View the world through a new lens with our degree-level photography course.
About this course
This practical course prepares aspiring photographers with the creative, technical, and professional skills required to succeed in the visual media industry.
Designed to reflect the demands of the creative industries and the flexibility needed in modern life, this course model lets you develop your studies step by step, one year at a time. You can continue, pause, or change direction, while still achieving a recognised, industry-relevant qualification at each stage.
You’ll be taught by experienced tutors and visiting experts who are active in the creative industries, offering practical guidance and current industry insight.
This new course is currently subject to validation with our first students planned for September 2026.
Level 4 Higher National Certificate course structure (120 academic credits)
The HNC course comprises two modules:
Concept and Development (85 credits)
This aims to support the development of your core knowledge, understanding, and skills in creative practice through the exploration of photography. You’ll examine the history, theories, and key developments; while also building the technical abilities needed to enhance and inform your creative work.
Creative Project (35 credits)
This provides an opportunity to consolidate and apply your learning by producing a portfolio that demonstrates your creative and technical progress.
Facilities
Based at our ultra-modern City Hub campus, you’ll have access to our superb facilities, including: industry-standard studios, darkrooms and equipment, Adobe software, 3D design and technology suites.
Teaching and Assessment
This course will be delivered through blended learning with demonstrations, lectures and practical activities. Assessment is evidence-based including: practical work, portfolios, group work, presentations, written assignments and exhibitions. There are no examinations.
Qualification awarded:
Pearson Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Photography (subject to validation)
Bursaries
We want our courses to be accessible to students from any background, so we’ve put together a cash support package in the form of non-repayable bursaries to provide financial help where it’s really needed. Please check our website - www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk - for more information.
Your career and progression
The Level 4 HNC offers a strong foundation, giving students the skillsets, confidence and knowledge to progress further with their studies. The following stage - the Level 5 HND - enables students to take the next step in their creative practice and advance to the final year of a degree programme and postgraduate study if desired.
Many photographers work in advertising, media, fashion, sports, weddings, and more! Possible careers include: photographer, sports photographer, fashion photographer, press photographer, picture editor, exhibition curator, visual merchandiser, videographer, retoucher, digital marketeer, photo-journalist, blogger or teacher.
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Nottingham College has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Students are advised to contact their own national student finance service for up-to-date information concerning potential financial support.
Applicants who are permanently resident outside the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Republic of Ireland are advised to contact the College before submitting an application.
Any additional costs or fees are shown on the UCAS page for each individual course.
64 UCAS tariff points
64 UCAS tariff points
64 UCAS tariff points
64 UCAS tariff points
Nottingham College welcomes applicants with T Levels for admission to our Level 4 and 5 programmes. 64 UCAS tariff points.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | An overall band score of 5.5; with no individual component less than 5.0. |
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Students are advised to contact their own national student finance service for up-to-date information concerning potential financial support.
Applicants who are permanently resident outside the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland are advised to contact the College before submitting an application:.
Any additional costs or fees are shown on the UCAS page for each individual course.
Check out our courses and vacancies
Email:he.team@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk
Phone:0115 838 0700
Check out our courses and vacancies
Email:he.team@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk
Phone:0115 838 0700
City Campus, The Adams Building
Stoney Street
The Lace Market
Nottingham
NG1 1NG
At Nottingham College
