BA (Hons) Photography

Can you imagine a world without photographs? 

We are looking for a new generation of photographers who understand how photography shapes the world and want to know how to push the boundaries, explore new processes and use their knowledge to work for change.

We will support you to gain advanced skills in photographic production, while developing a sophisticated understanding of the historical and contemporary uses of photography.

As part of the unique Art and Design subject area, you will have opportunities to collaborate on inter-disciplinary projects, preparing you to engage in a competitive job market equipped with skills for the fourth industrial age (4iR). 

You will develop a professional photography portfolio reflecting both your specific interests and your career aspirations whilst gaining confidence in a wide range of creative practices from medium/large format cameras, self-publishing, audio and moving image production to e.g. 3D fabrication. You will also have access to one of the largest darkrooms in London to explore analogue photography. 

Image credit: Danae Ennever-Roach (detail)

Practice-as-research and the development of contemporary photographic practices are at the core of the course. The teaching programme is based on practical assessment and employability, with established practice in editorial, documentary and fine art photography, focused on photography as a catalyst for social change. 

Some sessions run in the Visual Arts subject area alongside other disciplines, equipping you with expanded skills to produce professional outcomes with confidence. Professional Practice: Mental Wealth and Cultural Manoeuvres sessions will allow you to further develop your creative understanding and engagement with the creative industries. 

The course offers you a range of activities for personal and professional development where you will gain a wealth of transferable skills. You can promote your practice to a range of audiences in the form of external publications, collaborations, film screenings, community practice and exhibitions. 

You will learn from a team of international practitioners who are leaders in their field, and will be able to take advantage of our extensive links to professional organisations and networks in London such as the Photographers' Gallery and Autograph. You will also get opportunities to meet our highly successful alumni who will join your pin ups, exhibitions and portfolio reviews.

Each year we also host an innovative week of guest talks called Detour Ahead, where you will have an opportunity to learn from inspirational photographers, designers, film-makers, curators, picture editors, artists and experts in professional practice essentials such as copyright, tax and self-employment. 

The common level 4 subject area structure allows you to switch between BA (Hons) Photography and BA (Hons) Commercial Photography depending on your personal development.

• Tawjihi: 60% for Foundation
• 3 x AS Levels: Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 2.0 for Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 3.0 + SAT1 1070 for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 25 points with minimum 15 at Higher Level for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• 3 x A Levels: Direct Entry to Bachelor's

Our course shapes and nurtures top-quality photographers. Don't just take our word for it, though. When photography icon and East End boy David Bailey collected his honorary doctorate from UEL in 2014, he and former National Portrait Gallery Director, Sandy Nairne praised the exceptional standard of our students' work.

It is little wonder then that so many of our graduates have gone on to carve out successful careers in various areas of the business and have found careers with, for instance, a collective of freelance photographers, with an award winning feature and documentary director, as studio and production managers and as freelance re-touchers and image makers, collaborating with well-established photographers. Some of our alumni have found success with their own studios. White Rabbit in Shoreditch and Espero Studios off Brick Lane were both set up by UEL Photography entrepreneurs.

The changes in digital technology and distribution in photography have provided opportunities for a new generation of photographers and graduates more able to adapt to the opportunities in multi-disciplinary and expanded practice aided by high quality moving image capabilities of the current DSLR cameras. This has allowed our graduates to become videographers, freelance camera operators, production assistants, producers, social media managers, stylists, freelance designers, and even curve ambassador and activist such as our photography alumna Felicity Hayward. Others have set up innovative publications such as Tirade and Bricoleur. 

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.