Photography and Digital Design, Foundation Degree - Level 5 (Lancaster University)

UCAS Code(s):

WW62

Qualification Obtained:

Foundation Degree in Photography and Digital Design

About this Course:

The programme is aimed at those students and work-placed candidates who wish to pursue a career in photography and digital design or who wish to retrain and gain a qualification in this field or who wish to develop new skills and knowledge in emerging technologies.

The programme has been designed in conjunction with employers - in response to current industry trends, and therefore covers a range of technical competencies, business understanding and skills that are highly appropriate to practitioners operating in the field of digital photography and design.

The programme is led by visual rather than technological imperatives, with photography and design providing the vehicles by which design and communication problems are resolved. One of the determining features of the programme is informed professional practice. The synthesis of studio-based professional activity with context is fundamental and students will develop a range of critical abilities and knowledge integrated with the subject specialist skills associated with photography and digital design.

Entry Requirements:

What are we Looking for?

Is this the right course for me?

This is one of the best courses in the country if you want a career in photography and/or digital design or its allied fields but it's not easy, and neither is earning a living in photography and digital design, so don't apply unless you are truly committed.

What Skills, Qualities and Experience do I need?

In addition to a review of formal qualifications it is School policy to interview all suitably qualified applicants and request a portfolio of visual work.

Applicants will be considered individually and should be 18 years of age by the date of entry to the programme. Entrance criteria would normally be based on one of the following:

2 'A' level passes or equivalent. Combinations of 'A' or 'A/S' level awards with evidence of competence in English. (UCAS tariff - 120 minimum)
Edexcel National Diploma or Certificate in an appropriate vocational area.
AVCE
Foundation Art and Design plus 1 'A' level or equivalent.

In line with QAA FD benchmark statements, students with sufficient relevant industrial experience may be admitted to the programme (with advanced standing if appropriate) through a process of Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning.

Students with other non standard qualifications may be admitted to the programme (with advanced standing if appropriate) through a process of Accreditation of Prior Learning.

Students who do not meet these criteria are not automatically excluded, each applicant is judged individually on their merits and relevant experience in the industry or an associated field, commitment to the subject, enthusiasm, visual and critical awareness and creative ability. Applicants from industry, people wishing to re-train in a different area and mature students are encouraged to apply.

Assessment Methods:

All studio modules are assessed by the practical work that is undertaken; Critical Studies modules are assessed by a mixture of essays, presentations and learning journals.

Progression:

The School of Art and Design at Blackpool has long-standing and established tradition of working with, and for, the design industry in work placement, live projects and employment. This experience and the continuing placement of graduates into photographic, graphic design and illustration work in the design profession has informed the development of the Foundation Degree. The breadth and depth of the provision's industrial contacts regionally, nationally and internationally are reinforced by the number of industry contacts presently on the schools 'industry contacts database'. This indicates the range of employment taken up by completing graduates. The list is also indicative of the background profile of possible part-time and work place applicants for the programme.

In addition there is a bespoke progression route to BA(Hons) for Foundation Degree graduates that will take into account the FD learning experiences (which will be different from the first two years of an honours degree) and will incorporate a period of bridging studies to better prepare FD graduates for the rigours of level 3 studies.

Special Features:

In order to reflect the underpinning philosophy of Foundation Degrees the programme is offered in full time and part time modes. The full time mode is delivered over two years and the part time over four years.

The full time mode offers a traditional approach to Higher Education for students who are able to study in this manner.

The part-time mode enables those in work who may wish to retrain or build on existing expertise to gain a qualification. The programme provides flexible entry and study pathways which makes it readily approachable by applicants with differing work and educational experiences. For more information and to discuss individual cases please contact the School.

In addition a bespoke Level Three top-up is offered for students wishing to progress to a BA Honours qualification.

Course Options:

Teaching and learning is centred around project learning, which is the most effective vehicle to mirror professional practice. This is the vehicle by which students can demonstrate their aptitude and show their ability to put creative thinking and skills into practice. Most of the programme is made up of a series of assignments and projects. Projects are designed to ensure that all relevant stages, disciplines and contexts of the process are addressed, bringing together, around a theme or specific issue, elements of study relevant to the course stage, or level, enhancing a student centred learning approach and promoting a continuous learning process.

This approach allows students the opportunity to apply their learning in a holistic fashion, and encourages independent learning, problem solving and good time management.

A minimum of one period of work-based learning is central to the programme. Through the WBL element students will be able to both apply learning acquired on the programme to a professional environment, whilst acquiring further knowledge and understanding. The minimum period of WBL will constitute 200 hours of level 2, and will have set learning outcomes and deliverables based on the notion of professional practice. Students may undertake further periods of WBL at appropriate times within the programme by negotiation. The College Virtual Learning Environment will be utilised in the delivery of the 'long thin' supporting modules in order to accommodate longer periods of WBL. Personal Development Planning (PDP) will be an integral part of the programme, and closely linked to WBL opportunities.

