Photography

The BA Photography course is a gateway to a variety of creative careers.

Our course recognizes and embraces the dynamic nature of the field, where new tools and techniques lead the way and trends emerge with lightning speed. We aim to ensure that our students not only master the fundamentals but also become agile and adaptable photographers capable of thriving in any work environment. This includes advertising, fashion and art photography as well as a whole range of related career paths. It’s a broad course capable of sustaining the journey and transformative growth of each and every one of you.

We do this from our enviable purpose-built Creative Industries campus right in the heart of Cardiff, comprising state-of-the-art studios and equipment; and a community of passionate people fully engaged in shaping the future of visual culture. In short, we genuinely couldn’t be better located!

USW has a long and notable history of delivering innovative photography courses that prepare graduates for the real world. Graduates will be employed in a variety of roles as highly skilled photographers, independent artists, photographic assistants, art directors, producers, photography managers, stylists, retouchers, printers, medical and forensic photographers, curators, writers, publishers, agents, educators, marketeers, and media consultants.

Each year, modules build on the skills you have already gained with the intention of fast kick-starting your creativity and applying this to the real world.

Year 1
The first year of the photography degree introduces and explores key ideas that are relevant to contemporary photography industry through engaging and challenging practical projects. All modules will develop your technical and conceptual skills and provide stimulating assignments to develop your creativity and overall control and understanding of the medium.

Year 2
Taking the knowledge learnt in the first year of this course, you will now learn to understand and experience how this knowledge relates to and can be applied to the contemporary photographic industry and various potential job roles that exist within it, at all times further developing your skills, knowledge and confidence.

Year 3
The final year of the course places you in the driving seat, allowing you to make decisions about the kind of work you want to make, subject matter you wish to explore, and where you and your work exist in the world. The year also focuses heavily on further building your confidence as an individual as well as preparing you for employment in the industry following the completion of your degree, so that you’re ready for your next chapter post degree.

The first year of the photography degree introduces and explores key concepts that are relevant to contemporary photographic practice through challenging practical projects. All practical modules, whether based in fashion, advertising or fine-art photography, will develop your technical skills and provide stimulating assignments to develop your creativity.

As you move through the photography course, you will reinforce your emerging photographic practice through a sound knowledge of the history of photography and an awareness of contemporary developments in the medium. The contextual elements of the course will encourage you to think critically about photography and its impact on culture and society.

Assessment is through regular coursework submissions, in addition to examinations in some areas.