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Photography in the Arts (Part-time) (BA Hons)

Swansea
6 Years Part-time
120 UCAS Points

The Photography in the Arts programme at Swansea College of Art UWTSD encourages you to consider where photography fits within contemporary art practice and visual culture. This course encourages you to take risks and delve into the possibilities of the photographic medium. With an emphasis on conceptual thinking and conceptual photography, you will look at the aesthetic, ethical, and social contexts of both individual and collective human experiences. 

Our programme uses a wide range of media, from traditional and digital to experimental photography techniques and processes. Allowing for a flexible approach to image making, in relation to both subject matter and technique, where you will explore and challenge the conventions of contemporary photographic art practice. You will develop valuable technical photography skills that will serve you throughout your career.  

The photography department has strong links with both the art and commercial media industries. These connections are enhanced by a regular series of visiting lecturers, providing you with opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in the field. This exposure helps you build industry connections that are essential for a successful career in the creative industries. 

Throughout the course, our expert lecturers and technicians will support you in building a professional photographic portfolio. You will learn what is required to have a successful career in the visual arts. Our recent alumni have found employment in various roles, including editorial photographers, advertising photographers, artists, curators, and gallery directors. 

The photography department at boasts an impressive range of facilities, In addition to extensive traditional photography facilities and darkrooms, our digital provision includes a specialist colour-managed digital suite running the latest Adobe software. This includes high resolution Hasselblad film scanners, medium and large format portfolio and exhibition printing. Our small class sizes and friendly atmosphere ensure exceptional interaction between students and staff.  

Course details

Start date:
ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ modes:
  • On-campus
  • Part-time
Language:
  • English
  • Bilingual
Course length:
6 Years Part-time
Entry requirements:
120 UCAS Points

Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year

Why choose this course?

01
Exceptional staff to student contact time with our expert specialists, practicing as photographers, artists and researchers.
02
Direct personal input from industry professionals, including artists, photographers, curators, and picture editors.
03
Opportunities to undertake internships, work with international galleries, museums, and community organisations.

What you will learn

Our philosophy in teaching and learning is to provide a flexible, student-centred approach, encouraging creativity and critical thinking. We aim to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in the dynamic field of photography. 

You will be encouraged to explore ideas and develop skills applicable to contexts such as contemporary art, publishing, advertising, fashion, interiors, architecture and travel. To this end, the course enables you to position and critically articulate your work in relation to your audience and the wider cultural context.  

Fugitive Testimonies

(20 credits)

Visual Studies 1

(10 credits)

Visual Studies 2

(10 credits)

The Artist Zine

(20 credits)

Photographic Art Practice

(20 credits)

Ways of Thinking
Ways of Perceiving
Exhibition 1.0

(20 credits)

Visual Enquiry 1

(10 credits)

Visual Enquiry 2

(10 credits)

World Building

(20 Credits)

Exhibition 2.0

(20 credits)

Experimental Strategies

(20 credits)

Personal Philosophies

(20 credits)

Research in Context

(10 credits)

Research in Practice

(10 credits)

Independent Project

(40 credits)

Advanced Creative Enquiry

(20 credits)

Major Project

(60 credits)

Course Page Disclaimer

  • The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

    You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.

testimonial

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Further information

  • 120 UCAS tariff points  

    e.g. A-levels: ABB, BTEC: DDM, IB: 33 and Portfolio 

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. 

    We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work. 

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    GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Alternative entry routes text  

    If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider:  

    Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE). 

    This is a one-year course offering a comprehensive introduction to art and design, establishing a strong basis for your creative future. During the course, you will engage with a broad range of artistic disciplines and design areas, helping you to discover your passions and refine your skills. 

     Admissions Advice and Support  

    We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    English language requirements  

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. 

    Visa and funding requirements  

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. 

  • Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module; summative assessment takes place at the end of a module. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course which include:

    Lectures

    Usually at the start of a scheduled contact period, lectures will generally consist of a formal presentation giving information relevant to the module, accompanied by visuals, and followed by a screening or group tutorial/activity.

    Group Tutorials

    Depending on the cohort size, module content and individual lecturer preferences, these are usually in groups of no more than six students at a time and delivered over a set period.

    Individual Tutorials

    Most often scheduled for level 5, level 6 & level 7 students, individual tutorials offer a more focused and in-depth opportunity for student feedback and development of ideas. Most often arranged in relation to individual practice modules such as Student-Led Projects. 

    Critiques

    Group critiques are scheduled regularly for all year groups. For level 4 these often form part of the assessment at the end of short projects, for levels 5, 6 & 7 they are scheduled for the purpose of interim reviews and work-in-progress feedback, involving student participation and peer criticism.

    Workshops

    Delivered to teach specific skills to students, group size will depend on the subject and room size and can include project work. These are not usually formally marked but can be subject to group criticism, and informal feedback will be given.

    Presentations

    Formal presentations by students to peers and staff are used for research and development through to finished work. Students usually begin doing presentations at level 4 in small groups to build confidence in the process.

    There are then assessed research presentations to peers at level 5 and Major Project Presentations to staff and other year groups at level 6 & 7. The presentation is an ideal vehicle for developing individual confidence and transferable skills.

  • Interview 

    All applicants to Swansea College of Art are required to have an interview. 

    We really enjoy the interview process, getting to know you and your work, and we feel that this is the best way to find the right students for our programmes. This also ensures that our applicants have all the information they need to make the right choice for them too.

    If you have any queries before your interview, please contact us at artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk.

    Portfolio 

    We ask that you bring a portfolio of some past and current work. Your portfolio is a collection of your most exciting and representative work, showcasing your creative abilities, technical skills, and artistic vision. It tells the story of your creative journey, highlighting your unique style, interests, and ideas as they develop. We interpret the term ‘portfolio’ broadly and are happy for you to do the same - this can include finished pieces, work in progress, sketchbooks, drawings, and projects that are still unfolding, as these give us insight into your thinking and creative process. Whether in physical or digital format, your portfolio is an opportunity to showcase your creative journey in a way that feels authentic to you, with each piece highlighting your creative potential and enthusiasm for the programme you are applying for.  

    We understand that many applicants are still mid-qualification (e.g. A-Level, BTEC, L3, Foundation) and are developing an emerging body of work, so there’s no pressure for everything to be polished or complete. 

  • Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.

    However, art and design students will likely incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, or printing.

    Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course.  We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies, and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.  

    A basic art and design kit will cost approximately £100 but you may well already have much of the equipment required so check with us first.  Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework, you may wish to bring your own digital devices. Check with us first before making a purchase.

    Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions to £200+ for overseas visits. These costs cover things like transport, entry to venues and accommodation and are normally at reduced rates for our students.

  • Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.  

    If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. 

    We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.  

    Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities 

    There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Opportunities to Learn Welsh 

    We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • Students can also take up the opportunity to study a semester in Europe, the USA or Canada.

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