About this course
Embark on a thrilling two-year journey in Digital Photography and learn from our expert staff, collaborate on real-world projects with industry partners, and dive into the exploration of various photography styles and editing techniques.
Master technical tools to effectively express your unique artistic vision, thereby becoming a dynamic influence in the world of photography.
This foundation degree in Digital Photography aims to create ambitious graduates who are equipped with the relevant skillset for entry into the photography industry by ensuring the industry’s voice is embedded at the heart of the curriculum.
Therefore employability is an integral element of the course training you on the latest industry-standard software and hardware combined with ample opportunities throughout the programme to undertake appropriate work-based learning.
What you’ll study
This foundation degree in digital photography provides students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to work effectively with digital cameras and imaging software.
Photography Practice (40 credit points)
This module will provide you with a comprehensive foundation in photography by introducing you to core concepts and principles. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, you will gain proficiency in handling photographic equipment.
Furthermore, the module will focus on developing technical skills required for capturing and processing digital photographs.
Image and Representation (20 credit points)
Providing a thorough examination of the historical development, essential theories, and ethical aspects underpinning photography, this module delves into sustainability, cultural diversity, and the central significance of the camera in the creative process.
Through a combination of theoretical exploration and critical analysis, you will cultivate an understanding of photography as both a creative tool and a medium of communication.
Visual Storytelling (40 credit points)
Visual storytelling is a powerful form of communication that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries. In this module, through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, you will learn to harness the visual medium to convey compelling narratives, emotions, and ideas.
You will explore the fundamental principles of storytelling and gain insights into how visuals can be used to engage, inform, and captivate your audience. The module will also dive into various storytelling techniques across different creative fields and you will have the opportunity to apply these techniques in your chosen discipline, ensuring that you can weave impactful narratives that resonate with your audience.
Image Manipulation and Post-Production (20 credit points)
Explore the processes involved in image manipulation and post-production. Develop the skills and techniques required to creatively enhance and refine photographic work.
You will apply the skills learned to create individual work showcasing your ability across different types of digital photography.
Advanced Digital Techniques (40 credit points)
Explore advanced digital photography techniques, delving into a diverse array of creative and technical elements encompassing both production and post-production.
This journey will lead to the enhancement of your practical skills while simultaneously enabling you to nurture your unique creative style, sharpen your focus, and establish a distinctive photographer's identity.
Experimental Techniques and Creative Practice (20 credit points)
This module is a creative voyage into the realm of emerging technologies, methods, and processes, all of which are harnessed to craft innovative image experiences, unlock new possibilities and challenge perceived norms and conventions. You will engage with cutting-edge tools and concepts, fostering a forward-thinking approach to your craft.
Final Major Project (40 credit points)
This module acts as a creative stage for you to conceive, design, and carry out an all-encompassing photographic project that encapsulates your individual vision and standpoint. It represents a culminating experience that showcases not only technical proficiency but also the capability to critically engage with photographic principles, the aptitude for inventive storytelling, and a dedication to the craft of visual communication
Professional Practice (20 credit points)
In this module, you'll acquire the knowledge and skills essential for thriving in the ever-evolving creative industries. Delve into the dynamic landscape of this sector, gaining insights into the various roles and responsibilities specific to your discipline.
Explore the wide array of employment routes and opportunities within your area of expertise, and examine the nuances of freelance work. You will work on a live brief to help develop those crucial networking skills, equipping you for success in this vibrant field.
Additionally you will explore the impact of digitally networked cultures, creative portfolios, brand-building, sustainable digital business models and the impact of new technologies.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
Within individual modules the delivery of the material encourages increasing levels of skill development and student participation, ensuring that, as you progress through the course, you become a more confident and independent learner. We aim to include a range of methods of delivery that may include;
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshop
- Group tutorials
- Academic Tutorials
- Presentations and pitches
- Team working
- Independent learning
- Visiting industry professionals.
All the modes of delivery are structured to develop on-going abilities and skills through exploring ideas and problem solving. The course will offer a broad range of assessment methods.
Showcase
You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries.
How you're assessed
Assessment
A variety of formative and summative assessment methods will be employed throughout the course such as:
- presentations
- idea development
- research led projects
- live briefs
- essays
- reports
Each assessment undertaken for each module will enable you to develop specific skills required by a graphic designer.
Careers and employability
After finishing your foundation degree, you may decide to go straight into industry or top-up to a full honours degree.
If you achieve a Commendation or higher grade, you'll be able to progress onto the Level 6 (Final Year) of our popular BA (Hons) Photography course.
For those completing their foundation degree with a Pass, you'll have the opportunity to progress onto Level 5 (Year Two) of the course.
Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and the opportunity to exhibit your work, to help enhance your future career.
You can also move straight into your career, in areas which might include:
- Photographer
- Picture editor
- Artist
- Retoucher
- Filmmaker
- Curator
- Teacher
- Marketer
- Community Arts Worker
- Content Creator
- Archivist
- Freelancer
Connecting with industry
Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.
Work placement and internship opportunities
You will be actively encouraged and supported to undertake informal work experience and professional practice in addition to your studies.
Our teaching staff, including part-time lecturers who are professionally active, help and support students in directing them towards work placement and professional practice opportunities.
YouFirst – working with our Employability Team
Studying a degree at a popular university has many benefits, none more so than having access to a large employability team.
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and up to three years after completing your course.
Campus and facilities
On this course you’ll study across various facilities located on our City Campus and have access to:
- Industry Spec Workstation PCs
- Bookable Green Screen studio space
- Motion capture studio
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Autodesk suite.
Entry requirements
UK students
- 64 UCAS Tariff points; and
- GCSE - English and Maths Grade C / 4
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé students
This course is not suitable for Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé applicants.
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
