Marine and Natural History Photography with Professional Placement

Tell powerful conservation stories with your camera.

Join a passionate group of environmentalists who believe that images can change the world. Evolve as a skilled communicator, exploring important and powerful ecological and conservation issues and bring them to life with your camera.

Combining the rigour of research with the creativity of storytelling, you’ll expose some of the biggest challenges that face people and planet, while celebrating the beauty of nature.

Based in some of the most outstanding landscapes in the UK, you’ll learn from award-winning and industry-connected photographers, expert filmmakers, explorers and scientists, gaining career-boosting insights and opportunities during your studies.

While developing technical proficiency, we also encourage students to think critically, to ask questions and to challenge patterns of thought and behaviour to make a difference.

Why study this course at Falmouth?
Cornwall’s diverse marine and land environments will be your studio – you can get from campus to coast or moorland in a matter of minutes 
Rivalling professional studios, our facilities and stores are stacked with high-spec digital and analogue equipment and are some of the best of any UK university
You'll gain insider insights and professional connections through masterclasses, guest speakers, field trips and live briefs
We encourage adventure – former students have travelled to the Ecuadorian rainforest, Indonesian coral reefs, and Norwegian glaciers to produce their Major Projects
You’ll become part of our close-knit, globe-trotting alumni that have picked up huge commissions (BBC, Netflix) and awards for their work
As part of our supportive creative community, you’ll start building your professional network from day one of your degree

On this course, you'll develop a passionate understanding of earth’s habitats and fragile ecosystems while mastering the technical film and photographic skills to create images that inspire, move and educate audiences.

As well as developing an industry-ready portfolio of original work, you’ll graduate with the professional skills to turn your creative practice into a rewarding career.

Year one
You'll practice photographic skills alongside research and critical thinking. During this year, you'll explore biodiversity and habitat, as well as the marine environment, and will participate in a number of local field trips to land and marine locations.

Modules
Base Camp
Research and Critical Thinking
Biodiversity and Habitat
Exploring Practice: Land or Underwater
Communicating Nature
The Marine Environment

Year two
Alongside studying moving image and still photography, you'll develop your research and critical thinking skills, explore global conservation, and get ready for your own research project. You will also get the opportunity to undertake a short period of work experience.

Modules
Extending Practice: Land or Underwater
Introduction to Filmmaking
Natural History Stories
Photography of the Natural World
Independent Filmmaking Practice
Work Experience

Year three
You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying.

How you’ll study during your professional placement
You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks.

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation.

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth.

Year four
In the final year of the course, you’ll create your Major Project using still or moving images, or a combination of both. You will support this with an extensive piece of writing about the subject of your project, along with a career plan to help you move into your chosen area of the industry.

Modules
Project Development
Culture and the Environment
Major Project
Professional and Entrepreneurial Practice

We regularly review course and module content to ensure our students receive a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be changes made to the curriculum which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Optional modules may be updated to maintain the best experience. Any students or applicants affected will be informed of approved changes directly.

100% of your assessment will be coursework.

Assessment methods
Practice-based modules will be assessed on the presentation of portfolios, including preparatory work.
Critical studies modules will be assessed on written assignments or presentations.
In the final year, you’ll be assessed on your major independent project which is supported by an extended piece of contextual writing and a professional portfolio.
Feedback is given throughout the modules to help you improve your work.