Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)

Why study BA(Hons) Marine and Natural History Photography at University College Falmouth?

BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography course leaflet (1.18 MB)

Falmouth is one of the most exciting places in the country for marine and natural history photography and you'll be constantly inspired and challenged to produce stunning images. This is a unique programme of study; a wildlife photography degree course covering both marine and terrestrial life. Here you'll be able to study and photograph basking sharks, dolphins and exotic creatures like the sunfish in the water, while on land you could wait in a hide for the perfect shot of that elusive raptor, explore the subtropical gardens of Cornwall camera in hand, examine woodland life in close up or even reach for a microscope and delve into the world of diatoms.

This course is the first ever educational partner for Oxford Scientific, the UK's leading natural history picture library, and you'll also have the opportunity to exhibit your work at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth and National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth.

What will I get out of the course?

Studying marine and natural history photography at Falmouth will extend your skills as a communicator using photographs, words and moving image so that you can develop into an accomplished and confident wildlife photographer or filmmaker. Using traditional, electronic, still and moving image technologies, you'll acquire an extensive range of specialist skills and techniques, including photomicrography, close-up, time lapse and filmmaking.

You'll study habitats and species, and understand the scientific basis for the planet's diversity of life - all aided by field trips and enhanced by our relationships with organisations such as the Oxford Scientific, AONB, Wildlife Trusts, National Maritime Museum, Royal Horticultural Society and independent wildlife photographers and film-makers. 

Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography course

"Falmouth is the perfect place to study marine and natural history photography. Whether in the ocean or on land, the wildlife and habitats are so diverse and accessible that the opportunities for creating images are enormous." Mark Deeble & Victoria Stone, wildlife filmmakers, BBC

By choosing to study for a degree in Marine & Natural History Photography at Falmouth you will:

• Benefit from being taught by staff who are all practising photographers and/or scientists.
• Develop your analytical, critical, problem-solving and practical skills.
• Engage with key environmental and ecological debates that will be vitally important to whichever profession you choose.
• Be based at our cutting-edge Photography Centre, which boasts a wide range of world-class facilities.
• Benefit from Falmouth and Cornwall's amazing natural environment, which features access to hundreds of miles of coast, sweeping landscapes and a variety of different habitats including the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Be part of a course, which is a major sponsor of WildPhotos, the national conference for natural history photographers and filmmakers.
• Benefit from the course's unique educational partnership with Oxford Scientific, the UK's leading picture library specialising in natural history images.

Links

• www.osf.co.uk
• www.aonb.org.uk
• www.nmm.ac.uk
• www.rhs.org.uk
• www.national-aquarium.co.uk
• www.nmmc.co.uk
• Press release: Marine & Natural History Photography Makes History

WildPhotos conference

BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography is one of the sponsors of WildPhotos, the main conference for natural history/wildlife photographers. The event attracts several hundred delegates from all over the world and our students meet internationally known wildlife photographers and others from the industry.

The event happens over two days at the Royal Geographical Society in London. It brings together the world's finest photographers specialising in wildlife and the environment. The programme is a combination of presentations, discussion and debate. The imagery shown is captured from the top of giant redwoods down to the depths of the oceans and covers the smallest insects to the largest mammals. Sessions range from story-telling and conservation photography, to the more practical - finding your story and photo techniques. Delegates include students and keen amateurs as well as widely published and acclaimed professionals, NGOs and industry experts.

www.wildphotos.org.uk

Facilities

Our Photography Centre includes:

• The latest equipment for marine and natural history photography
• A specialist laboratory to house microscopes, aquariums and equipment for wildlife specimens
• Digital and traditional processing facilities
• Digital printers
• Dark rooms

Course outline

Level 1

• Photographic Practice
• Principles of Biodiversity & Habitat
• Professional Practice

Level 2

• Photographic Practice
• Global Conservation
• Professional Practice

Level 3

• Major Portfolio
• Long Essay & Critical Reflection on Practice

Answers and advice about the course

If you have any queries about the course please visit our HelpMe Forum

HelpMe Forum

For further information about BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213855. 

Career opportunities

This interaction of art and science is designed to provide you with an informed appreciation of local and global issues, and to help you develop an ethical personalised practice that will enable you to gain employment or progress onto postgraduate study. There are a wide range of related career opportunities including:

• Photographer
• Filmmaker
• Television producer
• Picture researcher
• Environmental agency work
• Conservation group work

Course entry requirements

A minimum of 220 UCAS points, equivalent Level 3 qualifications or relevant experience. You may be required to submit some work to help us decide who to interview.

Successful applicants are generally those with the strongest portfolios, demonstrating experimentation, technical ability and understanding of the art and design process.

For further information about BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213855.

Interview dates and selection process

Interviews will commence in late January.

The interview will include a campus tour, while portfolios are assessed, followed by individual interviews.

Applicants with A levels only will be asked to submit a project and will be selected for interview based on this project. Applicants will be asked to bring a portfolio, containing not only photography, but evidence of research and writing skills, together with any other artwork, 3D work or evidence of idea development, eg sketchbooks or workbooks.

Location: Tremough Campus

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• Photography BA(Hons)
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