Overview
Explore and experiment with photographic practices on our full-time Photography degree at Cambridge School of Art. Choose to study abroad for one semester in the Netherlands, take part in photography field trips, and get support to find work placements. Be inspired by the study of photographic theory to develop your own unique visual language and become a confident, versatile photographer able to promote your work using professional techniques.
- Join a course that scored 93% for „Overall Satisfaction” in the National Student Survey 2019
- Discover the importance of experimentation in photographic practice and develop your own specialism using relevant contextual and theoretical knowledge
- Learn professional skills such as publishing your work in artist books and exhibitions, or promoting your work through social media campaigns
- Use our industry-standard analogue and digital facilities, including colour and b/w darkrooms, high end digital suite and professional equipment loan facilities
- Get additional feedback and advice from current photographers through our friendly student and alumni network
- Receive ongoing support to find placements and work experience.
- Study abroad for one semester in the Netherlands, and apply for funding to help cover the cost
- Take part in field trips overseas to experience photographing different locations – recent trips have included Venice and Prague
On our BA (Hons) Photography degree, you’ll explore many areas of photographic practice including digital / analogue image-making, experimental crossovers, multimedia, self-publishing and exhibition.
Through continuous experimentation, you’ll be encouraged to refine your photographic style and voice, with plenty of opportunities to explore your emerging practice. Our contextual studies lecturers will guide you to specialist research resources in our well stocked campus library. You’ll be able to explore hundreds of photographers’ monographs and access technical and contextual texts, as well as other online resources, to underpin and expand your practice.
You’ll also learn to adopt a professional approach to your photography practice, covering many aspects of career management such as rights issues, project management and self-promotion through social media.
Our optional modules will give you the chance to further specialise your skillset, with subjects including printmaking, digital arts and the moving image.
All your work will be supported by a team of practising photographers and visual artists, who will share their wide-ranging expertise and experience with you not only in lecturers, seminars and workshops, but also through individual tutorial and studio support.
Our analogue and digital facilities will improve your confidence using industry-standard equipment, including colour and b/w darkrooms; continuous, daylight and flash studios; and a digital post production and printing suite. You can also borrow specialist camera equipment for your work using our dedicated loan service.
Through our unique photography student and alumni network, including Twitter and Facebook, you’ll also have the chance to learn from others who have already started on their path towards becoming a professional photographer.
Careers
Our BA (Hons) Photography will help you prepare for work in the photographic, creative and media industries, or for self-employment as a photographer or artist.
Careers events
We hold regular career development events which you can take part in while you’re studying with us. Our recent guest speakers have included Tom Hunter, Jane Hilton, Tim Flach, Hannah Starkey, Carole Evans, Alastair Levy, Mike Crawford and Lillian Wilkie.
Work experience
We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
You can choose to take up either formal or informal work placements that will help you establish your own professional network, including opportunities such as working for magazines, galleries and photographers.
Around the university you can also take advantage of many opportunities to use and promote your skills, such as working with staff and students to photograph their events, while our dedicated student employment bureau will help you find photographic jobs both in and outside university.
Find out more about our placements and work experience, or the faculty’s employability support.
Modules & Assessment
Year one, core modules
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Photographic Practice and Context 1
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Photography: Post Production Workflow
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Photographic Practice and Context 2
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Photography: Multimedia Practice
Year one, optional modules
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Introduction to Photographic Studio Practice
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English for Study 1
Year two, core modules
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Photographic Portfolio Practice
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Photography: Professional Development
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Debates and Practices
Year two, optional modules
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Identities
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Business for the Creative Arts
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Text and Image
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Site-specific Work
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Printmaking: Photographic Processes
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Contemporary Digital Approaches
Year three, core modules
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Specialised Experimentation and Practice in Photography
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Major Project
Year three, optional modules
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Research Project
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Research Assignment
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Working in the Creative Industries
Assessment
For a full breakdown of module options and credits, please view the module structure (pdf).
You’ll demonstrate your learning through both written and practical (portfolio) work, helping to prepare you for creating your own professional photography portfolio.
Where you’ll study
Your department and faculty
At Cambridge School of Art, we combine the traditions of our past with the possibilities afforded by the latest technologies.
Using our expertise and connections in Cambridge and beyond, we nurture creativity through experimentation and risk-taking to empower the makers and creators of the future.
Our academics excel at both practice and theory, making a real impact in their chosen fields, whether they are curating exhibitions, designing book covers or photographing communities in Africa. They are also regularly published in catalogues, books, journals and conference papers, their research classed as being of ‘international standing’, with some elements ‘world-leading’, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
