Photography courses

About Photography - BA (hons) Degree in Cardiff Metropolitan University

Course Overview

Photography is a powerful language. It enables us to communicate complex ideas and emotions. It tells us what is considered important, and helps us to understand and question the past and the present.

Your unique vision can help to redefine the way we see the world around us. As a critical and creative photographer, you can contribute to creating the visual landscapes of the future.

The BA Photography degree at Cardiff Met will develop your understanding of technical and conceptual approaches to photography, drawing inspiration from commercial, artistic and experimental lens-based mediums. You will acquire professional digital and film photography skills.

You will learn to critically evaluate your creative approaches to contemporary photographic practices, positioning these within wider visual culture. We will encourage you to pursue your own photographic interests, nurturing a unique way of seeing, and creating a dynamic portfolio of work.

You will develop a distinctive visual identity and an understanding of the ways in which your personal style might be applied to a range of contexts from fashion and fine arts to advertising and editorial.

This BA in Photography is based at our Cardiff School of Art & Design. The school has a longstanding partnership with Ffotogallery, the National Photography Agency for Wales, focused around short courses and workshops, paid internships and opportunities for students to exhibit and volunteer during their biennial Diffusion: Cardiff International Festival of Photography.

​Course Content​

This course will develop skills and expertise in the following:

• Analogue and digital image making skills
• Studio & location lighting techniques
• Photographic genres
• Editing and sequencing
• The language of photography
• Digital workflow and post production
• Portfolio development
• Ethical protocols
• Professional contexts (including budgeting, pricing, copyright, agencies, and market awareness)

Employability & Careers​

Graduates from the programme are well placed to work as independent photographers, join media & design companies or advertising agencies, or to be employed in the wider creative art and design industries.

During the course, there will be the opportunities to undertake live briefs and obtain work experience. This will include building contacts and undertaking placements as well as exposure to photography professionals through industry talks and mentoring. You will be offered support in forming your own business should you choose to do so.

Some graduates become teachers by taking a PGCE. Some graduates elect to take their studies further by studying at CSAD for a Master's level qualification and there are opportunities to take this further still, into research with a PhD or a Professional Doctorate in Art or Design.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, include one English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U), minimum 60%

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS      :      6.0 overall* with no sub score lower than 5.5
• PTE         :      Overall - 52, Reading - 51, Speaking - 51,Listening - 51,Writing - 51

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