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Photography

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
York St John University
More about York St John University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Become a photographer who develops ideas through experimentation and critical thinking. Learn to communicate through the visual language of photography.

When you study photography with us you have the freedom to explore your artistic interests. We will help you develop professional photography skills and explore the ideas behind contemporary image making. You will develop skills in documentary, editorial and studio photography, using both film and digital approaches to image creation.

This course will give you the confidence and skills you need to reach your potential as a photographer. You will focus on your practical photography skills and develop an understanding of photography theory to support your practical work. While studying with us you will:

Learn techniques for processing images both digitally and in a dark room
Create images in studios with controlled lighting
Work on location with available light
Work with a range of camera formats, lenses and technologies
Study the theories and histories of photography
Consider the impact your photography has on society, culture and the creative industries
You will apply this learning to different genres of photography. This might include documentary, art, editorial and studio photography.

Our facilities are available for you to use outside of taught classes. Our photography studio, Mac suite and dark room provide everything you need to create inspiring photographs. You can borrow equipment to try out different brands and lenses.

When you choose to study with us, you get more than the skills you need to succeed. You gain experiences that make you stand out. We give you opportunities to:

Learn from visiting photographers
Take part in work placement opportunities and projects with local businesses
Showcase your work at our annual degree show and national graduate exhibitions
Visit cities around the world to enrich your cultural awareness

Modules

Course Modules

Modules include:

Year 1:
Establishing Practice
Material Explorations
Photography: The History, Technology and Theory of Practice
Developing Practice

Year 2:
Photography and Society
Making, Sensing, Thinking
Professional Networks
Realisation and Exposition
Art: Ethics and Aesthetics

Year 3:
Advanced Studio
Professional Futures
Degree Show
Dissertation

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/fine-art-illustration-and-photography/photography-ba-hons/

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • York St John University

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W64W
Institution code:
Y75
Campus name:
York St John University
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

York St John University 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?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W64W
Institution code:
Y75
Campus name:
York St John University

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: For Second Year entry, applicants must have completed the first year of Higher Education in a similar subject with a total of 120 credits.
For Third Year entry, applicants must have completed the first and second year of Higher Education in a similar subject with a total of 240 credits.

Applicants will need to submit a transcript of their completed study, and offers will be subject to a mapping exercise of modules to ensure an appropriate alignment of course content.
Please be aware that transfer applications are subject to availablity of space on the selected academic year of your chosen course.
For more information on the transfer process, please see https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/transferring-to-york-st-john-university/.

If transferring to the final year of a course containing a placement or study abroad year, you must have also completed a placement or study abroad year prior to starting the course. https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/fine-art-illustration-and-photography/photography-ba-hons/

Additional entry requirements

If your application is successful, you will be invited to a portfolio day. On the day, you will show your work with our tutors and share with them your passion for the subject.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

For all UK applicants, we look at seven factors:
• Where you live
• Age
• Disability
• First in family
• Time in care
• UK Armed Forces family
• Free School Meals
These seven factors create a point score, which is then taken into account, along with standard criteria. The points don’t influence whether an offer is made but can influence the type of offer made, resulting in reduced or unconditional offers.
Full information is on our website, including scheme adaptations for individual courses.

Learn more on the York St John University website

International entry requirements

Please see the York St John University Website for international entry requirements specific to your country or region. https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/entry-requirements-for-your-country-or-region/

Historical entry grades data

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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790*
EU & International£12100*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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.

Additional fee information

Fees for our foundation years may vary, please see the relevant foundation year at https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/foundation-years/ for current foundation year fees.

For courses with an optional Placement Year, during the Placement Year your fees will be reduced to 15% of the annual fee value.

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