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Photography - Level 3 Triple Diploma

Summary

This is a two-year creative and technical course, which is designed to help you gain an understanding of the fundamental elements of photography and photographic practice. The course is designed to help you progress and further your studies at higher levels. The aim of this course is to provide a fundamental understanding of the materials, techniques and processes used in the art and design process.

Our purpose is to guide your learning supplying you with essential knowledge of how to use the creative process, research methods, idea and concept development, the use of appropriate materials and methods, evaluation and reflection of creative practice. You will receive dedicated support from our experienced tutors who each have experience in the industry and their own specialisms within the subject.

During the course you will cover a wide range of photographic topics such as fashion, wildlife, portraiture, landscape, documentary and experimental processes. The course offers students access to both traditional and modern resources, including a fully functioning darkroom and processing lab. The course also has its own studio spaces, which are fitted with modern, industry-standard equipment. All students also have access to our stores facility, which is fully-stocked with a wide range of both traditional film and modern digital cameras.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
02 Sep 2024
University Centre
2 Years
01 Sep 2025
University Centre
2 Years

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The majority of our Level 3 students progress onto the BA (Hons) Photography course or BA (Hons) Filmmaking at Blackpool School of Arts or relevant Creative Arts degrees across the UK.

You may alternatively apply for a higher or degree apprenticeship to gain further qualifications in the workplace.

Whatever you decide, the qualification, skills and portfolio you gain through this course will help you achieve your goals.

Key information

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs grade 4 or above including a creative subject, English and Maths, along with the following:

  • A successful interview with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • A genuine interest in the subject
  • Good communication skills
  • Hardworking approach towards the industry

Qualification obtained

Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication

What will I learn?

Essential skills: English and Maths

If you achieve a grade 3 in GCSE Maths or English you will have to work towards re-sitting these subjects as part of your main study programme.

At B&FC, this won't delay your career journey because you're working towards these subjects at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

All students will complete 30 hours of compulsory work experience as part of the course.

Throughout the year we also run many trips, both locally and nationally, relevant to the various topics covered during assignments.

How will I learn?

As part of the course you will be taking part in a number of different live briefs relating to commercial photography and photographic practice.

These briefs will be set by external agencies and will give you a greater understanding of working for a client and meeting the requirements of their brief.

There are 12 hours of main programme classes at Level 3.

There are additional teaching hours allocated for those students who are working on the Maths and English.

We expect students to be using any free time on their timetable to continue their studies independently, and assignment photoshoots are to be completed outside of timetabled classes.

Each student will also complete 30 hours of work experience during the course.

Our classes use a mixture of teaching and learning methods, including researching and discussing the work of others to help influence and inspire our ideas.

We use demonstrations and active participation to help develop technical skills and creative processes. Your developmental work, research and photographs will be collated and submitted in sketchbooks for assessment at the end of each assignment.

Expert tutors

All of the tutors on the course are working or have worked in the industry and had images published and shown work at numerous exhibitions.

All of our tutors have higher levels of education in photographic subject specific areas and years of experience to support and encourage your development, no matter what style of photography you are interested in.

Current tutors are regularly published in magazines and also write feature articles, with additional specialist knowledge in digital imaging, VR, graphic design, personal branding and social media marketing. Many of our tutors are regularly published in magazines and also write feature articles, with additional support for students who are looking to earn and gain real-world experience whilst studying or for those thinking of setting up a business when progressing from our course.

You'll work with experts to produce imagery for a range of external clients during our live briefs thus giving you a greater understanding of the photographic industries.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is based purely on coursework.

The course consists of one subject unit in first year and one in the second year of the course, which is completed across four assignments throughout each year.

Each unit set has a broad and open theme which is open to interpretation and allows you to tailor the course to your photographic interests.

You will receive verbal and written feedback for each completed unit alongside more informal discussion of your progress during tutorials.

The final assignment in both first and second year is externally set by the awarding body and is an external assessment and marked by the UAL Awarding Body.

The unit is worked into assignments, so you will be assessed against the unit criteria. Your developmental work, research and photographs will be collated and submitted in sketchbooks for assessment at the end of each assignment and you will receive written and verbal feedback on your assessment after marking.

  • Diagnostic Investigation in Art and Design
  • Specialist Practice in Art and Design

You will leave the course with a Level 3 Applied General Extended Diploma in Art and Design (Photography) awarded by UAL (University of Arts London).