Photography (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    W641

  • Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 year
    Part Time: 2 years

  • Starting

    September

  • Fees UK 24/25

    Full Time: £9,250
    Part Time: £1,540 (per 20 credits)

  • Fees International 24/25

    Full Time: £16,500

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


Our Photography (Top-Up) programme takes a practical approach to exploring the photograph within a range of contemporary practices and contexts. This will extend to a critical understanding of the subject and allows the scope for you to develop your creativity and professionalism.

We encourage you to develop an independent approach to your learning, with a focus on personal research methods and extending your individual practice through experimentation and critical thought.

We will challenge you to consider traditional silver processes and digital technologies, evaluating photographic production and studying the still image in relation to both the moving image and newer interactive technologies.

Our BA Top-Up (Hons) Photography programme has been ‘Approved’ by the Association of Photographers (AOP) as one of the ‘most respected photographic courses in the UK’.

Updated 21/03/2024

Highlights


  • Accredited by the Association of Photographers (AOP) as one of the ‘most respected photography courses in the UK’.
  • You can receive FREE student membership of the AOP as part of your studies, enhancing your CV and helping you stand out from the crowd when you graduate and pursue a career in photography.
  • Students have use of dedicated specialist facilities – view our Photo Studio 1, Photo Studio 2, and Dark Room Tours.
  • We also organise external exhibitions of our students work and in addition, we regularly host Visiting Lecturers and Portfolio reviews.
  • Find out more about the course on YouTube, and view the work of UON Photography students and graduates on Instagram by visiting @uon_photography.

 

Course Content


  • Your learning will be informed by historical and current references as well as cultural and social contexts so that you can understand the impact that photography can have and the change it can inspire, as well as developing your professional practice. We will also support you to engage in live projects, competitions and exhibitions so that you are prepared for the professional field of photography when you graduate.

    Want to see some of our students’ work? Follow the University of Northampton’s BA Photography course on Instagram – @uon_photography

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

      • Module code: PHO3003
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to develop visual and written presentation skills and strategies to support communication within a range of business and professional frameworks. It focuses on the knowledge and skills required to present a creative profile to support professional practice within the breadth of the photographic industry.
      • Module code: PHO4001
        Status: Compulsory
        This aims to facilitate development and consolidation of the student?s creative and theoretical interests as well as professional aspirations in the production of a new body of work for public exhibition. The module makes complex demands on the student from conceptualisation to dissemination of their work intended for particular audiences.
  • Standard entry requirements apply. Applicants are expected to have studied a Photography or Art and Design related subject at Foundation Degree level or equivalent, or as a HND.

    Applicants are requested to send in a digital portfolio of their own work in Art and Design, which will then be reviewed by the Photography team. Receiving an offer may also be subject to qualifications and standard entry requirements.

    International students may also submit their portfolio electronically.

    For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

    If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

    English Language Requirements

    All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
      for study at undergraduate level.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 2024/25 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • International – Full Time: £16,500
    Additional Costs
    • Own camera (cameras are available to loan from the University – with potential added cost for film, paper, external hard drive and SD/CF cards).
    • External hard drive
    • Producing a physical portfolio – both the case and the prints.
    • Printing photographs
    2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • International – Full Time: £15,500
    Additional Costs
    • Own camera (cameras are available to loan from the University – with potential added cost for film, paper, external hard drive and SD/CF cards).
    • External hard drive
    • Producing a physical portfolio – both the case and the prints.
    • Printing photographs

     

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • How will I be taught on Photography (Top-Up) BA (Hons) ?

    Much of this course will be practical, culminating in an exhibition a professional portfolio and  a contextual report. There will be practical workshops on a range of photographic media and studio practice. We also have visiting lectures from a range of industry professionals and artists to form part of your continuing professional development.

    How will I be assessed?

    Theory is assessed through a contextual report and presentations, while practical work is judged through portfolio presentations and exhibitions.

    What are the course special features?

    These include:

    • Excellent traditional and digital specialist facilities
    • Research active teaching staff
    • Talks by visiting artists, photographers and art professionals
    • Fine art and commercial approaches to photography
    Are there are any study trips?

    We organise annual international trips for groups of around 30 students across the arts subjects. These are optional but have proved to be valuable for students’ academic and practical experience.

    There are usually one or two trips to Europe each year and at least one long haul trip further afield. Study trips to Europe cost approximately £400-450 while trips to America/Asia cost approximately £1000-1200.

Staff


John Hunt, Senior Lecturer in Photography
John Hunt

Senior Lecturer in Photography


Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Discover
Jose Neves, Senior Lecturer in Photography
Jose Neves

Senior Lecturer in Photography


Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Discover

Careers and Employability


Our Photography degree is excellent preparation for a range of careers in fields such as the commercial and public sectors, marketing, public relations and specialised fields.

With the skills and knowledge developed on our photography undergraduate programme, our graduates have gone on to pursue a wide variety of different photography careers. Opportunities in the field of photography include, but are not limited to;

  • Photographer (event/press/product/etc.)
  • Advertising art director
  • TV camera operator
  • Graphic designer / web designer
  • Multimedia specialist
  • Video editor
  • Museum/gallery curator

You could develop your practice as an independent artist and pursue collaborations, commissions, publication and exhibition opportunities. You would also be well positioned for master’s study.

Master’s Opportunities

Our master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our master’s courses to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

Facilities


Facilities available to UON students include:

  • A black and white darkroom catering for dish processing. Traditional photographic techniques are catered for with rooms for wet processing, and washing and drying film and prints.
  • Two large studios (one day light, and the other with artificial lighting) provide professional standard facilities for a wide range of studio-based photography using film or digital cameras.
  • A digital suite, which is a dedicated digital training room – a complete Mac suite of 22 workstations.
  • Students have access to a range of film and flatbed scanners (including the Hasselblad Flextight Scanner), and fully colour managed computers which are linked to the digital print room.
  • Students also have access to a specialist video editing suite, with industry standard software.