Photography With Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Photography With Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Course ID W643

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Photography With Foundation Year

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

The world of arts and media is changing at a phenomenal rate, and there has never been a better time to explore your creativity and the ways in which you can apply it to the world around you.

The Foundation Year of this four-year programme aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BA (Hons) Photography course.

This Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the key principles of art, design and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, it gives you a chance to build a larger portfolio, and provides a good transition period to familiarise yourself with the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, and life as a student at the University of Salford. You will then be in a strong position to progress onto your chosen degree pathway.

This is a shared Foundation Year across Art, Design and Media disciplines, and will introduce you to a collaborative environment where you can explore ideas, take creative risks and become a confident independent learner. You will be joining a thriving and creative community.

Find out more by signing up to our next Open Day.

You can also find helpful FAQs and learn more about student life at Salford by exploring all of our Art and Design courses or, if you have any general questions, please contact course enquiries.

Continue reading to learn more about this BA (Hons) Photography course.

You will:

develop your creative skills and academic confidence
familiarise yourself with student life
prepare to study on one of our degree programmes

This is for you if...

You want to work with industry-standard equipment, in studios to support you from image capture through to exhibition.

You want to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable creative play while exploring contemporary photographic practices.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.

By applying to this Foundation Year you are applying to a four-year programme - the shared Foundation Year, followed by a three-year art, design or media degree here at University of Salford. The Foundation Year is not a standalone qualification.

APPLICANT PROFILE

You should have a good range of academic qualifications combined with an appropriate portfolio of work, clearly evidencing ideas and concept driven work.

You should possess both commitment and drive in addition to an appreciation of historical and contemporary practice. The ideal student studying this course should be passionate regarding the subject matter and possess a high degree of self motivation.

The program is challenging and requires a mature approach. We are looking for students who demonstrate a broad spectrum of relative skills and talents as they apply to the changing nature of the practice of photography.

As part of the selection process, you may be invited to submit an online portfolio of your work. All suitable applicants to the course are invited for interview where you will be expected to present a portfolio of art and design work. If you are called for interview we will send you further guidance well in advance.

In your personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), we would like to know more about why you are interested in Photography, what inspires you in the arts and photography sector, and what you hope to gain from the Foundation Year.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below

A level

64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred

T Levels

Pass: D or E in core subject.

UCAS tariff points

64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred

BTEC National Diploma

MPP

Access to HE

Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 64 points (relevant subject)

Scottish Highers

64 points including an Art & Design subject

Irish Leaving Certificate

64 points including an Art & Design subject

International Baccalaureate

24 points including art and design related subjects

European Baccalaureate

Pass Diploma with 60% overall

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

How much?

Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.

Type of study	Year	Fees
Full-time home	2025/26	£8,505.00 for Foundation Year and £9,535.00 for subsequent years.

Additional costs

Optional costs may include £150 for field trips and £250 for a European visit per year. In addition, students will be required to pay from £100 for show participation in their final year. Costs are approximated based on the current academic year. You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Photography graduates could go on to be exhibiting photographers, lecturers, art directors, conservators, arts administrators, digital artists, picture researchers, studio managers or even running their own practice. Graduates will also have the potential to move across into related careers in marketing, branding, museum curatorial, project management, technical support and PR.

Further study

MA Socially Engaged Photography

A taste of what you could become

A photographer

An art director

A digital artist

A lecturer

A picture researcher

And more...

Career Links

You will meet industry professionals, including guest speakers, curators, artists, organisers and/or affiliated non-profit organisations involved in the promotion of photography. Guest lecturers are incorporated into the curriculum and are key to expanding your knowledge and enabling a broad understanding of the options available in the photographic field.