Introduction
Whether you wish to become a practicing photographer - or specialise in supplying a technical service such as image editing - you’ll benefit from the practical skills, knowledge and critical analysis that this course delivers.
At the end of your studies, you’ll have an internationally-recognised undergraduate qualification.
You will also have an extensive photographic project, that will see you well on your way to making your career aspirations a reality.
On this course you will:
This course is built to help individuals committed to improving the quality of their practice, and to making practical work that contributes to society, the economy and the environment.
The course accomplishes this by equipping you with the real-world capabilities needed to make an impact within the industry. During your studies, you’ll develop the resourcefulness and imagination required to elevate your output – plus the professional skills to navigate the creative sphere.
Join one of our Course Advisors and Course Leader Jesse Alexander for an overview of the Top-Up, the entry requirements and how it can help you achieve your goals. Watch now:
Upon graduating, you’ll be well-positioned to secure work within your specialism. Your degree can also help you pursue other roles that would benefit from your offering. Some examples include working as an art therapist, digital marketer, gallery curator, or visual merchandiser.
In addition to the guidance offered by our tutors, you can also access our RealWORKS, our careers and employability service throughout your studies, and for up to 5 years following graduation.
Our expert team will help you identify potential opportunities in the UK or internationally, prepare for job interviews, advise you on starting up your own business, and more.
You should have:
240 HE credits in a related subject for example, from the first 2 years of a degree, a completed Foundation Degree or HND.
A digital portfolio of practice that demonstrates the quality of your photographic practice, and your creative potential. This may include published work, personal projects, or work made on a recent course.
If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:
We accept a number of additional English language qualifications as well. All applications are considered on an individual basis, and may or may not include an interview.
Candidates without a degree or formal qualification are also encouraged to apply. If you have prior learning or experience with this subject, you may even be able to apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). You can learn more about this via our APL guide.
For more information on course requirements, including advice regarding your eligibility, please get in touch via the form at the end of this page.
What you’ll learn
You will experiment with a range of practical and creative approaches, and our expert team of teaching staff will equip you with the industry skills and knowledge necessary to discover your own professional niche.
Course structure
For the BA(Hons) Photography (Top-Up), you will need to complete two 40-credit modules and one 40-credit major project (120 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award.
Please note the module orders are subject to change.
Contemporary Approaches in Practice (40 credits)
In the first module, you will be introduced to key themes and concepts in contemporary photography.
You will be encouraged to experiment with a range of practical and creative approaches, and produce a small independent project to be assessed at the end of the module.
Professional Contexts and Development (40 credits)
In the second module you will learn about the range of professional contexts for contemporary photography.
Alongside this, you will draw upon practical work produced during the first module, and develop an independent practical project that is both critically informed and aligned with relevant professional context(s).
Major Project (40 credits)
In the final module, you will either further extend the practical project you began in the previous module, or work on a single, new body of work.
By the end of the module you will have produced an extensive photographic project, ideally of a publishable standard.
Want to learn more about any of the modules?
Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.
Contemporary Approaches in Practice (40 credits)
In the first module, you will be introduced to key themes and concepts in contemporary photography.
You will be encouraged to experiment with a range of practical and creative approaches, and produce a small independent project to be assessed at the end of the module.
Professional Contexts and Development (40 credits)
In the second module you will learn about the range of professional contexts for contemporary photography.
Alongside this, you will draw upon practical work produced during the first module, and develop an independent practical project that is both critically informed and aligned with relevant professional context(s).
Major Project (40 credits)
In the final module, you will either further extend the practical project you began in the previous module, or work on a single, new body of work.
By the end of the module you will have produced an extensive photographic project, ideally of a publishable standard.
Want to learn more about any of the modules?
Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.
With Falmouth Flexible, you access your course content, interactions with other students and tutors, and learning resources, through Canvas, an easy-to-use online platform.
