Photography - Level 3 (UAL)
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 2026
|
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 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 CommunicationFees and funding
Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers.
If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.
What will I learn?
Essential skills: English and Maths
All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study 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 tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.
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).