A Brighton Photography degree prepares you for creative and professional paths including editorial, documentary, fashion and commercial photography, working independently or as part of a creative team, as a photographer, artist, curator or photo editor.
Studying here at Brighton, you’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. This course is packed with opportunities to build real-world experience, including a paid placement after year two. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.
Top reasons to choose this course
Explore diverse photographic practices: you’ll work with both analogue and digital media, experimenting with lighting, darkrooms, full-kit studios and industry-standard equipment.
Highly experienced artists and photographers teach the course, supported by skilled technicians who’ll guide you through studios, darkrooms and post-production.
A flexible curriculum with option modules so you can combine theory and practice and tailor your work to your creative ambitions.
Engage with visiting photographers, writers, curators and media professionals, gaining insights into both creative practice and the business of photography.
Opportunities to exhibit your work throughout the course, culminating in a major public graduate show.
Located in central Brighton, you’ll be part of a vibrant art and media community with a strong creative culture and progressive environment.
Why Brighton is a great place to study Photography
Brighton is a city with creativity at its heart, making it the perfect setting to study Photography. From renowned galleries and studios to a thriving network of freelance artists, the city offers endless inspiration and opportunities to engage with the creative community.
Our long heritage in art and design education means you’ll be part of a diverse network of creatives, with access to opportunities and industry connections that extend beyond the campus.
Named one of the best cities on the planet and third best city in the UK by Time Out, Brighton is also a bustling hub for fashion, design and film.
Year 1
You’ll develop core analogue and digital photography skills across four themed practice modules exploring identity, place, narrative and time. Alongside this, you’ll study the histories and theories of photography to strengthen your ability to analyse images and understand their cultural contexts.
Core modules
Photography and Identity
Photography and Place
The Real and the Imagined
Stillness and Time
Origins and Histories of Photography (Perspectives on Photography 1)
Photographic Documents and Photographic Fictions (Perspectives on Photography 2)
Year 2
You’ll shape your own creative direction by choosing from a range of themed projects and experimenting with media such as moving image and sound. You’ll deepen your understanding of contemporary photographic theory while developing professional skills through exhibitions, independent projects and written proposals. This year prepares you for the self-directed approach of your final year, with regular lectures, seminars and feedback to support your growth.
Core modules
Creative Process for Exhibition
Design for Publication
Concepts and Theories in Contemporary Photography (Perspectives on Photography 3)
Commercial Photography Practices
Research Themes, Methodologies and Proposal (Perspectives on Photography 4)
Optional placement year
An optional placement year gives you the chance to apply your skills in a professional setting, gain industry experience and build valuable contacts before returning for your final year.
Final year
You’ll focus on developing a distinctive personal practice through two major self-directed projects and a piece of written research, applying all the technical, conceptual and professional skills you’ve built through the course. You’ll dive deeply into a photographic topic of your choice while producing ambitious, conceptually-driven visual work. Professional practice sessions and visiting speakers will help you prepare for creative careers and postgraduate pathways.
Core modules
Extended Essay (Perspectives on Photography 5)
Independent Practice 1
Independent Practice 2
Professional Practice
Dissertation (Perspectives on Photography 5)
This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University of Brighton 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:
A foundation diploma is not a requirement for entry – it is just one of a range of qualifications (for example, A level, BTEC or Access Diploma etc) that is accepted for admission to the course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5. in each element, or equivalent English Language qualification. |
Review our English Language requirementshttps://www.brighton.ac.uk/international/applying-here/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements/index.aspx
At Brighton we recognise that not everyone's background provides the same advantages, and we know that grades are not the only indicator of potential.
If you meet our contextual admissions criteria we will make you an offer which is at least 16 UCAS points lower than our standard offer. You may also be eligible for additional financial and practical support from us through the Brighton Boost cost of living support package.
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.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
| 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.
Fees are payable each year and will increase annually in line with inflation.
Tuition fees for full-time UK / Home undergraduate students in academic year 2026–27
Annual course fees:
Honours degree £9,790
Placement year £1,958
Integrated foundation year (except the School of Business and Law) £9,790
Integrated foundation year in the School of Business and Law* £5,760*
*The £5,760 fee is for the foundation year only. Subsequent years are charged at the regulated undergraduate fee.
Many courses include the option of a salaried placement year. Tuition fees for a placement year are charged at a lower rate.
Regulated fees:
Tuition fees for UK / Home students on undergraduate courses in England are set by the UK government and are known as regulated fees. From academic year 2026–27 onwards, regulated fees will increase annually in line with forecast inflation. The regulated fee will be £9,790 in academic year 2026–27 and £10,050 in academic year 2027–28 (subject to parliamentary approval).
Standard tuition fees for full-time international students in academic year 2026–27:
Classroom-based courses £17,796–19,692
Laboratory or studio-based courses £17,796–19,692
Placement year £1,958
Phone:01273 644000
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Phone:01273 644644
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