Arts University Plymouth BA (Hons) Photography named joint AOP Accredited Course of the Year

<p>For the first time in the history of the awards, the Association of Photographers announced three joint winners in each category. <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography">BA (Hons) Photography </a>at Arts University Plymouth shares the honours with Photography courses and lecturers at the University of Gloucestershire and London Metropolitan University.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Both awards were decided by students, recognising the contribution of the winning lecturers and the positive, supportive learning environments created by their courses.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Gabriel Van Ingen said:</strong> “Being recognised by the AOP is a tremendous honour, particularly because these awards were voted for by students. Our aim is to create a supportive and ambitious environment where students can take creative risks, develop a distinctive visual voice and gain the practical and professional experience they need to build careers in photography.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The AOP Lecturer of the Year award may carry my name, but this recognition reflects the commitment of the whole BA (Hons) Photography community at Arts University Plymouth. I’m immensely proud of our students and grateful to the academic and technical colleagues, visiting practitioners and industry partners who all contribute to the course.”</p>

<p dir="ltr">The AOP honours follow exceptional feedback from<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-nss-2026-results"> BA (Hons) Photography students in the National Student Survey 2026</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The course received <strong>100% positive responses to 18 of the survey’s 27 individual questions</strong>, with positive responses of <strong>90% or above to 25 of the 27 questions</strong>.</p> <p dir="ltr">This included 100% positive responses to both questions in the NSS scale ‘Academic support’:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“How well have teaching staff supported your learning?”</p></li></ul> <p dir="ltr">Questions about teaching, creative challenge and students’ future development also received 100% positive responses, including:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“How good are teaching staff at explaining things?”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?”</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">“How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?”</p></li></ul> <p dir="ltr">Individual student work has also received national recognition from the AOP. Arts University Plymouth Photography student <strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tomgormleyphoto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Gormley</a></strong> was selected as a finalist in the Things category of the <a href="https://www.aopawards.com/2026-aop-student-awards-finalist-galleries/">2026 AOP Student Awards</a>, which showcase emerging photographic talent from courses across the UK.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Professor Stephen Felmingham, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Artistic Research at Arts University Plymouth, said:</strong> “The combination of student-voted AOP recognition and exceptional NSS feedback is powerful evidence of the strength of Photography at Arts University Plymouth. Students are telling us that they value both the creative challenge of the course and the support they receive from its staff.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Gabriel and the Photography team have created a course that combines expert teaching and ambitious creative practice with specialist resources and meaningful engagement with industry. Congratulations to Gabriel, his academic and technical colleagues, and the students whose work continues to earn national attention.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-photography">BA (Hons) Photography at Arts University Plymouth</a> combines creative exploration with preparation for work across the contemporary photographic and creative industries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Students explore fashion, editorial, heritage and culture, and commercial production while developing expertise in studio and location photography, lighting, styling, creative direction, retouching and post-production.</p> <p dir="ltr">They work with industry-standard equipment and have access to photographic studios, a photographic cove, darkrooms and digital production facilities. Live briefs, placements, visiting professionals, portfolio reviews and Photography Festival events create opportunities to test ideas, make professional connections and develop a distinctive visual practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">Applications are open through <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/clearing">Clearing</a> for September 2026.<br /></p>