picking a uni

Original post by stxrm27

i'm looking to choose to study photography in uni but have no idea where. so far I've looked at UAL, Birmingham City Uni and Uni of West London.

Do you have any thoughts about the type of photography that you’re interested in?

Of the 3 you’ve looked at what are your thoughts/preferences? Knowing more about what you’re looking for will help people make suggestions.

Reply 5

Scotney

20

Original post by stxrm27

i'm looking to choose to study photography in uni but have no idea where. so far I've looked at UAL, Birmingham City Uni and Uni of West London.

Bristol,Edinburgh Napier,in fact look at this link as it lists the courses available at each uni.https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2020/sep/05/best-uk-universities-for-film-production-photography-league-table

Reply 6

totallyfine

9

Here's a list of places offering photography in 2024 so far.
https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/search/course?c%5Bacademic_years%5D=2024&c%5Bq%5D=Photography

Rankings are a little trcky for arts subjects (as they are for all degrees to be fair, a bit superficial) because of their more specialist degrees but the the student feedback here can be really insightful. I have attached the student voice on Arts University Bournemouth's photography course:

https://discoveruni.gov.uk/course-details/10000385/BAPHO/Full-time/

From this, the best thing you can do is look what the course offers and go on open days to see if the vibe of the place suits you

Reply 7

Original post by totallyfine

Here's a list of places offering photography in 2024 so far.
https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/search/course?c%5Bacademic_years%5D=2024&c%5Bq%5D=Photography

Rankings are a little trcky for arts subjects (as they are for all degrees to be fair, a bit superficial) because of their more specialist degrees but the the student feedback here can be really insightful. I have attached the student voice on Arts University Bournemouth's photography course:

https://discoveruni.gov.uk/course-details/10000385/BAPHO/Full-time/

From this, the best thing you can do is look what the course offers and go on open days to see if the vibe of the place suits you

AUB has 2 photography courses. The Commercial photography stats are quite different: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/course-details/10000385/BACPH/Full-time/ that’s why it’s important for the OP to explain more about the sorts of photography they’re interested in. For example there’s some universities that are top of the pile if you’re interested in wildlife photography but not so great for fashion/commercial/press/fine art photography.

Looking at online graduate shows from universities that you’re interested in is a good way to get a feel for the types and styles of photography that are well supported at various universities. Some universities all the work will be along a certain “house style” - which is fine if that’s your preferred style but can be an issue if you want to work in a different way or medium.

Also check out dark room facilities. Some universities (eg Rave last time I checked) are 100% digital. Again that’s fine if it’s what you want from your degree and portfolio but if you want to try out and build film photographers skills as well as digital then you’re locking yourself into a narrower path if you opt for a course without those facilities.

Reply 8

totallyfine

9

Original post by PQ

AUB has 2 photography courses. The Commercial photography stats are quite different: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/course-details/10000385/BACPH/Full-time/ that’s why it’s important for the OP to explain more about the sorts of photography they’re interested in. For example there’s some universities that are top of the pile if you’re interested in wildlife photography but not so great for fashion/commercial/press/fine art photography.

Looking at online graduate shows from universities that you’re interested in is a good way to get a feel for the types and styles of photography that are well supported at various universities. Some universities all the work will be along a certain “house style” - which is fine if that’s your preferred style but can be an issue if you want to work in a different way or medium.

Also check out dark room facilities. Some universities (eg Rave last time I checked) are 100% digital. Again that’s fine if it’s what you want from your degree and portfolio but if you want to try out and build film photographers skills as well as digital then you’re locking yourself into a narrower path if you opt for a course without those facilities.

I was really just giving it as an example of how the feedback works, but yes it does!

Reply 9

McGinger

18

Art Schools / Colleges - or Unis that used to be Art Colleges - are usually better for these subjects rather than established Universities. Suggestions
Falmouth - https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/photography-courses
UAL (London) - https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/photography/undergraduate
Bournemouth - https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-hons-photography-foundation-year-option
Arts Plymouth - https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-commercial-photography-1

Just be aware that a 'career' in photography is rare, and that you don't need a degree to do freelance photography work.
If you are spending £50,000 on a degree then make sure it has as many other strands as possible - business skills, digital media, building websites etc - that you can also utilise to get paid work.

