BA (Hons) - Photography
Kickstart your photography career on this immersive three-year course. With two-thirds of your time dedicated to hands-on experiences, you'll develop creative and technical skills in both contemporary and traditional photography. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of production outcomes for print and web platforms through various techniques.
Bridge the gap between theory and practice with access to our industry-standard facilities including a black and white darkroom, a Colenta colour processor and three versatile shooting studios, complete with backdrops and lighting. Our dedicated professional photography print room will ensure your creations are showcased with utmost precision, and our skilled photography technicians are on hand to help.
Explore and study photography at university level, cultivating your unique style and preparing for a career as a professional photographer in the creative industry.
Course Overview
The BA (Hons) Photography degree offers the opportunity to explore your creativity and photographic practice, encouraging you to experiment across genres such as studio portraiture, documentary, editorial, commercial, and landscape photography. Whether you're capturing compelling narratives or crafting striking visual compositions, you'll build a strong creative identity, and a versatile skill set that reflects the demands of today’s photography industry.
Studying at our specialist arts campus, you’ll be immersed in a supportive creative community and spend two thirds of your time developing hands-on skills in both digital and analogue photography. With expert guidance, you’ll explore image-making techniques, visual storytelling, and the professional workflows needed to produce work for both print and digital platforms.
We operate an open-door policy and will be on hand to help you hone your work whenever you need us. Our experienced tutors bring real-world insights from current industry practice, helping you stay ahead of trends and technologies. Regular guest lectures, workshops, and industry-led projects provide valuable exposure to professional perspectives. You'll also have the chance to take part in inspirational field trips, collaborative projects, and public exhibitions—preparing you for a successful career in the fast-evolving creative industries.
On this course you will...
- Develop your photographic and editing skills while experimenting during workshops and outdoor activities.
- Work with students across the creative arts, collaborating on projects and exploring new mediums.
- Be taught by industry experts with experience working freelance and within creative organisations.
- Have the opportunity to exhibit your work publicly alongside the work of classmates across the arts.
What Our Graduates & Students Say
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I chose the University of Cumbria because of how personal the photography course felt. I attended a few Open Days at the university with taster sessions, and it became apparent that I could shape my education in photography to my own interests.
Kara Ashurst - BA (Hons) Photography
Kara graduated in 2023 and is looking to complete the Creative Practice (MA)
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I solidified my decision when I attended an Open Day, where I saw the huge darkroom, photography studios, and had firsthand experiences of how supportive the course is, the variety it offers, and the opportunities it provides.
William Niven - BA (Hons) Photography
Student and Alumni Work






Location
Carlisle - Brampton Road Campus
Located just outside the city, right on top of Hadrian's Wall, the Brampton Road campus is full of history, buzzing with excitement, creativity, and a sense of endless possibility. The home of creators, entertainers, rule breakers, and change-markers.
Find out more
Find out more about studying with us
Attend an Open Day at Cumbria
An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.
