Press & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)
This fast-paced degree teaches you to become a dynamic visual storyteller, working across all photographic media, from digital to video, to traditional film. Join the only course of its kind in the UK. Providing students with industry expertise and professional insight.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | WP65 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Apply now
Introduction
Supported by our internationally renowned academic team and industry partners, you’ll learn to shoot with a clear sense of purpose. Working in long-form documentary photography, breaking news, sport and fashion, as well as immersive multimedia narrative, you’ll acquire the skills you need to tell stories in fresh and engaging ways.
You will:
- Work as a professional photographer from the start, while gaining valuable industry insight and technical know-how.
- Have full access to our state-of-the-art educational photographic facility.
- Benefit from a programme of visiting lecturers and industry mentors.
- Enjoy opportunities for local, national and international work placements.
- Exhibit your photography in London during the course’s annual Professional Week.
Covid-19 update
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have reviewed and made changes to our courses to provide flexible, blended delivery that offers high-quality digital engagement and access to face-to-face teaching in our facilities. You can see how your course may be adjusted by viewing the changes for the current academic year by visiting our welcome letters & latest course updates pages
What our students do
Photography Student Snaps Best in Show at the AOP Student Awards
Splendid Isolation in Scotland
Student film on BBC The Social
Four Students Nominated for UK Photography Awards
Student Captures Strength of Storm Ciara for the News
Student on Assignment for Getty Images
Institute of Photography Publishes Zine Celebrating Student Work
Photographer Inspires Students
Double-Whammy: Two Students Shortlisted for Photographer of the Year
Photography Student Wins BBC Award
What our graduates do
Our graduates have directed their career paths towards roles in photojournalism, editing, curating, research, and publication.
Splendid Isolation in Scotland
Graduate Fighting Against Acid Attacks
Photographer Shortlisted for Regional Award
Photography Grad Becomes NatGeo Explorer
Powerful Photography: Graduate Lands Job at Barcroft Media
Falmouth Photographers Commissioned for National Celebration of Female MPs
Photographers Shortlisted for Regional Prize
Photographers Shortlisted for Renowned Exhibition
The Dark Figure
Course details
What you'll learn
From day one, you’ll work as a photographer in the field and the studio, acquiring the essential skills of visual storytelling.
From photography’s history and theories to essential technical and creative skills, this photojournalism course will teach you what lies behind the everyday practice of photographers and publications. You’ll study practical modules, communication and copyright, and magazine and layout production.
Modules
Elements of Photographic Narrative
In this module, you’ll develop your narrative photographic technique through a series of assignments designed to build your skills of observation, your ability to find stories and the technical understanding required to create compelling images.
Professional Practice
This module will equip you with the basis for your growing identity as a professional photographer. You’ll build your own website, create your CV and develop a network of professional contacts.
Histories, Theories, Practices and Contexts of Editorial Photography and Visual Storytelling
We’ll cover key debates and theories in communication and cultural studies, such as the changing role of photography as a social practice; how photojournalism has evolved within news and magazine industries; the growth of digital storytelling; the changing political and economic structures of journalism, and its role in shaping public opinion.
Photographic Narrative in Context
You’ll produce relevant, real-world work that aligns with, and is attractive to, pre-existing editorial print spaces and clients. As part of this, you will recognise valid content relevant to specific spaces, by understanding products, audiences and markets within a press and editorial context.
Critical approaches to reading the image
This module provides an introduction to the varying ways that images convey meaning, and how we read them. Through a series of lectures, discussions, workshops and student-led seminars, you’ll engage with the origins of these theoretical and philosophical conventions in image communication.
We’ll explore theoretical studies alongside ethics, representation and media law. You’ll develop audio and multimedia skills, and promote your work in print, online and at an exhibition in London. We’ll also help you develop your professional network as you complete a work placement and get the opportunity to study abroad.
Modules
Audio Visual & Multimedia
This module will demonstrate the power and potential of multimedia storytelling. Through an introduction to the diversity inherent within multimedia practice, and via practical workshops and processes, you will learn how to marry story, content and context to create work that resonates with an audience.
Media Law, Ethics & Human Rights
Through this module, you’ll develop a working knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks that impact on story identification, gathering and publishing across digital and print media.
