Photography

Two years full-time.

The HND Photography course is a vocationally focused course that encourages students to explore and refine their practical skills within a professional and supportive environment. Unlike a degree course it follows a structured format of assignment, practical/vocational application and assessment throughout the two stages.

The HND course differs in structure from a degree course in its make-up and delivery. It will be centred on a structured series of assignments, which will form the basis of the student's studies. In completing these assignments, students are introduced to practical and vocational scenarios which require them to research and put into practice workshop-based guidance and instruction from the assignment tutors, together with their own research. The course is very much practically based, strongly underpinned with academic research and reading, as students learn, research, develop and apply skills and techniques appropriate to contemporary practical scenarios. The course will prepare the student to enter a broad range of photo-related fields from professional practice through to internet and virtual design. This should enable students to progress their career in a direction of their own choosing.

Stage one

The first stage of study is broadly exploratory in nature, offering students guidance and instruction in a wide range of practical situations from studio and location lighting, darkroom techniques in colour and monochrome to digital imaging and design. This learning is underpinned throughout by contextual and historical study that ultimately places the student's own work within contemporary and historical practice.

Stage two

The second stage offers students further opportunity to produce work that reflects the individual student's interests and specialist areas. The aim of this stage is that in completing the assignments, the student graduates with a portfolio of work and a range of knowledge that will take them forward, academically and/or professionally, along their chosen career path.

• Supportive staff and learning environment
• Vocational 'real-world' assignments
• Opportunity for individual specialism within the course
• Cross discipline experience and collaboration

• Advertising Photography
• Colour Darkroom Practice
• Curating and Participating in Exhibitions
• Digital Media
• Fashion Photography
• Location Photography
• Location Techniques
• Monochrome Darkroom Practice
• Press and Photojournalism
• Studio Techniques

Course is modular and assessed through practical and written assignments.

Destinations may include seeking commercial commissions as a photographer in editorial, press, advertising or fashion related fields. Other options are working as a photographic assistant, professional involvement in digital or virtual visual/photographic environments, picture/design agencies or photo libraries. Students may continue in higher education, 'topping-up' their HND to an honours degree through a further period of study on a BA (Hons) degree course.