Photography BA(Hons)
Develop the photographic knowledge, conceptual understanding and practical skills you’ll need to enter the creative industries. Whether you're interested in a commercial, arts-based, fashion or editorial role, you'll benefit from the professional experience and connections of our active, practising staff.

Key details
Course Duration | 3 years |
Attendance | Full-time |
UCAS code | W640 |
Location | Penryn Campus |
Contact | 01326 254350 |
Introduction
Photography at Falmouth has a stellar international reputation. During this practice-based course you'll take part in tutorials, seminars, lectures, workshops and group activities, where you’ll develop a range of industry-standard skills and explore theoretical, cultural and professional issues. You'll also have the chance to go on national and international placements, have portfolio reviews from visiting professionals and take on paid commissions from our in-house photo agency.
What our students do
Photographer Selected for Local Exhibition
Catie Close, a third-year Photography student,...
Students Collaborate to Create Art Workshop
Artistic talent can be found in a myriad of places and people, and the ability to sense these...
Season of International Contemporary Art in Cornwall
Students and staff across the University are working closely with the Groundwork project, which...
Student's Journey Across Africa to Capture Plastic Pollution
We chat to third year Photography student Alexander Mourant about how he is helping to document...
Student Shortlisted in Saatchi Gallery Competition
Third year Photography student Ollie Hayward sees his work on display at the Saatchi Gallery...
What our graduates do
Our graduates have gone on to roles like photographer at Cadbury, Big Sky Studios and the Tate Gallery, curator for Midlands Art Centre and sub-editor of Monocle magazine. Others have exhibited at Photographers’ Gallery London and LA Noble Gallery.
Falmouth Photographers Commissioned for National Celebration of Female MPs
In recognition and celebration of the centenary of women’s right to vote, a group of female...
Photography Graduate Selected for Prestigious Cream Exhibition
Only the best graduate photographers in the country have their work selected for exhibition by...
Regional Photography Prize Win
BA(Hons) Photography graduate, Molly Budd, has won the 2018 South...
EIZO Award Winners Earn Prestigious Placements
Two Photography graduates, Lauren Fearn and Irene...
Photography Project Featured in Prestigious Journal
Zoe Harrison, a Photography graduate, has been featured in the...
Super Fly at Superdry
When Mollie Clothier drew up a list of places she'd like to be after graduating from Falmouth in...
Global Acclaim for Final Year Project
Meaning, impact and the catalyst for debate. These are the three things Daniel Adams wants his...
Course details
What you'll learn
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You’ll learn a range of technologies and techniques, examine photographic debates and collaborate on an exhibition project.
Modules
Photographic Practice 1: Introductory Skills
Ways of Seeing, Taking & Making 1
Photographic Practice 2: Group Exhibition Project
Photographic Practice 3: Inquiry, Theory & Practice
Photographic Practice 4: Technologies & Techniques
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We’ll push you to work more independently as you develop your own style. And with live briefs and work placements, you’ll improve your professional and technical abilities.
Modules
Photography Practice 5: Digital Portfolio
Ways of Seeing, Taking & Making 2
Technologies, Techniques & Professional Practice 1
Photography Practice 6 Portfolio Development
Research Project Preparation
Technologies, Techniques & Professional Practice 2
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With improved confidence and a well-rounded skill set, you’ll be ready to complete your final portfolios and dissertation.
Modules
Development Portfolio
Dissertation
Audience and Context
Final Portfolio
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
You’ll take on project work and go on trips to local and national galleries, studios and companies. Your regular learning will come from technical inductions, tutorials, seminars, lectures, workshops and group activities.
You’ll have the opportunity to take on national and international placements, exhibit your work, gain paid work with our in-house photo agency, have portfolio reviews from visiting professionals, and go on an optional study trip to New York.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
1 | 25% | 75% | 0% |
2 | 22% | 72% | 6% |
3 | 22% | 78% | 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
- Continuous assessment of visual, verbal and written assignments.
- Live briefs throughout the course.
- Final-year portfolio.
Staff
You’ll learn from a team of practicing professionals, offering experience in fine art photography, documentary, advertising, publishing, writing and curating. As well as our network of visiting professionals offering extra teaching, portfolio review and placement opportunities.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Steven Tynan
I studied at Bournemouth & Pool College of Art, International Centre of Photography New York...
Mandy Jandrell
Mandy Lee Jandrell is an internationally exhibiting artist working with installation,...
Karen Brett
Karen Brett is an artist & filmmaker who graduated with a BA in Documentary Photography from...
Adrian Brown
Adrian is a senior lecturer on the BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography and heads...
Graham Lawrence
I studied photography and then documentary film making in the late 70's and after working as a...
Dan Cainey
In 2009 I moved to Cornwall to study on the BA(Hons) Press & Editorial Photography course....
Andrew Hilling
After beginning to study BA Philosophy at the University of Reading, I moved back to the visual...
Michelle Sank
Michelle Sank was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She left there in 1978 and has been living in...
Andreas Sterzing
Born in Germany, Andreas studied photography at Munich Academy for Photo Design. After...
Kate Bell
I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan in 2007 with a First Degree Hons in BA Photography....
Facilities
- Large professional studios.
- Black & white and colour darkrooms and process areas.
- Fully colour-managed digital suites.
- Film and paper processing facilities.
- Digital training area with Adobe Creative Suite.
- Professional printing and mounting services.
- Photography store containing a wide range of equipment for loan.
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).
Apply via UCAS
Enter these codes at UCAS Apply and Track
- University code F33
- Course code W640
Deadlines
UK/EU applications: 15 January
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply after the deadline. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Next steps
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a Falmouth Applicant Portal login, where you’ll find more details about these requirements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Shows creativity, visual awareness and communication skills.
- Explores ideas through photography and other media.
- Has a technical awareness.
- Shows evidence of research and writing skills.
- Engages with photography and is aware of practitioners.
- Is interested in contemporary trends or histories of photography.
- Knows about photographic genres and the professional photographic world, through reading or attending exhibitions.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2019-20
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£15,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £500 - Recurring annual costs
- £350-£500 - One off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £500-£1500 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
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
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page