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BA (Hons) - Commercial Photography

Are you looking to work in advertising, architecture, sports, fashion or content creation? Want to become a leading commercial photographer?

Our bespoke degree will set you up with the technical skills, business knowledge and confidence to work in the fast-paced, high-intensity world of commercial photography.

At the University of Cumbria, we have created a cutting-edge, industry-led commercial photography degree which is designed to build your portfolio and launch your commercial photography career.

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Carlisle - Brampton Road All

Course Overview

On this professionally focused course, you will study commercial photography at university level, learning advanced photographic and lighting skills in the studios and on location.

You will understand how to use various camera systems and develop capture techniques, allowing you to become a versatile and original photographer.

Digital post-production and editing skills will make your images have impact and be client ready, preparing you to take your portfolio and professional ambitions to the next level.

On this course you will...

Be taught by photography tutors who are embedded within the commercial world and have developed excellent commercial connections and professional expertise. Their clients include Nike, Converse, JD Sports, Pfizer and Panda London.
Benefit from full access to Cumbria’s dedicated, industry-standard facilities. Our four photography studios come complete with lighting rigs and with iMacs set up for tethered shooting in each.
Be able to use large format and 3D printers, with all the tech overload supported by our dedicated photography technicians on hand for support. Our digital facilities are matched by our analogue facilities, giving you the best of both worlds.
Have access to a vast selection of camera systems from 35mm analogue, high-end DSLR and medium format digital cameras to help build your skill set.

Apply

Book an Open Day

Carlisle - Brampton Road All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Brampton Road
Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
Delivery StyleIn-Person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options Integrated Foundation Year
Start DateSeptember 2024
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Brampton Road
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-120

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | year

£13,575

International | year

Course Structure

What you will learn

The Commercial Photography programme has been developed in response to the industry's need for more dedicated routes and preparation for employment following graduation. The commercial degree puts emphasis on photographic and editing skills, the knowledge needed to work commercially, working to client briefs and commissions, concept development, and acquiring and applying business skills. All targeted towards preparing a career path via a recognised industry route or a more entrepreneurial approach of a self-employed photographer. By studying this programme, you will become equipped to design and manage a successful career in the commercial photography industry.

Year one

The Cornerstones of Practice deals with the craft of photographic image capture, both analogue and digital. In level 4, first year, you will study alongside peers on the Photography degree in semester one before peeling off to dedicated commercial photography modules in semester two. Your research and contextual skills will be established at this level through the module Cultural Contexts and you will be encouraged to work on inter-disciplinary project-based problem-solving projects at this level to support you in gaining experience working with other disciplines, as you will need to in your future career.

Photographic Image Capture
Digital Image Production with Lighting Design
Contemporary Image Theory
Cultural Contexts
Collaborative Practice

Year two

Commercial Application attends to developing your specialist skills as a commercial photographic practitioner. This will include business development skills, live briefs, developing your visual style and identifying your audience as well as acquiring wider skills of still and moving image creation and the application of your commercial practice. Level 5 modules are dedicated to your commercial skills acquisition and application; we support you in seeking opportunities to test them out in real-world settings.

Commercial Practice 1
Media and Moving Image
Word and Voice
Commercial Practice 2
Negotiated Live Project
Business Development

Year three

Independent Showcase: here you take full charge of your own practice and bring it into the public domain. Research, practice, and professional skills come together in the final year of study to refine and showcase your personal vision and expression of photographic practice. At this point you will be an independent, intelligent, and competent practitioner with a commercial portfolio representing the breadth of your skill and depth of your engagement.

Blueprint of Practice
Resolution of Practice
Independent Research Paper

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

As a student at the University of Cumbria, you are part of an inclusive learning community that recognises diversity. You will have opportunities to learn by interacting with others in a collegiate, facilitative and dynamic learning environment. Teaching, assessment, and student support will allow equal and equitable opportunities for you to optimise your potential and develop autonomy. The Commercial Photography degree is designed with three themes of learning: commercial photographic practice, critical and contextual studies, and professional development. All three themes interweave throughout your modules and synthesise completely in level 6 where you bring together your interests, skills, and techniques to critically engage with your chosen subject and develop your public-facing profile in readiness for your commercial career. Through these themes, you will be introduced to ideas, concepts, and photographic practices from around the world so that you are supported to become confident in the global arena.

How you will be assessed

Assessment for learning is fully embedded in our learning, teaching, and assessment strategy. The five main principles of this are questioning, feedback, recognition and understanding of success, peer and self-assessment, and finally summative assessment. As such we have designed a programme where inquiry and curiosity are starting points for learning; this is led by your own interests.

You’ll be continuously involved in the assessment of your own work and that of your peers; developing the critical, interpersonal, and team-working skills that are vital to gaining confidence and independence as a creative practitioner.
We have designed authentic learning and assessment methods where we will set work and learning outcomes in tune with the demands of the industry. Portfolios, exhibitions, photo books, mock interviews, etc all give authentic experience and outcomes to your practice.

Overview

104-120 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BCC-BBB

T-levels: P (C+) – M. All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 30 Credits at Distinction, 6 at Merit and 9 at Pass 

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM

Scottish Highers: BBBC - AABB 

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – A2, B1x3 

Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

When we review your portfolio, we are assessing your ability to benefit from the course you have applied for. Any offers are based on your whole application and the review of your portfolio of work.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing Photography and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

All places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio. Please prepare your portfolio carefully to show evidence of your photography, creativity, art work and idea development. There is no one, ideal portfolio and we are used to looking at the work of students from many different courses and colleges.

At interview you have the opportunity to demonstrate what inspires you and what interests you in life and this is what will inform your work and your career as a photographer.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Student and Alumni Work

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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.
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BA (Hons) - Commercial Photography