BA (Hons) Visual Communication: Photography

You will be able to set your creative talents free in your own dedicated work space in our University Centre in Hastings. The course is designed to allow you to become the photographer you want to be, whether that be in advertising, documentary, commercial, fine art or expressive.

• You will have access to our bespoke photographic studio, exclusively used by our degree students, plus dark room and latest PC and Mac editing software to enable you to shoot, develop and edit your images.
• Our thought-provoking lectures will give you the confidence to create strong photographic images enabling you to develop your own visual language that achieve your aims and successfully meet the needs of clients or your own personal direction.
• Develop your software skills in Adobe Photoshop, PremierePro, InDesign, and Lightroom.
• Our smaller class sizes are a real advantage. It means you will be able to enjoy increased contact time with your tutor, and fellow students, getting great value for money.
• We believe that our degree will give you an abundance of transferable skills, reinforcing the vocational aspects of the course, providing you with intellectual flexibility and sustainability to take into your future career.
• Our photography tutors are highly experienced degree-level educators who have many years working in related industries. You will have the opportunity to raise your profile as a photographer through a range of activities during the course, including work experience placements in the industry, entering your work into local and national competitions, and exhibiting your work at our degree show.
• There are opportunities for visits to local, national and international galleries, engagement in live projects and industry placements all of which will provide you with the potential to gain valuable knowledge and experience.
• The historic town of Hastings has a rich and eclectic mix of communities, architecture, festivals, landscapes, culture, art, sports, leisure and more, meaning you will never be short of subject matter or inspiration.

Minimum of 64 UCAS points (160 old system) from a BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma / A Levels / Foundation Diploma / Access Diploma in a related subject; if English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 with a 6 in writing; proof of qualifications; a satisfactory reference.

Each module will be studied over a period of 6 - 10 weeks and will include the following;

Year One Modules;

• Light and Camera
• Traditional and Digital Media
• Moving Image
• Generate Communicate
• Contextual Studies 1
• Professional Development

Year Two modules;

• Extending Practice
• Applied Practice
• Contextual Studies 2
• Work Experience
• Portfolio Project

Year Three modules;

• Specialist Practice
• Extended Essay
• Professional Practice
• Major Project

All work is assessed according to regulations from the University of Brighton, and externally examined at the end of the year.

At the end of three years you will achieve a BA (Hons) Photography validated by the University of Brighton, and will be invited to graduate at the celebratory ceremonies in Brighton.

Once you have graduated, you will have a diverse range of transferable skills that will enable you to start your career in this exciting industry. You will be fully equipped to seek out roles and apply your knowledge as a freelance photographer, or perhaps in an agency. Other options could include further study onto MA Photography programmes.

All of our practical degree courses may require extra costs depending on what specific area of practice you decide to pursue, though we do have a large amount of photographic equipment which can be loaned to you.

Other typical costs include trips and visits and supplementary materials related to your interests.