Photography (Commercial)
University of Derby
UCAS Code: W640 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
UCAS Tariff
About this course
Study Photography (Commercial) at the University of Derby and become one of the 'most employable' graduates in the UK. On this degree, you will develop skills such as critical thinking and research, to equip you well for diverse roles across the photo-imaging sector and beyond.
**KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE**
- Graduate from this degree being one of the very few specifically commercial photography programmes in Britain that offers the opportunity to work professionally from the outset
- Innovate beyond existing, conventional commercial practices to set new standards of visual language that advocates for contemporary and future-visioning clients
- Hone your skills in an excellent learning environment featuring extensive photographic studies, black and white and colour darkroom, film processing facilities, dedicated digital suites, and Mac suites offering industry-standard software.
- Take a hands-on approach and to apply to exhibit your work for Format International Photography Festival, the UK's leading international contemporary festival of photography and related media.
- Benefit from our partnerships such as FORMAT, Association of Photographers, GRAIN Photography Hub, Derby Museum and Art Galleries, Magnum Photos, MAC Birmingham, ESMAD Porto, the Art Institute of Las Vegas and more.
**HOW YOU’LL LEARN:**
The programme is delivered through a combination of practice-led workshops alongside lectures, seminars, tutorial support, national and international study visits. Whilst progressing through their studies, students work with the support of both actively working and researching photographic lecturers and industry professionals. Through engaging in exciting and intensive periods of risk-taking and creative explorations, students grow as autonomous practitioners and independent professionals with highly distinctive approaches that separate them from typical industry expectations.
**YOUR CAREER:**
The course places an emphasis on critical thinking, research, writing and oral communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. As such, you will be well equipped for diverse roles across the photo-imaging sector and beyond, making excellent use of transferable skills.
Our graduates have gone on to become artists, academics, teachers, curators, critics, professional photographers, editorial photographers, picture editors. Here are what some of our graduates are doing now:
- Idris Kahn OBE, leading UK artist
- Jenny Anderson, Director, Argentea Gallery
- Nicola Shipley, director GRAIN Photography Hub
- Michael Sargeant, On-line Education Manager, MAGNUM Photos
- John McLean, leading photographic artist and architectural photographer
- Steve Edwards, leading editorial photographer for UK and US publications
- Bethany Kane, Programming Officer FORMAT Photography Festival
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Derby
Department of Media and Performing Arts
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Cinematics and photography
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After graduation
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Cinematics and photography
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Top job areas of graduates
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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.
£15k
£19k
£20k
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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