Art Degrees Online

Course aims

The HND Photography course is a vocationally focused course that encourages students to explore and refine their practical skills within a professional and supportive environment. Unlike a degree course it follows a structured format of assignment, practical/vocational application and assessment throughout the two stages.
Special course features
Supportive staff and learning environment
Vocational ‘real-world’ assignments
Opportunity for individual specialism within the course
Cross discipline experience and collaboration
Course content

The HND course differs in structure from a degree course in its make-up and delivery. It will be centred on a structured series of assignments, which will form the basis of the students studies. In completing these assignments, students are introduced to practical and vocational scenarios which require them to research and put into practice workshop-based guidance and instruction from the assignment tutors, together with their own research. The course is very much practically based, strongly underpinned with academic research and reading, as students learn, research, develop and apply skills and techniques appropriate to contemporary practical scenarios. The course will prepare the student to enter a broad range of photo-related fields from professional practice through to internet and virtual design. This should enable students to progress their career in a direction of their own choosing.
Stage one

The first stage of study is broadly exploratory in nature, offering students guidance and instruction in a wide range of practical situations from studio and location lighting, darkroom techniques in colour and monochrome to digital imaging and design. This learning is underpinned throughout by contextual and historical study that ultimately places the students’ own work within contemporary and historical practice.
Stage two

The second stage offers students further opportunity to produce work that reflects the individual student’s interests and specialist areas. The aim of this stage is that in completing the assignments, the student graduates with a portfolio of work and a range of knowledge that will take them forward, academically and/or professionally, along their chosen career path.
Typical modules include
Advertising photography
Colour darkroom practice
Curating and participating in exhibitions
Digital Media
Fashion photography
Location photography
Location techniques
Monochrome Darkroom Practice
Press and photojournalism
Studio techniques
Career opportunities

Destinations may include seeking commercial commissions as a photographer in editorial, press, advertising or fashion related fields. Other options are working as a photographic assistant, professional involvement in digital or virtual visual/photographic environments, picture/design agencies or photo libraries. Students may continue in higher education, ‘topping-up’ their HND to an honours degree through a further period of study on a BA (Hons) degree course.

Key features
A new and exciting opportunity to study ideas in depth while developing your fine art studio practices
A supportive environment in both classroom and studio.
Internationally recognised staff and excellent facilities.

What our students say

“Tutors put great effort is put into making links among the subjects’ Richard Boulton, current student.

‘Enjoyable and Rewarding’ Tom Northcote, former student and Procurement Specialist with the Department of Health.’

What it’s about

Philosophy, fine art and photography are all important and complementary ways of understanding the world around us. It is rare, however, to have the chance to study these subjects together, in a genuinely interdisciplinary single honours degree.

On the philosophy side, you will have a series of taught modules that will explore the underpinnings of human thought, experience, ethics, perception and expression. These are taught by staff who are active researchers in the field but who also provide a welcoming and supportive environment. If you are tired of being pigeon-holed as either an ‘arty’ or a ‘thoughtful’ type then one of these new programmes is for you.

What you do

Both of these degree programmes are interdisciplinary — that is, they are not two halves of a degree sitting side by side. Instead, the modules you take are designed to ‘talk’ to each other by encouraging reflection on the inter-relation between philosophy, fine art and photography; several modules, including the final year project, are co-taught by members of staff from the different departments. The philosophy part of your award includes modules on ethics (how should I live my life?), metaphysics (ie the nature of reality, freedom), epistemology (what can be known, and how?), and the nature of the self (who am I?). In addition, you will be taking modules specifically on visual modes of thinking, such as ‘Philosophy Goes to the Movies’ and ‘Thinking with Hands and Eyes.’ Here, it is our practice to learn philosophy by doing it: by talking, writing, debating and reading the important original texts. Assessment of modules is normally by written work, such as essays – there are no examinations.

Students in Photography and Philosophy will be involved in the production of practical work from the beginning of the first year. The core approach of understanding ‘visual communication’ is developed through study of the many and varied conceptual and analytical approaches to photographic practice. You will be learning how to use the latest technology from high-end digital equipment to the studio environment, but with access to traditional processes as well. You will also participate in lectures and seminars that encourage lively discussion of ideas in photography. This work will enable you to become a skilled and creative photographer, with an in-depth awareness of how photographs communicate.

Where next

As a graduate you will be able to think clearly and critically, be adaptable and open-minded and able to communicate and collaborate with others in analysing and solving problems. All these are skills highly prized by employers and have led past philosophy students to careers in business, law, teaching, management and the Civil Service, among others. The photography or fine art side of your degree means you are eminently employable and entrepreneurial in a whole range of creative industries, including promoting your personal or professional practice, or working in publishing, museums, galleries or visual industries such as advertising. Production skills, communication skills,
team-working skills, initiative and an innovative approach to problem solving are desirable attributes to employers and individuals alike.

Fact FileQualification:
BA(Hons)
Faculty/School:
Faculty of Arts, Media and Design
Location:
Stoke Campus
Course Length: Normally three years full time
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 VW56, Route B Awaited