This course is validated by: Lancaster University

Photography & Moving Image BA (Hons)

Location: University Centre at Blackburn College
UCAS Code: W646
Code: IA3030A20
Fees: View fees and financial information
Validated by: Lancaster University
Study Mode: Full Time
Duration: Full time: 3 academic years
Part time: 6 academic years
Start Dates: september 2022
Term Dates: View term dates
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Overview

BA (Hons) Photography & Moving Image has been designed to give you the knowledge and real-life skills that are needed to join and sustain a range of graduate-level jobs in industry.

This is an exciting, but challenging time to be entering the photographic industry. Never has photography been so popular, nor so competitive. As such, this course has been designed to produce graduates that are: socially engaged, culturally and ethically aware photography and moving image practitioners; able to integrate criticality and reflection in their practice; independent thinkers who can collaborate and lead; sophisticated ‘makers,’ able to utilise contemporary and traditional technology and methodology appropriately for a range of audiences and functioning, and commercially-adept practitioners of photography and moving image.

What will I study?

During the course of the programme you will study a range of subjects directly associated with photography and moving image. Alongside all the modules you will develop your academic skills that will help you progress smoothly. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and you will study the following modules:

Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

  • Contextual Studies (Photography and Moving Image)
  • Creative Process 1
  • Location and Studio Practice
  • Photography and Moving Image
  • Professional Practice 1

Level 5 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

  • Critical Studies (Photography and Moving Image)
  • Creative Process 2
  • Professional Practice 2
  • Photographic Practice
  • Moving Image Practice

Level 6 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

  • Dissertation
  • External Engagement
  • Extensive Personal Practice and Exhibition
  • Professional Practice 3
Entry Requirements

You’ll need 80 UCAS points to join this programme. Applicants should have and be able to verify that they have a pass in English GCSE or Functional Skills Level 2 English or equivalent as an entry requirement. Proof of this should be shown at the interview. 

Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria but have relevant work/life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be invited to interview. The interview will consider prior formal qualifications, and evidence of experience gained through employment or other verifiable sources. Students will be admitted when the interviews are confident that the student has demonstrated sufficient prior knowledge, skill, aptitude and interest to be equally able to succeed as a candidate offering the standard entry criteria.

Applicants should also exhibit an interest in the subject of photography and / or moving imagery, either as processes or theoretical. You will also need:

  • A functional digital camera that allows full engagement with all stills and moving image aspects of the programme, this usually means a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) or digital mirrorless camera with a lens and lens interchangeability and with effective stills and moving image capability. This digital camera must have ‘Manual’ exposure mode capability, a memory card of an appropriate capacity to save photographic images and HD moving imagery files. It must also have an appropriate battery.
  • A 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera with a lens and lens interchangeability and ‘Manual’ exposure capability. The SLR camera should also have a battery if required.
  • Additional photographic film and photography paper for darkroom use.
  • A functioning camera tripod able to support and effectively stabilise the student’s own cameras.
  • A USB external hard drive with memory capacity sufficient to store still photographic image files and large moving-image files.
  • Minimum memory size recommended – 1Tb. As the programme progresses, further external hard drives may be required.

In addition, throughout the programme, you will be required to invest in materials for the production of and presentation of photographic portfolios and moving-image works suitable for assessment and (at Level 6) a public exhibition. We advise that any equipment or materials queries be directed at the programme delivery team. There may be trips to external locations for workshops, conference or another external event that you will be required to pay for.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

See our General Entry Requirements.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be undertaken through a range of established methodologies at various stages throughout your learning experience. This incorporates standard practices through initial, diagnostic, formative and summative stages. Examples of assessment activity includes:

  • Essays
  • Seminars
  • Projects and Portfolios
  • Dissertations
  • Reflective/Summative Reports
  • Group presentations
  • Peer assessment
  • Group assessment
Teaching and Learning

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas:

  • Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English
  • Academic Writing (including referencing)
  • Research Skills
  • Work Placement
What can I do next?

Graduates from BA (Hons) Photography & Moving Image can progress onto a range of careers including; news and editorial, publishing, picture library and image distribution, advertising, gallery curation, community arts, teaching and postgraduate study.