Audiences
This module introduces you to the theory and practice of engaging and understanding audiences across a range of media and contexts. Working in groups, you will develop the identity of your project, assign the necessary roles to manage the project, and complete the production, editing and curation of content.
Cultural & Critical Context or News, Editorial and Photojournalism Genre
We’ll consider generic conventions across media and how they shape public knowledge. In doing so, we’ll look at specific journalism, documentary, editorial, photojournalism and visual storytelling genres. A combination of lectures and seminars will encourage you to critically contextualise practices with wider social, cultural, technical and political contexts.
On top of producing a multi-part developmental portfolio and completing your dissertation, you’ll work toward a final major project in a subject area and medium of your choice.
Modules
Developmental portfolio
The developmental portfolio is driven by and designed for each individual, being built upon previous portfolio success and married to the unique aspirations of each student. You’ll be supported in this development process through stages of proposal, portfolio and reflection. You will align your ambitions and abilities with the five-part practical construct, ensuring that your unique voice is heard and supported. This module will help you to identify your specific strengths, which will direct future possibilities.
Dissertation
Your dissertation is the major piece of academic work undertaken in the final year of study, and is an opportunity for you to explore your own interests. While writing, you’ll engage with research and analysis into the historical and professional concepts, practices and theories that have been introduced during the course. Although supported by workshops, seminars and specific supervision, the emphasis of this module is student-led independent learning.
Final portfolio
Building on previous experience, and especially upon the strengths of your developmental portfolio, you’ll design individual and unique outputs that speak to an identified audience. Evidencing a deep and clear understanding of context and purpose, your creative work will be dictated by you with the support of your tutors. Your final submission will be highly professional, creative and critically engaged.
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.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
How you'll learn
You’ll take on practical projects and build your portfolio, as well as completing essays, lectures and seminar presentations. Throughout this exciting photojournalism course, you’ll have the chance to complete work placements in places like New York, Amsterdam and London, gain paid commissions at our in-house photo agency, and work with our industry partners around the world. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your technical skills through local and international study trips and workshops, while our visiting lecture programme will introduce you to some of the photo industry’s most influential practitioners.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 31% | 69% | 0% |
2 | 20% | 75% | 5% |
3 | 11% | 89% | 0% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Assessment methods
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations.
- Portfolios, presentations and essays.
- End of year project and exhibition.
Staff
You’ll learn from our team’s experience working with companies like the New York Daily News, The Sunday Times Magazine, Rex/Shutterstock, The Guardian Magazine, Marie Claire, and The South China Morning Post.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Tom Ingate
My undergraduate was in photographic communication from Falmouth Collage of Art and my teacher...
Gretchen Viehmann
Gretchen has been the Director of Photography for both the New York Post and the New York Daily...
Eva Cooney
My work as a photographer is rooted in classic photojournalism but since then I have developed a...
Dan Cainey
In 2009 I moved to Cornwall to study on the BA(Hons) Press & Editorial Photography course. After...
David White
I joined Falmouth University in 2011. Prior to my appointment as course leader on Press & Editorial...
Graham Lawrence
I studied photography and then documentary film making in the late 70's and after working as a...
Kate Bell
I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan in 2007 with a First Degree Hons in BA Photography. During...
Dave Mann
I have worked as a professional photographer and photography educator for many ...
Facilities
- Large professional-standard studios
- Black & white and colour darkrooms
- Fully colour-managed digital suites
- Film and paper processing facilities
- Digital training area with Adobe Software
- Professional printing and mounting services
- Photography store containing a wide range of equipment for loan
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the university and course codes below.
- University code: F33
- Course code: WP65
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
Application advice & interview information
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK/EU applications: 29 January 2021 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Has visual skills, technical ability and engages with photographic narrative.
- Can communicate verbally and through writing.
- Knows about photographic history, contemporary practitioners and current affairs.
- Is curious about the world, and eager to explore through photography and storytelling.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
£9,250 per year - full-time UK/EU
£16,000 per year - full-time international
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£16,950 - full-time EU
£16,950 - full-time international
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.
Typical course costs
- £300 - Recurring annual costs
- £500-£700 - One off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £800-£1000 - 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
Ask a student
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