BA(Hons) Photography
This course is open for applications
Accreditations and partnerships:
8th university in the UK for Filmmaking, Film production, Animation, and Photography courses. Guardian University Guide 2026
Develop your visual voice on BA(Hons) Photography, studying in the creative hub of Bristol. Access industry standard studios, get experience through live briefs, build professional connections and create a standout portfolio. Graduate ready for careers across editorial, fashion, fine art and beyond.
About
Why study a degree in photography?
Images are everywhere. Studying photography enables you to understand the language of images and develop your 'visual voice' to communicate effectively and with confidence.
It helps you understand the contexts in which images exist and circulate, and locate opportunities to get your images published, exhibited and commissioned.
Becoming a photography professional opens doors to a wide range of careers within a global landscape of creative industries.
Why UWE Bristol?
Study BA(Hons) Photography in Bristol, a vibrant city with a thriving arts and media scene. Based at Bower Ashton Studios within our City Campus, you'll access industry-standard facilities, digital media studios and specialist workshops that support both traditional and innovative practices.
Our Photography degree encourages you to develop a distinctive visual style while working across editorial, documentary, fashion, advertising and fine art. You'll gain real-world experience through live briefs, professional partnerships, exhibitions and talks from industry experts.
With strong links to innovative regional photography organisations such as Bristol Photography Festival and IC Visual Lab, you'll gain valuable industry connections. You'll also showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Degree Show and graduate with an impressive portfolio of work.
Where can it take me?
Our graduates work in fields from editorial and fashion to movie stills and medical photography. Employers include the BBC, Sunday Times Magazine and the Tate.
Past students have assisted photographers such as Steve McCurry, Zed Nelson and Tim Walker, and have been published and exhibited in FT Weekend, Vogue Italia, Oh Comely, The Photographers Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and the Tate.
Graduates have also established important collectives and exhibiting networks such as The Lost Light Recordings, Loupe Magazine and Splash and Grab.
Some graduates go on to further study at Master's level, including our own postgraduate MA Photography course.
The image above shows the fantastic work from one of our students (Megan Hart, 2023 Photography graduate).
Photography student showreel
A showcase of student work from the BA(Hons) Photography course at UWE Bristol.
Entry
Typical offers
You will need to meet the following Level 2 requirements:
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English, or equivalent.
In addition to the above Level 2 qualifications, you'll need to achieve the published tariff points from your Level 3 studies prior to entry. Below is an indicative list of the main qualification types. However, we will consider any Level 3 qualifications towards meeting our entry requirements.
- Tariff points: 112
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- English Language Requirement:
International and EU applicants must have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0, with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need in our English Language section. Please visit English language requirements.
- A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
- BTEC: No specific subjects required. For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access:
No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB:
No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
Selection process
We're looking for applicants who are curious, creative and eager to develop their practice, explore new ideas and contribute to a vibrant creative community.
- Applicants studying qualifications that we've identified as subject-relevant will be considered on the basis of their predicted or achieved grades, provided they meet our entry requirements.
- Applicants whose qualifications fall outside these subject-relevant areas will be asked to submit a digital portfolio. This helps us consider creative potential alongside academic achievement. For more details, please visit our selection page.
In some cases, we may also invite applicants to a short online discussion about their work and creative interests.
Our admissions approach is designed to be fair, inclusive and supportive. We recognise both academic achievement and creative potential, ensuring you have the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the programme in a way that reflects your individual strengths.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for BA(Hons) Photography (with Foundation Year).
International applicants
If you're applying to UWE Bristol from another country or region, visit the international study pages for tailored application information. If you're an international student and don't meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing one of our Art and Design foundation courses.
If you're applying to study at UWE Bristol and need additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our pre-sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644
Structure
Content
You'll study:
Arts Contexts
This module will introduce key ideas and contexts that shape creative arts practice, helping you begin to position your work and the work of others. Interactive activities will develop foundational critical and contextual thinking, communication, project planning, research and creative experimentation. You'll explore how to work safely, ethically and sustainably, critically examine materials and ideas, and recognise the benefits of working alongside others. Through collaborative and experiential learning in the School of Arts and across Bristol, you'll build confidence as an active member of a creative community.
Exploring Practice in Photography 1
This practice-based module will introduce approaches to photographic image-making through research, experimentation and technical development. You'll explore camera controls, light, composition and visual language while considering how context and intention shape a photograph. Practical projects will encourage you to generate ideas, test methods and make informed selections. You'll document and reflect on your process, engage with relevant practitioners and develop confidence in presenting photographic work. Studio discussion and feedback will support an emerging personal approach and establish foundations for further photographic study.
