments is a vital indicator that you are ready to enter your chosen area of the creative industries.

Your time on this course is designed to help suitably prepare you for a post-University career; you could go on to secure a role as, for example, a professional photographer covering areas such as fashion, documentary, editorial, generative image systems (A.I), film and commercial work.

Cinematics and Photography subjects at Huddersfield are ranked top in Yorkshire for Learning Resources, too, scoring 93%, based on experimental statistics from the National Student Survey 2023.

Course detail

Core modules:

Breaking the Photograph

The module aims to introduce you to experimental creative practices as part of the image-making process. Assignments focus on introducing and expanding approaches to producing still and moving image, evaluation and reflection of images produced are also part of the summative submission. You will respond to a number of scenarios surrounding the themes of photographic collage, montage and digital image collision. Initially there is a diagnostic period via peer review sessions which then move towards the early stages of self-directed study, or expression of interest in methods of production and creative realisation. Areas of study: you will be introduced to a wide variety of methods of expression, and be encouraged to engage in a range of image-making techniques that will expand your experience of photography and moving image. You will complete the module with a portfolio of outcomes that explore a range of methods, which evidences practical skills and experimental practices.

Experimental Practices of Photography

The module aims to promote image-based experimentation which, via the application of new skills and approaches, focuses on developing individual responses in the production of still and moving image. The assignment is designed to produce a clear practical outcome, bringing work to a level of finish that will focus on considerations of production. This will consist of a sequence of still images, and a moving image piece. You'll complete the module with outcomes which positions your practical experimentation as the basis of your future practice. Continuous evaluation and reflection of images produced is also part of peer reviews and summative submissions.

Introduction to Critical Languages

This module will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of photographic theory, research and visual culture studies. You will be guided through the fundamental processes of learning to critically analyse photographic imagery. The key concepts of critical analysis will be introduced through a series of short tasks, based on key texts that are explored through historical photographic imagery. You will also be required to evidence the understanding of these key concepts through responses to set essay briefs. Teaching content is designed to introduce you to the importance of independent research strategies, and informed opinion. There will be regular opportunities for you to present findings to your peer group, to help build confidence and skills of communication through regular practice and feedback. The module aims to promote the important role that critical analysis and research has in building knowledge of individual photographic practice. Within the process of learning about the subject and having the opportunity to communicate this, you begin to formulate your own relationship to an expanded field of photography. Each task focuses on embedding critical practice as part of the skills and abilities required to progress through the course. The summative submission is a portfolio of the tasks that have been part of the learning activities throughout the module.

Introducing Techniques of Photography

This module provides the opportunity for you to create photographic images with a relevant level of practical and technical competency and knowledge. This begins with a series of workshops, demonstrations and supervised practice. Throughout the module there are a number of formative tasks which provide foundations of practice in both the still and moving image. Formative tasks provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your developing skills as well as developing new ones. The module aims to promote the important role that technique has in building individual practice. Technique is understood as the creative application of technical skill. The demonstrations are designed to introduce you to technical processes and skills, whilst the workshops provide the opportunity to discuss, evaluate and reflect on your own technical applications. The tasks are designed to instill and build on core foundations of making both still and moving images. The final submission is a portfolio of tasks which have been part of the learning activities throughout the module.

Entry requirements

BBB-BCCat A Level or equivalent.

120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level.

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Pass in Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design combined with A Level or BTEC qualifications, to total an equivalent of 120-104 UCAS tariff points.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Applicants will be invited to attend an Applicant Visit Day, at which you will have the opportunity to present and be given feedback on your portfolio.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Placements


The course offers an optional one-year (36 weeks minimum) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Students on the course have previously taken up placement opportunities with companies including: Photography Works – Mirfield; Box Photographic – Huddersfield; Flawless Photography Studios - Manchester and Chique Photography - Huddersfield.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year here.

You can find out more information on placements here.

My first placement was as an Assistant Photographer in Northumbria and my second was in Palma, Spain where I was the only photographer for a gallery. I would highly recommend people to take the opportunity to do a placement year.

Profile photo of Jessica Sanderson

Jessica Sanderson, Photography BA(Hons), current student

Student Work

A gallery of work by our Photography students and graduates. Click on each image to find out more.

Your career


This course aims to help you develop the skills needed to go in to roles such as freelance photographer, studio photographer, art director, visual stylist and image maker or manipulator. Previous students have also gone on to work in curatorial scenarios, and galleries or museums, as picture editors and archivists, or as part of social engagement programmes and finally some progress to postgraduate study. This is also a suitable first degree for entry into teacher training. In addition, there is support for students in setting up their own companies.

Some companies our graduates have gone on to work for include JD Sports, Fisheye Studios, Next and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust in clinical photography.** 

 

*Percentage of our undergraduate students from this course go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

Source: **GEMS

90% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.