Wolverhampton School of Art

BA (Hons) Photography with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

Be part of one of the longest-standing Photography courses in the UK and prepare for success in the Creative Industries. 

Be part of one of the longest-standing Photography courses in the UK and prepare for success in the Creative Industries. 

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
15 September 2025
UCAS Code
W641
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Images are inseparable from contemporary life, defining cultural trends, raising political awareness, and shaping ethical responsibility. On this course, you will become a technically confident and critically engaged photographer, with the freedom and tools to explore your creative identity. 

You will master complex photography workflows, learn to articulate your visual ideas with clarity, and gain the skills to meet the real-world demands of the Creative Industries. As a contemporary photographer, you will forge a dynamic professional profile, giving you the confidence to control how your images are used across a diverse range of contexts. Through live briefs and graduate awards, you will unlock invaluable opportunities within the professional landscape. Our graduates have gone on to excel in the creative industries, with successful careers ranging from internationally exhibiting artists to holding top managerial positions at global brands such as Vice, Google, and Apple. Take a look at our industry standard photography facilities.

Professional Skills  

You will acquire specialist knowledge in both analogue and digital photography, mastering complex lighting techniques for studio and location setups, advanced post-production workflows, and creative layouts. Engaging with traditional and innovative processes, you will explore professional-grade printing methods, alternative and experimental techniques, interactive portfolios, exhibition curation, and work publishing.  

With access to an extensive range of professional-grade equipment, including high-end digital and film cameras, lightweight and versatile lighting kits, darkrooms, editing suites, and state-of-the-art studios maintained to industry standards – you will develop the technical and creative expertise required to thrive in the competitive Creative Industries.   

   

Project Development & Careers  

Success in the Creative Industries requires a balance of technical innovation, creative vision, and adaptability. This course will enable you to tackle briefs and work on real-world projects that align with industry standards, providing hands-on experience across diverse career pathways.  

Working toward publishable and exhibition-ready outputs, you will receive comprehensive support to develop careers in areas such as fine art, advertising, editorial, fashion, music, cinematography, documentary, photojournalism, and sports photography. Collaboration is a cornerstone of the course, with opportunities to work with curators, designers, magazine editors, musicians, actors, and athletes – fostering professional networks that will advance your career. Exclusive graduate awards, developed in partnership with globally recognised organisations, will propel your career forward.   

What's unique about this course?

1. Real-World Experience 
Work on live briefs, participate in collaborative projects, curate exhibitions, and present interactive portfolios that meet the expectations of today’s employers. 

2.     Mastery of Industry-Standard Techniques 

Operate professional equipment and software to an industry-standard level, ensuring your technical expertise sets you apart in a competitive job market. 

3.     Professional Networking Opportunities 
Collaborate with curators, designers, editors, and other creatives, to develop valuable industry connections and open doors to potential career opportunities. 

4.     Entrepreneurial and Freelance Skills 

Focus on self-promotion, branding, and marketing, to prepare confidently for a sustainable career. 

5.     Global Perspectives and Inclusivity 

Engage with internationally relevant projects, collaborations, and opportunities to develop a global outlook and connect with diverse audiences and markets. 

6.     Career Pathways and Progression Tailored career-focused support to help you achieve your goals, within the creative industries, including fine art, advertising, editorial, fashion, sports, photojournalism, or other specialisms.  

What happens on the course?

Our BA (Hons) Photography course seamlessly combines creative exploration, technical mastery, and real-world experience, empowering you to define your career, influence cultural narratives, and seize opportunities within the ever-evolving Creative Industries. In addition to fostering technical and creative excellence, this course is committed to supporting diversity and inclusivity within the learning environment. Through engagement with diverse perspectives, you will create work that resonates with a wide range of audiences and contributes to more inclusive visual cultures. 

 

1.     Unleash Your Creative Potential 
Interpret and critically analyse visual narratives to create compelling imagery that engages with cultural, ethical, and political issues, while also addressing themes of inclusivity and social justice.   

2.     Achieve Professional and Technical Expertise 

Gain advanced skills in both analogue and digital photography, mastering sophisticated lighting, post-production editing and experimental techniques.    

3.     Shape Your Career in the Creative Industries 

Engage with live briefs and real-world projects, providing you with practical experience to make your mark across diverse career pathways. 

4.     Build Collaborative and Professional Networks 

Work alongside curators, designers, editors, and other creatives to experience the Creative Industries with confidence. 

