Cert HE Dip HE BA at Media and Communication at Birmingham Southern College
Media and Communication (Media Photography) Cert HE / Dip HE / BA (Hons)
This three-year course is designed for students who want to develop a career as a photographer or in the digital imaging industry.
You will begin by developing key skills in digital and chemical photography and explore how to produce photographs for publication. You will also develop visual literacy and skills in related software. All these skills will be put into practice in the live Production Event, where you will work to produce an exhibition of photos on a particular subject, or produce images to a brief from a magazine, PR campaign, or website.
As you progress through the course you will develop a portfolio in an area of your choice, such as documentary, portraiture, fashion photography, music photography or travel photography, as well as continuing to further experiment with camera technique, lighting and image manipulation. You will also explore the working practices of the freelance photographer as you work within the constraints of professional briefs.
Complementing your practical skills, you will develop a broad base of media theory and analysis skills, looking at the photography industry, image production, consumption, and the images themselves.
The Professional Studies strand of the course will build your contacts in the media, help you find placements in the industry, and improve your employability.
Will I do placements as part of the course?
You will undertake 2 industry placements during your course, at the end of the Year 1 and Year 2. Your tutors will work with you to find placements suited to your interests or specialist areas; the department’s close links with industry mean that students are able to find placements with the top media employers. These placements provide an invaluable insight into working in the media, as well as contributing to your CV and improving your employability.
Entry Requirements
Academic qualifications (shown below) are only part of what we look for in an applicant. You will also need to demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of the public relations industry and ideally some media-related work experience.