Commercial Photography
University of Cumbria
UCAS Code: W287 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with 45 at level 3
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Higher
T Level
UCAS Tariff
You may also need to…
Attend an interview
Present a portfolio
About this course
Are you looking to work in advertising, architecture, sports, fashion or content creation? Want to become a leading commercial photographer?
Our bespoke degree will set you up with the technical skills, business knowledge and confidence to work in the fast-paced, high-intensity world of commercial photography.
At the University of Cumbria, we have created a cutting-edge, industry-led commercial photography degree which is designed to build your portfolio and launch your commercial photography career.
**Course Overview**
On this professionally focused course, you will study commercial photography at university level, learning advanced photographic and lighting skills in the studios and on location.
You will understand how to use various camera systems and develop capture techniques, allowing you to become a versatile and original photographer.
Digital post-production and editing skills will make your images have impact and be client ready, preparing you to take your portfolio and professional ambitions to the next level.
**On this course...**
- Be taught by photography tutors who are embedded within the commercial world and have developed excellent commercial connections and professional expertise. Their clients include Nike, Converse, JD Sports, Pfizer and Panda London.
- Benefit from full access to Cumbria’s dedicated, industry-standard facilities. Our four photography studios come complete with lighting rigs and with iMacs set up for tethered shooting in each.
- Be able to use large format and 3D printers, with all the tech overload supported by our dedicated photography technicians on hand for support. Our digital facilities are matched by our analogue facilities, giving you the best of both worlds.
- Have access to a vast selection of camera systems from 35mm analogue, high-end DSLR and medium format digital cameras to help build your skill set.
**What you will learn**
The Commercial Photography programme has been developed in response to the industry's need for more dedicated routes and preparation for employment following graduation. The commercial degree puts emphasis on photographic and editing skills, the knowledge needed to work commercially, working to client briefs and commissions, concept development, and acquiring and applying business skills. All targeted towards preparing a career path via a recognised industry route or a more entrepreneurial approach of a self-employed photographer. By studying this programme, you will become equipped to design and manage a successful career in the commercial photography industry.
**Year One**
- Photographic Image Capture
- Digital Image Production with Lighting Design
- Contemporary Image Theory
- Cultural Contexts
- Collaborative Practice
**Year Two**
- Commercial Practice 1
- Media and Moving Image
- Word and Voice
- Commercial Practice 2
- Negotiated Live Project
- Business Development
**Year Three**
- Blueprint of Practice
- Resolution of Practice
- Independent Research Paper
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Carlisle - Brampton Road
Institute of the Arts
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Cinematics and photography
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Cinematics and photography
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Cinematics and photography
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£13k
£16k
£19k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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