BA (Hons) Commercial Photography (Jan 2024 Start)
Our January 2024 entry (Spring term) BA (Hons) degrees allow students to study flexibly at home, in the studio or at our dedicated international host institution. You'll complete your first year of study by the beginning of August, progressing straight into your second year in September 2024 after a summer break.
Student Nic Rickard discusses her experience on the Interior Design January Start degree at Arts University Plymouth.
We are excited to offer a selection of BA (Hons) creative courses through our new distance learning provision, starting on 8 January 2024 (click here to see the Key Days for our Distance Learning courses). Our vision for excellence in art and design distance learning, under the banner of our Connected Campus, affords students flexibility in their studies whilst being a valued part of our community.
These three-year courses all share a common distance-learning first year, while specialising in a chosen subject, then progressing into named awards in year two and three.
The first year of your January entry BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course can be studied at home, in your own studio space, or at our dedicated international host institution. You will begin in January 2024, and your studies will finish in August 2024, allowing you to immediately progress on to your second year of study in person, on campus at Arts University Plymouth, in September 2024.
Our BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course will equip you with advanced technical skills in studio and location lighting, digital capture and post-production techniques. This is an integrated programme of study with industry-oriented assignment, hands-on workshops and expert tuition. You will also develop your industry knowledge and professional skills to enable you to find work in high-end commercial photographic practice.
Our curriculum is geared towards employability and enterprise. We develop photographers who are technically proficient, visually sophisticated and professionally astute – who understand trends in the industry, how to pitch for business, and who graduate with a broad range of transferable skills that enable them to succeed in the creative industries.
Working both individually and with real-world mentors, you’ll gain vocational experience to be able to flourish both academically and professionally. You will acquire a broad range of entrepreneurial abilities in marketing, self- promotion and business development, enabling you to develop a financially sustainable practice, fundamental to your success in the industry.
Mark Ronson for NME Magazine, Andy Ford.
Our curriculum includes a rich schedule of visiting lecturers and photographers, many of whom also take an active role in running practical workshops, contributing to group critiques and seminar discussions, and providing portfolio review sessions. And we are regularly visited by talented photography alumni, with graduates including Harry Borden, Suki Dhanda, Tom Oldham and Candice Farmer. Some also provide work placement and assisting opportunities. Sessions by visitors are recorded wherever possible and shared with the university community.
Our students attend world-class events including the annual Visual Culture Symposium in London, where speakers have included picture editors from The Telegraph and The Guardian, amongst acclaimed international photographers. You’ll also be encouraged to enter graduate showcases and awards, with one of our recent graduates winning Best in Show - first runner up, at Free Range 2019.
Beginning in January 2024, your accelerated first-year will take place online, learning remotely with the support of our teaching and technical team, as well as industry practitioners. You’ll develop your confidence in responding to client briefs while demonstrating creative problem-solving and conceptualisation skills.
Our Commercial Photography course also benefits from a strong connection with the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP), with UK students offered free membership.
In the second year, you’ll be able to learn face-to-face with real industry clients and build a professional portfolio using our state-of-the-art facilities. Recent course contributors include Getty Images, The Met Office, Mercedes-Benz, and Pro-Direct Sport. You’ll also benefit from our affiliation with the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP).
Rhiannon Brassington
Our UK students can enjoy access to our photographic resources including industry-standard studios, with an infinity cove to create seamless backdrops for shoots and a series of well-equipped studios for portrait and product photography. We also provide access to lighting and high-end digital camera equipment, large-format scanners, post-production suites and 6,000 pieces of kit that are free to hire from our Equipment Resource Centre.
International students can access facilities available at our dedicated host institution, based in China. Access to specialist facilities can support your studies, however it is not essential to succeed on this course.
Meet BA (Hons) Photography graduate, Andy Ford.
Andrew Young
If you are joining one of our January 2024-start degrees beginning in the Spring term, you will pay the tuition fees advertised for the academic cycle 2023/24.
For new full-time UK students, this will be £9,250 per year. For full-time international and EU students joining us from a partner provider, this will be £16,500. Please note that only a full-time study mode is available for this course, due to the accelerated first-year.
All students at Arts University Plymouth can access specialist support via our Student Support Team. Our trained advisers offer information and guidance on student finance and funding, disability support, counselling and more.
Click here to read more about the support we offer.
For more information on how our January-start degrees work and a full list of courses available, please click here.
- Email: hello@aup.ac.uk / commercialphoto@aup.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)1752 203434
- Insta: @aup_commercialphoto
- Twitter: @commphotopca