You may find that a Foundation in Art & Design (sometimes called a FAD) is very worthwhile pre-degree as it gives you exposure to as much 'other' art practices as possible which gives depth to any subsequent study. Info : https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/what-to-study/art-and-design-foundation-diplomas

Reply 10

McGinger

18

Please see the advice I've given you on your other thread - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7396891
And please don't multi-post with the same question.

Reply 11

Original post by McGinger

Art Schools / Colleges - or Unis that used to be Art Colleges - are usually better for these subjects rather than established Universities. Suggestions
Falmouth - https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/photography-courses
UAL (London) - https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/photography/undergraduate
Bournemouth - https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-hons-photography-foundation-year-option
Arts Plymouth - https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-commercial-photography-1

Just be aware that a 'career' in photography is rare, and that you don't need a degree to do freelance photography work.
If you are spending £50,000 on a degree then make sure it has as many other strands as possible - business skills, digital media, building websites etc - that you can also utilise to get paid work.

You may find that a Foundation in Art & Design (sometimes called a FAD) is very worthwhile pre-degree as it gives you exposure to as much 'other' art practices as possible which gives depth to any subsequent study. Info : https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/what-to-study/art-and-design-foundation-diplomas

Bournemouth University was never an art school. Arts University Bournemouth is a completely different university. The course you’ve linked to used to be only available at Wiltshire College in Salisbury until a couple of years ago.

other former art schools that are now universities (or part of larger universities) include Leeds Arts University, Norwich University of Art, University of Creative Arts (based in surrey and kent), Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art (now Edinburgh University), Winchester School of Art (part of Southampton University but their range of courses has been reduced to almost nothing since the takeover), Birmingham School of Art (part of BCU), Liverpool School of Art (part of John Moores), Manchester School of Art (part of MMU), Ravensbourne, Kingston, Northern School of Art, Hereford College of Art, Cardiff School of Art (part of South Wales).

I also wouldn’t say that a career in photography is rare. The stats don’t reflect that although like many creative careers work is more likely to be freelance or self employment

(edited 7 months ago)

Original post by username6177923

i'm pretty sure i want to study photography in Uni but have no idea where or even what to look for to make sure i'm picking a good uni and course. my grades are making this more difficult for me because i dont know my chances of meeting the entry requirements for some i've already looked at that dont have a foundation year.
I have an a-level already at grade E so will need A and B at minimum from most i've seen. I guess i'm just wondering if anyone is in a similar position with picking uni options.

Hello, I am Ridhika and I am an official BU representative. At BU you are able to apply through clearing with the grades, where is based off only UCAS points. Our degrees are accredited by International Photographer Society. :smile:

this is more info on the course that we offer at BU

https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-hons-photography-2

Original post by username6177923

i'm pretty sure i want to study photography in Uni but have no idea where or even what to look for to make sure i'm picking a good uni and course. my grades are making this more difficult for me because i dont know my chances of meeting the entry requirements for some i've already looked at that dont have a foundation year.
I have an a-level already at grade E so will need A and B at minimum from most i've seen. I guess i'm just wondering if anyone is in a similar position with picking uni options.

Hi @username6177923

There is a great photography course here at Kingston, I have a few friends here on the course that enjoy it. Also currently on the course I am studying here, Fashion Communication (1st year), we are collaborating with the photography students working on a campaign for a fashion brand. This has been a great opportunity for both students to build their portfolio and try a range of types of photography. I would agree with the other comments on this post that a foundation course is a great idea, especially to boost your UCAS points, build a portfolio and gives you time to decide what type of photography you are interested in and what uni would be best suited to you. If you don't want to do a foundation course, your portfolio would probably be considered by most uni's alongside your grades so this may help. You could always apply for a foundation course and uni and see where you get offers.

Finally I would advise to start visiting open days, this really helped me understand what it was I wanted out of a university and decide which was the right fit for me. Our next open day is Saturday 27th April.

Hope this helps :smile:

-Grace (Kingston Rep)

Reply 14