Exploring Practice in Photography 2
Building on earlier photographic practice, this module will extend your creative, technical and critical understanding of image-making. You'll investigate different photographic contexts and develop work from research through experimentation to more resolved outcomes. Practical activity may include digital and analogue processes, lighting, editing, sequencing and presentation. You'll strengthen your ability to select appropriate methods, analyse images and reflect on feedback, while considering how audience and context affect meaning. The module will support the development of a more purposeful and individual photographic practice.
Creative Collaboration in Photography
This module will explore photography as a collaborative and co-created practice. You'll develop an individual response to a creative brief before working with others to shape a coherent collective outcome. Lectures and technical workshops will introduce relevant contexts, publication formats, digital software and hand-production techniques. You'll develop skills in image editing, sequencing, page layout and digital or print production, while documenting research and practical processes. Teamwork, problem-solving and critical reflection will help you understand how individual creative contributions can support a shared photographic project.
You'll study:
Developing Practice in Photography 1
This module will enable you to consolidate prior learning and establish a self-directed area of photography practice. You'll negotiate a theme or topic that reflects your individual concerns and skills, then develop a series of art, design or media works. Contextual research into historical and contemporary lens-based practice and culture will inform your ideas and methods. By exploring personal methodologies, you'll learn how to sustain independent work, identify productive strategies and begin defining a specialist direction within photography or related forms of practice.
Professional Contexts in Photography
In this module, you'll investigate the professional contexts in which photography is produced, commissioned, distributed and experienced. You'll explore roles, working practices and opportunities relevant to lens-based practice, considering how photographers communicate with audiences, clients and other professionals. Research and reflection will help you identify your strengths, interests and possible career directions. You'll develop a clearer understanding of professional expectations and strengthen your ability to present your practice, make informed choices and connect your developing photographic work with appropriate employment, freelance or broader creative contexts.
Optional modules:
You'll choose from this list (the amount of modules you study will depend on credit requirement):
- International Exchange*
- Arts Futures**
- Developing Practice in Photography 2.**
*Compulsory (and only available to study) if you participate in an International Exchange.
**Not available to study if you participate in an International Exchange.
You'll study:
Arts Research Project
This module will support you in developing an independent research enquiry linked to contemporary Fine Art or Photography. You'll investigate a specialised area of interest, selecting and applying research methods that align with your chosen subject and creative approach. Topics may include critical analysis, contextual investigation, project management, professional ethics and the communication of ideas. Through lectures, tutorials and self-directed study, you'll strengthen your ability to organise and manage research projects while deepening your understanding of the critical, cultural and professional contexts that shape contemporary creative practice.
Independent Practice in Photography
This module provides an opportunity to develop a substantial body of independent photographic work shaped by your personal interests and future ambitions. Through a self-directed programme of study, you'll apply and refine a personal creative methodology while engaging with contemporary critical, cultural and professional contexts. Supporting research, reflective commentary and contextual investigation will inform the development of your work. By managing your own project and evaluating creative outcomes, you'll strengthen your technical expertise, critical awareness and readiness for professional photographic practice.
Career Strategies for Photography
This module will support your progression into employment, freelance practice or further study by helping you develop informed career strategies within photography. You'll explore professional issues including ethics, entrepreneurship, sustainable careers, portfolio working and continuing professional development. Workshops, industry engagement and work-integrated learning will help you refine promotional materials, strengthen interview skills and evaluate career opportunities. Through research, reflection and professional networking, you'll develop a clearer understanding of how your interests and abilities can be translated into a successful and sustainable career path.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
The learning outcomes for our Photography degree are met through a balance of active teaching and learning methods that take place in timetabled sessions as well as tutorial support and independent study.
You'll learn through taking part in activities led or facilitated by members of the academic and technical instruction teams. These include lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations, peer critiques, technical workshops, and practical studio time as well as off-site visits and events. These sessions will be primarily face-to-face and take place using teaching and technical resources on campus, although blended learning methods may be used to enhance your learning experience on the course.
Independent Learning
One difference between school or college and university is your ownership of your independent study time, where you'll be expected to prepare for scheduled sessions through activities such as practical project development, research tasks and the preparation of materials for assessment. Independent study time tends to increase as you progress through your levels of study, to reflect an increased emphasis on self-directed study.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study time
In a typical week in your first year, you could expect to be timetabled with academic and technical staff for an average of 12 hours, with the expectation that you'll also work on practice and assessment tasks through independent self-study for an additional 12-18 hours.
The balance between taught sessions and independent study in your timetables may vary between modules and at points across the academic years, to enable both the development of new skills, concepts, and knowledges and to facilitate the space for the production of assessment tasks.