A progressive learning structure is provided, with students encouraged to take increasing responsibility for the content and direction of their work as they progress through the programme. Level 1 is based upon skills acquisition and developing an understanding of the professional contexts of Photography and Digital Design. Level 2 moves on to provide students with the opportunities to demonstrate synthesis and application of skills, knowledge and understanding. The culmination of this is the production of a major self-directed project at the end of level 2.

The course is modular which allows a breakdown of teaching and learning across the two levels of the programme, enabling part time students to effectively manage their own learning. Practical elements of the course are in the form of short industry based briefs, backed up by separate technical and critical modules. All modules are compulsory, but students will be able to approach much of the creative work from a variety of professional directions. The integrated project in Level 1 is self-directed, as is the final major project in Level 2. The work placement in Level 2 is organised and managed by the student. Guidance and counselling of specialist interests is implemented through tutorials, especially PDP tutorials, to ensure a holistic approach to the programme but at the same time attending to individual student learning needs.

Year 1 Units Credits

An Introduction to Personal Development Planning 15
An Introduction to Professional Photographic Practice 10
Design for Print 10
Photographic Practice and Communication 10
Computing for Photography 15
Communication & Representation 10
Design for Screen 10
Risk & Innovation in Photography 10
Computing for Design & Photography 10
Integrated Project 20

Year 2 Units Ceredits

Business Practice for Design 10
Advanced Photographic Practice 15
Interactive Design 15
Work Based Learning 20
Project Planning 15
Final Project 30
Negotiated Theory 15

Teaching Methods:

An appropriate mix of the following teaching and learning methodologies will be utilised within individual modules in order to allow opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes:

Project learning and assessment - which provides opportunities for students to take control and manage their own learning and to demonstrate skills and competencies in areas such as problem-solving and primary research.
Group critiques involving peers and tutors which provide opportunities for the development of intellectual skills in constructing and supporting arguments, as well as practical communication skills
Live briefs and WBL which can be seen to offer opportunities for students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of, and practical skills in, professional working practices and methodologies
Formal presentations which reflect professional practice and provide opportunities for the development of transferable communication skills together with intellectual skills, such as critical analysis and evaluation
Written Assignments which provide opportunities for students to demonstrate competencies in research techniques, critical evaluation and transferable skills
Extended projects which provide excellent opportunities for students to demonstrate effective self managed learning whilst demonstrating a full broad range of competencies from technical skills and research/enquiry through to independence of thought and critical analysis
Practical Workshops which provide opportunities for skills acquisition
Individual and group tutorials which provide opportunities to confirm and consolidate learning
Learning Journal which provides opportunities for critical reflection and personal development planning

Hours for the course change during the year, depending upon which modules are being delivered, as a general guideline full time study involves a total of 40 hours learning per week of which an average of 13 hours are delivered. Teaching and learning within the programme is very flexible and hours can be tailored to suit individual needs, please contact the School to discuss requirements

Skills Developed:

The overall aim of the programme is to produce graduates who possess the technical competencies, commercial understanding and transferable skills necessary to take up entry-level positions in the professional fields of Photography and Digital Design.

Specifically the aims of the programme are:

To prepare graduates for a range of career opportunities in photography and digital design
To develop professional level technical skills in photography and digital design
To develop analytical thinking and critical judgment, which can be used to inform judgments and produce appropriate solutions to problems in professional contexts
To develop knowledge and understanding of the professional practice of photography and design through work based learning
To provide an academic framework that supports students in understanding the relationship between theory and practice
To develop knowledge and understanding of the business environments in which professional photography and design operate
To encourage the development of interpersonal and transferable skills throughout all levels of the course.

Funding Information

Repayable and non-repayable grants and loans may be available for higher education students. Our welfare advisors are always on hand to offer impartial advice and support via email or phone 01253 504 298, more information is available on our funding and welfare pages

Where courses are run over more than one year, the tuition fee shown is for one year only. Fees for subsequent years are subject to review.

How to Apply

Once you’ve decided to apply for a course, you’ll need to work out whether you satisfy our entry requirements (or will have done by the time your course starts). Providing you meet the criteria, you can then apply for your course. Full-time applications go through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), although foundation degree graduates progressing to a relevant top-up programme can (subject to certain criteria) apply to the College direct.

More information about entry requirements and the application process is available within our Higher Education section

Course Instances:

Course Code	Start Date**	Duration	Tuition Fees	Location	Attendance
DP1HE03 09/11	14th Sep	2 Years	£1285	University Centre	Full Time
DP1HE05 09/13	14th Sep	4 Years	£643	University Centre	Part Time

** For some courses offered by the college it is be possible to enrol after the start date has passed, while courses with open enrolment can be started at any point during the year, for more information please contact Course Enquiries on the number above.

Disclaimer

Blackpool and The Fylde College makes every possible effort to ensure that the information published on this web site is accurate and up-to-date, but we accept no legal liability for errors or omissions, and reserve the right to make changes without notice. Read our full disclaimer here