Commercial Photography BA(Hons)

From creating photographs and films for high-end advertising and marketing campaigns to producing branded video content for social media and cutting edge advertorial, you’ll develop a strong creative portfolio for a future in commercial photography.

Key details

Location	Penryn Campus
Course Duration	3 years
Attendance	Full-time
UCAS code	W643
Contact	01326 254350
Subject to validation during this academic year	✔

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Introduction

This course is new for entry year 2020.

With a solid understanding of advertising, marketing, branding, narrative and audience, you’ll produce innovative photographic, video and multimedia content to tell compelling, omni-channel stories, using the latest camera technology and professional lighting systems in our state-of-the-art studios and digital post-production suites.

You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with Creative Advertising students at our Falmouth Campus on live campaigns and brand strategies, and shoot real commissions with our in-house agency, MAYN Creative, building your professional network through work experience in industry.

You will:

Work on real industry challenges, building the skills to respond to client briefs - from concept through to pitch and delivery.
Explore still life, food, product, portrait, beauty, fashion, location, lifestyle, documentary, interiors and architecture in both still and moving image.
Gain a thorough understanding of planning, project management and workflow - including pre and post-production, design, layout and retouching.
Acquire valuable skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, negotiation and collaboration, alongside budget management and legal and ethical considerations.

Course details

What you'll learn

You’ll gain a solid understanding of advertising, marketing, branding, narrative and audience. Using industry-standard technologies, equipment and processes, you’ll produce innovative photographic, video and multimedia content.

Year one

From day one you’ll develop specialist photographic skills and learn to market yourself as a professional visual content producer. You’ll explore the contexts and histories of modern advertising and the fundamentals of marketing communications, and we’ll introduce you to a range of commercial photography and moving image-making techniques and technologies.

Year two

Through portfolio development, live briefs and work placements you’ll raise your level of technical ability, explore the commercial environment and build on your critical and collaborative working skills. You’ll also begin to investigate using photography and moving image within multichannel campaigns and use theories and concepts to critically reflect on the impact of emerging technologies.

Year three

This year is your chance to shape your professional and creative identity. Putting your skills to use, you’ll showcase your unique photographic practice and critical mind through your final contextual project, portfolio and degree show.

How you'll learn

You’ll build valuable technical, critical and business skills through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group ‘crits’, work placements and masterclasses from industry experts.

How you’ll spend your time

Year	Timetabled teaching and learning activity	Guided independent study	Placements
1	35%	65%	0%
2	25%	70%	5%
3	25%	75%	0%

How you’ll be assessed

Year	Written exams	Practical exams	Coursework
1	0%	0%	100%
2	0%	0%	100%
3	0%	0%	100%

Assessment methods

Coursework assignments with no formal examinations.
Portfolios, projects, exhibitions, journals, presentations and papers.

Staff

As well as our staff of experienced photography, advertising and branding practitioners, you’ll gain insights and placement opportunities from a network of inspiring visiting professionals.

Facilities

Hire stores housing a huge range of professional digital cameras, lenses and peripherals.
Professional photographic studios and lighting.
Location lighting kits.
Digital post-production suites.
In-house professional Photo Lab.
Discounted student membership through our affiliation with the Association of Photographers.
A range of creative workshops across the university through the Workshops Festival and Wednesday Open Workshops.

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How to apply

Entry requirements

104 - 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications like A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

We’ll also consider you based on your individual merit and potential. So get in touch if:

You’re predicted points below our requirements
You’re thinking about transferring from another institution
You have other qualifications or professional experience

Language requirements

GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.

We also accept qualifications equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees 2019-20

£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£15,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £200-300 per year for photographic materials
- £300-£1000 throughout degree for optional study visits and placement
- £300-£500 for degree show portfolio production in your final year
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Tuition fees 2020-21

£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£16,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £200-300 per year for photographic materials
- £300-£1000 throughout degree for optional study visits and placement
- £300-£500 for degree show portfolio production in your final year
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

Funding

For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page

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Open Days and Campus Tours

See how we turn real industry experience into real careers.

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