Photography BA Honours

What will you study on the BA Photography?

This degree encourages you to use your imagination and experiment at the same time as developing your skills. Throughout the course you will undertake a range of projects covering studio photography, portraiture, lighting and art direction, location shoots, landscape photography, sports and events, still life photography, fashion photography, architectural photography, urban landscape, reportage and documentary. You will learn to think critically about a range of issues and be able to communicate your responses to these in written form. With every project, you are required to give a critical perspective of your own work.

Your first year explores photography through eight different projects that will give you the opportunity to investigate different subjects from documentary to fashion. Drawing on literature from photography and cultural theory, a visual culture module will provide a historical and critical framework for a deeper understanding of a range of photographic practices. In your second year, you will work on themed projects where you will be able to evolve your own approach and develop your skills, for example. A visual culture module will address current themes that affect the ways in which photographs are made and seen and understood. By your final year of study, you will be prepared to build a professional portfolio based on a subject of your own choosing. This will be accompanied by a research project, which will provide a very useful theoretical underpinning for your own practice.

There have been visits from guest professionals including Rhiannon Adam, Adrian Bradshaw, Rachael Burns, Julian Calder, Brian Harris, Cheryl Newman, Martin Parr, Kate Peters, Ingrid Pollard, Simon Roberts, Nicola Shipley and Jem Southam.

Modules

Weve made temporary changes to some course modules for students starting in 2020 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. If youre applying to start this course or progressing into year one, two or three this autumn, theres info on these updates below.

Why study photography with us?

This award winning BA gives you the tools, opportunities and inspiration to explore the world we live in now. With the help and guidance of our committed and expert staff, you will investigate the communication of ideas, opinion, comment, reportage, analysis and meaning through the medium of photography.

Middlesex is home to some of the best photographic facilities and staff in the UK to help you realise your creative vision and develop your own personal approach and to think creatively.

Join a long list of decorated alumni, who are making an impact in the creative industries. Many Middlesex photography graduates have received industry recognition for their work. In recent years, this has included several D&AD New Blood Yellow Pencil Winners, six finalists for the National Portrait Gallery Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait, winners in all three 5 Under 30 competitions run by the Daniel Blau Gallery and a national advertising commission from one of the worlds leading advertising agencies.

Every year, our students produce outstanding, industry standard work.

Qualifications

In addition to qualifications such as A level and International Baccalaureate, we accept a wide range of international qualifications.

Find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country on the relevant support in your country page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

English language requirements for international students

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications. For some EU countries, we may be able to accept English language competency evidenced through your high school qualification. If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Visas and immigration

In order to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a student route visa. Please see our visas and immigration page for further information.

How can the BA Photography support your career?

This degree will prepare you for a successful career in the creative industry. By the end of the course you will have created a professional portfolio essential for entry into studio, portraiture, fashion, architectural, reportage and photo-journalism, art direction, location, landscape, sports, events, still life, magazine, newspaper, book, exhibition and new media photography.

Meeting Employer Demand

• There are agencies and studios that employ Photographers but most photographic practitioners are self-employed or work in small groups.

• Photographers compete for work from a wide range of clients from Fashion magazines to picture agencies. Clients are looking for a personal vision. We encourage students to develop a strong personal language, together with a highly professional and responsible approach.

• To meet this demand, students are encouraged to develop a strong technical understanding. Workshops and a range of projects in level one emphasize different technical outcomes. This forms a strong foundation so that students begin to develop an individual approach. Further projects encouraging a creative approach and acquisition of further technical skills take place at level five.

Student success

• Sony World Photography Student Focus Award solo winner
• Middlesex Photography Best in Show Free Range Truman 2016 and also Best Student Photographer 2016
• Several winners of the D&AD Yellow Pencil over a period of several years
• Three finalists in all three of the Daniel Blau Gallery 5 under 30 exhibitions
• Joint first prize-winner in the Onward Compe award
• Magenta Foundation prize winner
• Either a student or staff member has been selected to show in every year of the National Portrait Gallery Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait prize since its inception (about seven years ago) including the John Kobal Award for new work last year and two students (one 2016 graduate and one current final year student) in the current 2016/2017 show.