Supplementary Information

Download the Programme Specification. The Programme Specification will give you further information about the course structure, learning outcomes and detailed information about the assessment you can expect during the course.

Work Placements

Work placements are subject to availability. You are also responsible for any costs in travelling to and from your work placements, for any accommodation costs and in some instances the cost of acquiring a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report.

What will my timetable be like?

If you choose to study this course in September 2022, your timetable will consist of the following days of study at our University Centre.

The days that have been set for this course, for the first year intake only, are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

You will be required to undertake work in your own time and also undertake private study. This will be in addition to your taught hours in class. You may also be required to undertake a work placement/work-based learning. This is in addition to the taught timetabled classes, please bear this in mind with your planning. 

The University Centre reserves the right to change timetables for the year ahead and this information is provided to you as a guide. The days of study in subsequent years of the course may vary.

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Career Options

Photographer

If you are artistic and love taking photographs, this could be a perfect career for you. As a photographer you would use cameras to take still photographs. You would use your technical skills and artistic ideas to take images of people and products. You will also take pictures of places or events.

A photographer is usually a creative person. You’ll also need to be able to make people feel relaxed.

Most professional photographers take a college or university course to develop their technical skills.

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Photographic Stylist

If you have a good eye for shape and colour, and you would like to work in photography, this job could suit you.

As a photographic stylist, you would work closely with photographers to create the right ‘look’ and mood for a photo shoot. It would be your job to find props, dress the set and organise behind the scenes.

In this job you would need to have an understanding of photography and lighting. You would also need 'people skills'.

You would normally come to photographic styling from a fashion, photography or design background. You will be able to learn some of the skills you need by doing a college or university course. However, this is a job where it is important to get as much experience as possible, whether it is through paid employment, a work placement or as a volunteer.

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Photographic Technician

Photographic technicians produce images from digital files, either as prints on photographic paper or on a wide variety of other media, such as mouse mats, t-shirts, mugs and posters. If you are interested in photography and can work accurately, this job could be ideal for you.

In this job you would need to have good colour vision. You will also need to have computer skills and be good at dealing with customers.

There aren't any set entry requirements to get into this job, but some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs including maths and science, or qualifications of a similar level. There are college and university courses in photography you can do that could help you develop the skills you would need.

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Art Gallery Curator

Art gallery curators manage collections of paintings and objects. These are usually of artistic and historical interest.

To work in an art gallery you should have a keen interest in art. You should have good organisational skills. You’ll also need strong communication and people skills.

To do this job you would usually need a degree in a relevant subject such as art or art history.?

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Art Gallery Curator

Art gallery curators manage collections of paintings and objects. These are usually of artistic and historical interest.

To work in an art gallery you should have a keen interest in art. You should have good organisational skills. You’ll also need strong communication and people skills.

To do this job you would usually need a degree in a relevant subject such as art or art history.?

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Museum Curator

If you are interested in arts and history, and you have organisational skills, this job could be ideal for you.

As a museum curator, you would manage collections of objects of artistic, scientific, historical and general interest.

In this job you would need to be good at making decisions. You would also need to be accurate in your work.

To get into this job you would usually need a degree and a postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject like museum or heritage studies. Paid or unpaid work experience will also be essential.

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Museum Assistant

If you are a responsible person who likes working with people, and you would like to work in cultural heritage, this job could be a perfect match for you.

Museum assistants are responsible for customer care and security in museums and galleries.

In this job you would need good communication and customer service skills. You would also need to be good at keeping your concentration over long periods of time.

To get into this job you don't usually need any particular qualifications, although a good general standard of education, especially in English and maths, will help you. Some museums may ask for at least for GCSEs or even A levels. Experience of serving customers, specialist historical knowledge or voluntary work in a museum can also help you to get in. You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship. ??

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

Reprographic Assistant

Reprographic assistants, also known as print room operators, use photocopying machines and printers to produce all kinds of items like documents, brochures, leaflets and pictures. They also ‘finish’ the printed materials by binding or mounting them.

In this job, you’ll need to be well organised, able to follow job instructions and be comfortable working under pressure to deadlines.

You may need some GCSEs to start, for example maths, English and art and design, although this is not always essential. You may also be able to get into this work through an Apprenticeship scheme.

Job Opportunites in Lancashire

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