Assessment
There are no formal exams on BA(Hons) Photography. Instead, we use a variety of assessments that will enable you to show how you are developing as a creative, professional practitioner as well as a reflective and critical thinker. These may include the creative practice work you make, either individually or in groups, as well as presentations, reports, and written or film essays. These assessments take place at key points in the module. In addition, formative assessment is offered throughout the module to enable you to track your progress and help you develop assessment tasks.
Fees
Full time course
Part time course
Supplementary fee information
Please note, the above tuition fees for home students are charged in the first academic year of study but may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students. This increase will track the tuition fee cap which is determined by government and is expected to increase in line with inflation. UWE will likely maintain its fees for new and returning home students at the maximum permitted level for each year of study.
The placement year fee will also increase when the fee cap changes so please use the above placement year fee for indication purposes only.
Additional costs
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Features
Placements
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought-after graduate.
Find work experience assisting photographers, set designers and curators, or helping with picture desk, agency and gallery work.
The thriving city of Bristol offers opportunities for work experience and placements. We have close relationships with the BBC, Spike Island, the Arnolfini, Watershed, Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol Museums and Galleries and the M Shed, the Royal Photographic Society, IC-Visual Lab, Knowle West Media Centre, local schools and community groups.
Our partnership with the Prince's Trust has seen students working with young people and vulnerable adults. This is particularly valuable for students intending to become teachers or art therapists.
Where possible, you could also spend the second semester studying abroad at one of our partner institutions in Rotterdam, Barcelona, Taipei, Hong Kong, Berlin, Bologna, Linz, Ghent and Bergen.
You'll get help to find placements and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
Fieldwork
Where possible, you'll visit photographers' studios, agencies, galleries and publishing houses, throughout your Photography degree.
Photography is an international business and where possible, you'll have the opportunity to visit cities like New York, Paris, Marseilles, Barcelona and Vienna for photography festivals.
Professional practice is incorporated into these trips wherever possible. Our recent trip to Paris Photo included talks from photographers Carmen Winant and Sophie Ristelhuber, meetings with artists Erik Kessels and Pia Guilmoth and exhibitions at le Bal, Henri Cartier Bresson Foundation and Jeu de Paume.
Study facilities
The facilities at Bower Ashton Studios offers the latest photography technology.
Our equipment includes:
- a fleet of full-frame DSLR cameras
- 10x8, 5x4 and medium format analogue cameras
- medium format digital equipment
- lighting kits
- fully equipped analogue and digital darkrooms
- seven separate studio spaces.
Get support from our excellent team of technical staff through regular workshop sessions.
Bower Ashton houses the main creative and cultural industries library as well as student support services.
Studying at Bower Ashton offers an excellent base for you within the exciting City Campus, which connects teaching and learning with some of the best creative and cultural organisations in Bristol. You'll attend lectures, seminars and symposia at the Arnolfini and Watershed in Bristol city centre.
A mix of traditional and hands-on learning environments helps you quickly take on essential knowledge and skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Filmmaking, Animation and Photography facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Personalised virtual tour
There's no need to visit us in person to explore our facilities and campuses. Take a personalised virtual tour and discover it all for yourself from wherever you are.
Take a virtual tourCareers
Careers / Further study
Photography is largely a freelance practice. Students with a degree in photography and experience of live briefs are best placed to make a smooth transition to industry. Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape your Photography degree towards your chosen career path. On graduation, you'll have a unique and compelling body of work for the marketplace.
BA(Hons) Photography graduates work in fields including editorial, fashion, fine art, advertising, movie stills and medical photography for employers such as the BBC, Sunday Times Magazine, FT Weekend, the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery, French Connection, Prix de la Photographie Paris, We Folk, British Journal of Photography, the Department for Education and Aardman Animations.
Careers include:
- Freelance photography (editorial, fashion, advertising, portraiture)
- Photographer's assistant
- Picture research
- Photographer's agent
- Studio work
- Publishing
- Teaching and art therapy
- Arts and gallery administration
- Further postgraduate study/academic research
Award-winning careers service
Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.
Creating employable students
UWE Bristol places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and initiatives nurturing talent and innovation, you'll have opportunities to gain valuable real world experience, allowing you to graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
Be inspired
Hear from Photography graduate, Africa Barrero-Alexander, about their final year degree show project.
Take a look at our students' work:
- Lewis Khan's website
- Cian Oba-Smith's website
- Leia Morrison's website
- Dannii Jo's website
- UWE Photography Instagram.
Visit our Employability pages to find out about careers, employers, real world experience and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Useful links
Watch: Welcome to the School of Arts at UWE Bristol
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.