5.     Develop Your Entrepreneurial Mindset 
Whether freelancing or working within an organisation, establish your personal brand and learn how to navigate your professional future effectively.  

6.     Embrace Lifelong Learning and Adaptability 

Develop the intellectual curiosity and flexibility needed to keep up with evolving technologies and emerging trends throughout your career. 

7.     Champion Inclusivity and Social Responsibility 
Understand how inclusivity, diversity, and social justice can be incorporated into your work and practice to make a lasting impact on both the visual arts and society.

Level 4 

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The first year of the BA (Hons) Photography program introduces students to the specialist skills, techniques, and critical perspectives essential for contemporary photographic practice. It emphasises hands-on exploration of photographic technologies, creative experimentation, and critical analysis of visual culture. Students are encouraged to consider social responsibility in their work, beginning to explore how diverse perspectives and ethical considerations influence the creation and dissemination of images. Level 4 equips students with the technical proficiency, conceptual understanding, and critical thinking to progress confidently into more specialised and advanced areas of study in subsequent levels. 

Level 5 

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In the second year of the BA (Hons) Photography program, students enhance their technical expertise and conceptual understanding while engaging with professional practices and critical analysis. This stage emphasises industry readiness, collaborative work, and the exploration of photography's cultural and societal impacts. Students are encouraged to integrate inclusive practices into their work, fostering an understanding of how diverse voices and representations can shape creative outcomes. Level 5 expands on specialist skills, encouraging students to integrate theory with practice while preparing for professional applications in the Creative Industries. 

Level 6 

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The final year of the BA (Hons) Photography program emphasises independent practice, critical enquiry, and professional preparation. Students focus on producing a cohesive body of work that integrates their personal vision, theoretical research, and audience engagement, while also preparing for careers in the Creative Industries. Students are encouraged to challenge traditional norms and engage with social justice, inclusivity, and diversity through their work, preparing to create responsible, impactful images in a global context. Level 6 equips students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the professional world, offering a strong foundation for future careers or postgraduate study. 

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Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Graduates from this course have gone on to careers in: 

  • Fine Art Photography 
  • Editorial Photography 
  •  Commercial and Advertising  Photography 
  • Fashion and Beauty Photography 
  • Music and Event Photography 
  • Photojournalism and Documentary 
  • Sports Photography 
  • Food Photography 
  • Architectural Photography 
  • Brand Manager 
  • Advertising and Brand Visuals 
  • Exhibition Curation and Gallery Management 
  • Studio Manager and Photographic Technician 
  • Multimedia Specialist 
  • Digital Image Editor 
  • Marketing and Visual Content Creation  
  • Cinematography and Creative Direction 
  • Postgraduate study in Photography or the Creative Arts 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

We offer the space, technology, and support you need to explore photography at a professional level. Our comprehensive photography facilities give you the freedom to explore, create and perfect your visual work across traditional and digital formats. 

You’ll have access to: 

  • Large professional studios with controllable lighting and backdrops 
  • Darkrooms for fine printing and alternative techniques 
  • Fully equipped digital editing suites with calibrated monitors and Adobe CC 
  • High-end digital and film cameras available for student use 
  • Specialist lighting for studio and kits for location shooting 

This course provides the flexibility to explore your style and interests, the support to push boundaries, and the facilities to bring your creative ambitions to life. We’ll help you build a strong portfolio, connect with industry professionals, and prepare for a career that’s as individual as your work. 

By the end of the course, you’ll have a diverse technical and creative skillset, and the professional insight to thrive across the Creative Industries. You’ll develop: 

  • Studio lighting and location-based image-making 
  • Digital and analogue camera operation 
  • Film processing, darkroom printing and alternative photographic methods 
  • Advanced post-production and retouching techniques 
  • Visual storytelling and sequencing for editorial, fashion or documentary applications 
  • Project development, time management and creative direction 
  • Critical awareness of representation, identity, and ethics in image-making 
  • Entrepreneurship and self-promotion strategies 
  • Digital publishing and interactive portfolio building 
  • Collaboration and creative problem-solving 
  • Confidence presenting and exhibiting work to public and industry audiences 

This is a course for image-makers who want to shape the future of photography. With expert teaching, real-world insight, and outstanding facilities, you'll graduate ready to build your creative career and share your vision with the world. 

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
Home Part-time £4768 per year# 2025-26
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Prepare for Foundation Pathway:- We will consider applicants who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course. If you would like more advise and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact the Gateway team to discuss and support you in making an application to us.

Contact the Gateway - University of Wolverhampton (wlv.ac.uk)

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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