Art Degrees Online

Students learn a wide range of photographic skills and practices from fine art to commercial. Photo-techniques from analogue to the latest digital imaging are covered.

Graduates of this course will have a well-developed aesthetic sense, strong visual problem solving skills and be technically well equipped to produce innovative, exciting and questioning photo-based work.
Where it will take you

Graduates may work professionally as photographers in areas such as:
commercial, advertising, corporate and industrial either for professional studios or freelance
fine art exhibition and installation
media outlets such as magazines and newspapers either on a freelance or editorial basis
galleries, museums and government
Course components

The course consists of a core of eight studio-based subjects in the first two years, and two large studio-based subjects in the third year. These are supported by a contextual theory component of six subjects, and a minor elective sequence of five subjects. In the minor electives, students can elect subjects from other courses in the School of Visual & Performing Arts, such as Graphic Design, Multimedia, Animation and Visual Effects, Television Production, Acting for Stage and Screen, Design For Theatre and Television, and Jewellery.

The emphasis in the first year is on the acquisition of technical and aesthetic skills for the production of photographic works via both digital and analogue mediums. These skills are underpinned by contextual studies in photo-history, design theory and cultural studies.

In the second year the course concentrates on exploring, extending and building upon technical and conceptual skills gained in the first year. Emphasis is placed on students producing creative works of a high standard. Topics such as advanced digital photography, studio formats and lighting, imaging theories and techniques including critical analysis and interpretation of photographic imagery are introduced at this level.

In the third year students identify and investigate areas of photographic practice of particlar relevance to their career aspirations. These studies are linked and supported by a research seminar program.
The latest facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
digital photograpy facilities
digital imaging labs
analogue darkrooms
lighting studios
public gallery space
Hands-on experience

Students work collaboratively or individually on a range of photographic projects which may culminate in the production of a book, a CD-ROM or DVD, and a public exhibition of the work.
Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (normally 22 subjects).

This exciting, three-year degree course is specifically designed to equip you with the key photographic skills and depth of knowledge required for a career in photojournalism. You will be taught by a professional team of experienced specialists, who combine industry knowledge with theoretical expertise. Relevant work experience opportunities are offered through the opportunity to undertake ‘live briefs’ and professional commissions. To develop your technical skills you will have access to state of the art equipment and facilities.

What you do

The Photojournalism award is designed to introduce you to the main issues and concerns relating to Photojournalistic practice today. Technical skills development in Photoshop and the advanced use of professional digital cameras is combined with an academic understanding of the historical debates and critical theories of photojournalistic practice. You will also learn about the professional practice of the photojournalist by developing your knowledge of the ethical positions and legislative procedures that inform the field.

The award offers you the chance to experience the industry first-hand through work placements and ‘live briefs’ in this exciting industry. The final year of your award offers you the opportunity to propose and direct your own photojournalistic project, which will form the basis of your final Degree Show and portfolio. In addition to visual work you will research a project around your chosen area of study. You also have the opportunity to undertake ‘careers and enterprise’ modules, which equip you with key skills required to succeed within a competitive job-market. Further professional development also includes areas such as; developing your own website or producing video or audio news.

Where next

This course aims to provide graduates with highly vocational skills. You will leave with essential photographic, journalistic and professional knowledge which will equip you to enter the professional world of photojournalism, not only as photographers but also with wider transferable skills enabling you to work in areas such as; picture editing, digital retouching, picture researching, teaching, and studying at postgraduate level. This course aims to provide graduates with highly vocational skills. You will leave with essential photographic, journalistic and professional knowledge which will equip you to enter the professional world of photojournalism, not only as photographers but also with wider transferable skills enabling you to work in areas such as; picture editing, digital retouching, picture researching, teaching, and studying at postgraduate level.

Fact FileQualification:
BA(Hons)
Faculty/School:
Faculty of Arts, Media and Design
Location:
Stoke Campus
Course Length: Normally three years
Entry Requirements: All applicants will be invited for interview to include a discussion about your portfolio of practical materials. All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However a typical three A level or BTEC National Diploma offer will be 200 UCAS tarriff points.
UCAS Code:
Route A WP65, Route B EP65

What our students say

‘The course at Staffordshire enabled me to develop my personal vision within Photography. Thank you to each member of the Photography Department, without these people I wouldn’t be in this position.’

James Pogson (Photography Graduate 2008 and winner of the Jerwood Photography Prize)

‘Photography at Staffordshire University is an intense and challenging course, which constantly pushes you to reach your full potential, whilst giving you the freedom to be creative and dynamic in a supportive and enjoyable environment.’

Charlie Gajda (Photography Graduate 2008)

What it’s about

Photographs are everywhere. The way that we see, understand and think about ourselves and the world around us is informed largely by photographic images. If you choose to study photography you are taking on the challenge of learning about the most important visual medium of our time.

This is a three-year specialist degree award which aims to provide a student with a broad range of photographic skills and a high level of visual literacy. Our approach to photography at Staffordshire University provides the means for you to work effectively as a visually aware communicator, with both individuality and distinctiveness, and with an intellectual flexibility that requires you to adapt to a rapidly changing cultural and social environment. The award’s structure ensures that a student is an informed individual who can critically engage with and understand how photographs ‘function’, through the often complex and diverse usages of the photographic medium.

What you do

From the very outset you will be challenged about your understanding of the medium of photography, how photographs function within particular contexts and communicate messages. You will be engaged throughout with practical photographic assignments some set by us and others proposed by you. Through an extensive lecture/seminar based programme and student centred learning you will consider the medium’s history, contemporary issues and how to engage with photographs critically.
Our emphasis on developing your ability to make ‘effective’ photographs, requires you ask who makes photographic messages, in what way and most importantly, why? No matter what photographic practice you are considering in the future; advertising, journalism, fashion sports or documentary, you will be asked constantly to question images and to make informed judgments about the nature of photographs and their usages.

The award is organised within the University undergraduate modular structure and consists of Core and Option modules. Core modules provide the essential foundation to the degree being studied, and Options from Level Two onwards allow you to select a more personalised route through the award, with the possibility of experiencing other disciplines operating throughout the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design and other faculties in the University.
Generally modules are taught through a combination of lectures, technical workshops, personal/group tutorials, seminars and photographic critiques. All of these processes contribute to you developing ‘the personal voice’ and being confident to articulate your ideas coherently and effectively.

@ Level One: This is designed to introduce you to the main issues, concerns and questions relating to the understanding of what an informed photographic practice signifies. Modules are structured to provide in parallel the teaching of the technical aspects and the development of your conceptual thinking. You will be introduced to the basic technologies and how to research appropriately and effectively.
@ Level 2: The modules here allow for a more self-initiated direction to your practical work being considered and for that direction to be actively researched with regard to future employment. You will be asked to engage with the theoretical issues raised by the relationship between photography, culture and society.

@ Level 3: This is the opportunity to propose and direct your own year of photographic work. This year’s work will form the basis of your Degree Show. In addition you will be involved in the writing of, and visual research for, a catalogue essay as you create an ‘imaginary’ photography exhibition, and for ‘life after graduation’ options to be discussed and researched.

Where next

We believe that photography is primarily a means of communication and therefore the question is how best might you participate in that process? With the skills acquired over three years your choice is not a narrow one.

In an image-rich environment photographers may produce the images, but, if you are visually aware, have intellectual flexibility, initiative and skills in research and writing, you are able to consider many other options that require an understanding of how photographs function and are seen. The list includes; picture research; curatorship; arts administration; picture editing; teaching.