You can access the course wherever you are in the world, and you can stop, pause and rewind lectures whenever you want.
Engaging learning activities will help you apply theory to practice. They could include:
Concise online presentations to introduce key concepts
Small group and class discussions and crits to facilitate interaction and dialogue
Online critiques to test assumptions, ideas and to receive feedback from peers and tutors
Individual and group tutorials throughout the course
Independent study
Self-evaluation and peer feedback.
All assessments are taken and submitted online.
The ratio of practice-to-theory is approximately 60% practical, 40% theory.
As one of our students, you’ll have access to a range of services designed to support your studies and make your time with us as enjoyable as possible.
Falmouth’s comprehensive online library of books, journals, and resources
A Student Advisor team to answer non-academic queries
Online software tutorials via LinkedIn Learning
The Students' Union community
Career advice, CV creation, practice interviews, and more via our careers platform
Designed with employer-focused learning at the core, our BA(Hons) Photography (Top-Up) team work with global organisations, staff and alumni to provide you with the breadth of experience and networks needed to accelerate your career.
"My goal was to formalise my education and experience into a degree. I'm based in the United States with a very busy work schedule, and Falmouth Flexible provided me with the flexibility I required to accommodate work and study. I believe Falmouth to be an exceptional University and this course is the perfect solution for full-time working professionals like myself."
Many applicants already know that they are likely to continue their studies to masters level where they will be able to further their passion, knowledge and skills.
For these students we can guarantee both an offer and a place on our sought after MA Photography, provided you are awarded a 2:1. You will also save £3,600 on the course fee. Please contact us for more information on +44 (0)1223 447713.
Up to twice a year, you’ll have the optional opportunity to meet your classmates and tutors in person. Dates and location of the events will vary. Events usually incorporate a weekend to accommodate busy schedules. They may coincide with the face-to-face events held for the MA Photography students.
Our latest event saw students from both the BA and MA photography courses gather together virtually to explore darkroom practices, including making prints from materials found in their fridges and gardens:
Previous face-to-face events have included a visit to the Arles festival in France.
The Arles festival has been running for 50 years and is one of the most important annual fixtures of the world of contemporary photography. As well as a week of talks, screenings, openings and other events, the festival is primarily a summer-long collection of exhibitions.
Falmouth Flexible MA Photography and BA(Hons) Top-Up students attended various exhibits at the festival, alongside Course Coordinator Jesse Alexander and Module Leader Wendy McMurdo.
The event also included social events and portfolio reviews, where students received feedback on their current works in progress.
Find out more about face-to-face events on our student experience page.
Before you submit your application, please contact one of our course advisors so they can guide you through the process and ensure you submit the best application possible for entry into the course.
Call us on +44 (0)1223 447713.
Late applications may be considered if places are available.
For free advice, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable course advisors on +44 (0)1223 447713.
Total course fee
£6,935 (including £250 acceptance fee)
Payment options
Payment methods
Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
All students on the course are expected to have access to their own photographic equipment.
What this will consist of will vary according to your practice and preferred ways of working. Typically, this will mean a good quality DSLR plus the lenses you require.
You will also need to purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud and have a laptop/desktop capable of running these applications.
For further advice, please call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Loans
You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.
Application offers
We also offer bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Total course fee
£6,935 (including £250 acceptance fee)
Payment options
Payment methods
Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
All students on the course are expected to have access to their own photographic equipment.
What this will consist of will vary according to your practice and preferred ways of working. Typically, this will mean a good quality DSLR plus the lenses you require.
You will also need to purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud and have a laptop/desktop capable of running these applications.
For further advice, please call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Loans
You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.
Application offers
We also offer bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
As part of a project for his BA(Hons) Photography (Top-Up), student Elias Tsigounis has documented the nurses and midwives working at King's College Hospital, London.
If you have any questions about the programme, our experienced course advisors are here to help.
You can call our friendly and knowledgeable team on +44 1223 447713.
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