Latest News
BBC features Arts University Plymouth Pre-Degree student for Jane Austen photography project
Thursday, 25 September, 2025 — Arts University Plymouth Pre-Degree student Jessica-Ella Gilbert featured by the BBC for Film and Fiction, a Jane Austen anniversary photography project.
An Arts University Plymouth Pre-Degree student has been featured by the BBC after creating an 80-page photographic tribute to Jane Austen’s novels and their film adaptations, published on 17 September 2025.
<p>18-year-old <strong>Jessica-Ella Gilbert</strong>, from Plymouth, completed the <strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design (Photography)</a></strong> at Arts University Plymouth’s dedicated Pre-Degree campus. Her final major project, <em>Film and Fiction</em>, brings together location photography, research and design to mark the <strong>250th anniversary</strong> of Jane Austen’s birth. The work includes images made on location and a self-published book that maps Austen’s stories to their screen adaptations and filming sites.</p>
<p>A key inspiration was <strong>Saltram House</strong> in Plymouth, a <strong>Grade I listed</strong> estate cared for by the National Trust, which also has links to Austen adaptations. Learn more about Saltram House via the National Trust.</p>
Work by Jessica-Ella Gilbert. Photographed by fellow Pre-Degree graduate Finley McDonald
<p>Jessica-Ella’s book and images have attracted national and regional attention, including the BBC feature and local press coverage following this summer’s Pre-Degree Graduate Show at Palace Court. <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/in-pictures-extended-diploma-graduate-show-2025"><strong>See highlights from the 2025 Graduate Show.</strong></a></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/tobie-loates">Tobie Loates</a>, Subject Leader for Extended Diploma Photography at Arts University Plymouth</strong>, said: "Jess’s <em>Film and Fiction</em> project shows exceptional commitment and craft. She combined meticulous research with thoughtful location work and careful post-production to create a cohesive, beautifully paced book. It’s inspiring to see a Pre-Degree student’s work resonate so widely, and richly deserved to be picked up by the BBC.”</p>
<p>Jessica-Ella also served as a <strong>student representative</strong> during her studies, contributing to the creative life of the campus.</p>
Pre-Degree Show 2026. Photographed by Extended Diploma graduate Finley McDonald
<p>Arts University Plymouth’s Pre-Degree programmes offer specialist creative education for 16–19-year-olds, delivered in a vibrant sixth-form environment at <strong>Palace Court</strong> in Plymouth city centre.</p>
<p>Our UAL Level 3 Extended Diplomas are <strong>equivalent to three A-levels</strong> and are designed to support progression into university study or creative careers.</p>
<p>Arts University Plymouth is the <strong>top-scoring specialist arts university in the UK in the National Student Survey for four consecutive years (2022–2025)</strong>. </p>
<ul><li>Explore the <strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design (Photography)</a></strong></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9zev3yn9wo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read the </a><strong><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9zev3yn9wo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC coverage</a></strong></li></ul>
