Photography MA (Online)

This module enables you to locate your practice within the broad contexts of professional contemporary photography. 

You will consider the importance of research in both academic and industry contexts, and critically reflect on core themes in contemporary visual culture. 

Through discursive activities with staff and peers, as well as self-directed research and personal reflection, you will analyse your practice in relation to specific themes and articulate your practical and conceptual intentions as an image-maker. 

(30 credits)

You will be introduced to the themes and debates that are fundamental to the study and consumption of imagery and will increase your understanding of how contemporary practice is enriched through critical and theoretical contextualisation. 

You will consider your own practice in relation to historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives around visual culture, helping you develop an informed and sophisticated photographic practice. 

(30 credits)

This module considers the myriad ways in which photography can be presented, and how its form influences how it is received and understood by audiences. 

You will explore the many creative strategies involved in the production, resolution, and publication of photographic work, and consider the possibility of interdisciplinary approaches in the making and presentation of your own creative output. Alongside this you’ll consider how your practice and research connects with the broader social, political and ecological landscape, and begin to engage new audiences with your work.  

As you study, you’ll devise strategies and workflows that are conscious of material consumption and work towards professional, and ecological and environmental sustainability. 

(30 credits)

This module strives to increase your understanding and appreciation of the roles, relationships, and responsibilities that can play a major part in progressing and sustaining your creative practice. 

As part of this, you will be encouraged to undertake commissions and work placements during this module, and to devise or engage in photography and visual arts initiatives relevant to your work. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to collaborate on a live brief with a small group of peers. These briefs will be set by clients and allow you to gain experience with real industry challenges. 

(30 credits)

This module provides you with the chance to produce a critically and professionally informed research project and deliver it to a public audience. 

You will submit a proposal outlining a scheme of work and the critical contexts surrounding your project. You’ll then work continuously on the module over the course of two study blocks, working closely with your peers and supported by your supervisor. 

The project will be your opportunity to demonstrate increasing autonomy in respect of your research capabilities. 

You will also continue to benefit from the programme’s ongoing series of guest lectures by leading contemporary practitioners and industry experts. 

(60 credits)

How will I study online? 

You'll learn through a blend of recorded learning content, learning activities, guest talks, tasks and discussion forums, which you'll access via our dedicated virtual learning environment. This is also where you'll find all key documentation, get course announcements and access extensive learning resources. 

Based on the total learning time for the Postgraduate online courses, an average study week can be up to 25 hours. As our online courses are intended to be flexible, the time required to study will vary based on the level of study, the module week, and individual learning pace. 

You'll have weekly contact with faculty staff, and will be supported academically by Online Tutors throughout each module. If you need assistance with anything that isn't directly related to course material, a dedicated Student Advisor team will be on hand to help. You'll also have access to Falmouth University's excellent Employability Service. 

Find out more about learning online

Assessment methods

All assessments are taken and submitted online.

Assessment methods for the master's degree in Photography can typically include:

• Coursework assessment with no formal examinations
• Oral presentations
• Collaborations on live, client briefs
• Projects, individual reports and public presentations

• Dedicated easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE)
• Accessible online audio / visual content
• A Student Advisor to support you throughout your studies and access to our Student Support Services
• Access to our Employability Service
• 24/7 access to Falmouth's extensive online library of contextual books, journals and resources
• Access to online software tutorials at LinkedIn Learning
• Students' Union community
• Optional in-person events
• Invitation to attend alumni events

Although online students don't have access to on-campus facilities as part of the course, you can hire equipment and access facilities by paying a charge. Find out more about availability and prices here.

You can apply to begin your studies in January 2026 by selecting the relevant course route below:

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

You can apply to begin your studies in May 2026 by selecting the relevant course route below:

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

You can apply to begin your studies in September 2026 by selecting the relevant course route below:

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

Qualifications

An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. If you'd like to discuss our entry requirements, speak to an advisor. 

Portfolio

A digital portfolio of your current photographic practice. The portfolio should indicate both your technical aptitude and the quality and sophistication of your practice. 

You shouldn’t attempt to encompass a range of styles and genres of photography, but rather try to give the admissions team a sense of your practice specialisms and your interests as a practitioner. 

You should title or briefly caption each image in your portfolio, explaining - if necessary - how the image is indicative of your practice and why you have selected it. 

If you'd like to talk to us about your application, get in touch. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.5 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, and Listening, and a minimum of 6.0 in speaking.

We also accept a range of other recognised English language qualifications.  You can visit our English Language Requirements page for more information. 

For more information about equivalent international qualifications or English language requirements please contact our friendly Course Advisors. 

There were no additional costs recommended for students joining this course in September 2025. 

In this module, you’ll explore how research and critical analysis underpin contemporary photographic practice. You’ll examine the relationship between theory and technique, developing a reflective and adaptable approach that strengthens your creative practice. 

You’ll engage with photography as a global medium, expanding your perspective beyond traditional Eurocentric histories. Through lectures, set texts and discussions, you’ll explore how photography intersects with social, ecological and political contexts worldwide. 

In this first stage, you’ll critically analyse your own creative practice to help refine your ideas and begin shaping the direction of your photographic research project. 

(30 credits) 

You’ll explore how ideas, critical themes and concepts can enrich your photographic work, connecting your practice to broader historical, philosophical and ethical perspectives. 

Through lectures, webinars and discussions, you’ll engage with key themes in visual culture; from ways of seeing and subjectivity to the political nature of photography in relation to current global issues. 

As you progress, you’ll reflect on how these ideas shape your own creative practice and research interests, building a more informed, critically engaged approach to your image making. 

(30 credits) 

This module explores how contemporary photographic work is produced and shared with the world. 

You’ll experiment with different creative strategies, materials and processes, testing new ways to produce and present your work. You’ll also consider how the way in which your images are published or displayed shapes their meaning and impact. 

You’ll examine how photography relates to economic, social and environmental sustainability, and develop approaches that question consumerism and promote circular, regenerative ways of making. 

By the end of the module, you’ll have developed new strategies and workflows that strengthen both your creative practice and your awareness of photography’s wider impact. 

(30 credits) 

This module helps you explore what it means to work as a professional photographer in today’s creative industries. You’ll learn how collaboration, networking and partnerships with institutions, clients and peers can help sustain and grow your practice. 

You’ll examine how your work connects with different audiences, communities and contexts, and consider the responsibilities that come with creative authorship. 

A key part of the module is a live brief, where you’ll collaborate with your peers on real-world projects set by external clients. These industry challenges will help you apply your skills in professional settings, develop your confidence and demonstrate independence, initiative and professionalism. 

(30 credits) 

This final module is your opportunity to bring everything together, producing a professional and ethically informed body of work that showcases your creative practice. 

You’ll begin by developing a detailed proposal, then refine your ideas, methodologies and conceptual approach with the support of your supervisor. Throughout, you’ll benefit from one-to-one tutorials, peer critiques, and industry insights from our ongoing guest lecturer programme and face-to-face events. Guest lectures are live, but always recorded and students can access the archive of past speakers on demand. 

Your final project could take many forms, from an exhibition or installation to a publication, online project, public screening, talk or workshop. You’ll be encouraged to share your work publicly, gaining hands-on experience in planning and promoting an event, engaging audiences, and marketing yourself as a creative professional. 

(60 credits) 

You'll learn through a blend of recorded learning content, learning activities, guest talks, tasks and discussion forums, which you'll access via our dedicated virtual learning environment. This is also where you'll find all key documentation, get course announcements and access extensive learning resources.  

Based on the total learning time for the Postgraduate online courses, an average study week can be up to 25 hours. As our online courses are intended to be flexible, the time required to study will vary based on the level of study, the module week, and individual learning pace.  

You'll have weekly contact with faculty staff, and will be supported academically by Online Tutors throughout each module. If you need assistance with anything that isn't directly related to course material, a dedicated Student Advisor team will be on hand to help. You'll also have access to Falmouth University's excellent Employability Service. 

Find out more about learning online

Assessment methods 

All assessments are taken and submitted online. 

Assessment methods for the master's degree in Photography can typically include: 

• Coursework assessment with no formal examinations 
• Portfolio reviews 
• Oral presentations 
• Collaborations on live, client briefs 
• Projects, individual reports and public presentations 

• Dedicated easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE) 
• Accessible online audio / visual content 
• A Student Advisor to support you throughout your studies and access to our Student Support Services 
• Access to our Employability Service 
• 24/7 access to Falmouth's extensive online library of contextual books, journals and resources 
• Access to online software tutorials at LinkedIn Learning 
• Students' Union community 
• Optional in-person events 
• Invitation to attend alumni events 

Although online students don't have access to on-campus facilities as part of the course, you can hire equipment and access facilities by paying a charge. Find out more about availability and prices here. 

You can apply to begin your studies in January 2026 by selecting the relevant course route below:

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

You can apply to begin your studies in May 2026 by selecting the relevant course route below:

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

You can apply to begin your studies in September 2026 by selecting the relevant course route below:

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

Qualifications

An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. If you'd like to discuss our entry requirements, speak to an advisor. 

Portfolio

A digital portfolio of your current photographic practice. The portfolio should indicate both your technical aptitude and the quality and sophistication of your practice. 

You shouldn’t attempt to encompass a range of styles and genres of photography, but rather try to give the admissions team a sense of your practice specialisms and your interests as a practitioner. 

You should title or briefly caption each image in your portfolio, explaining - if necessary - how the image is indicative of your practice and why you have selected it. 

If you'd like to talk to us about your application, get in touch. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.5 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, and Listening, and a minimum of 6.0 in speaking.

We also accept a range of other recognised English language qualifications.  You can visit our English Language Requirements page for more information. 

For more information about equivalent international qualifications or English language requirements please contact our friendly Course Advisors. 

There were no additional costs recommended for students joining this course in September 2025.