Photography student

Course details

UCAS Code

W600

Year of entry

2024

Duration

4 YRS (FT)

UCAS Tariff

48-72

Institution Code

G53

Location

Wrexham

*Subject to re-validation

Course Highlights

Strong industry links

including professional guest speakers

 

Opportunities

to study abroad or take part in projects with an international dimension

Exhibit your work

in an end-of-year degree show

Why choose? this course?

Developed for students with a passion for independent photography, film and cinema, this innovative multi-genre programme combines practice, theory and professionalism. Whether you prefer to work with the still or moving image, you can creatively and conceptually explore film and photography on our inspiring, challenging and rewarding degree.

Students will:

  • Discover a range of skills, including how the lens can be used creatively as a tool for storytelling, specialist and experimental camera techniques, lighting for studio and location work, editing and post-production.
  • Be encouraged to acquire unique approaches to the photography and film disciplines.
  • Develop and research their own ideas in relation to project briefs, learning transferable skills needed to work as an imaginative professional.
  • Generate and produce ideas through location and studio work.
  • Be guided in making submissions for international galleries, expositions, festivals, drama, documentary, advertising, music media and other forms of digital imagery and visual effects.
  • *Study a course that has been ranked 5th in Wales as part of the Art & Design subject league table for Teaching Quality in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
Art student painting

Art and Designat Wrexham University

Key course features

  • Includes a foundation year to help prepare you for further years of study.
  • Students have access to an on-site cutting-edge high definition TV studio with green screen, photographic studio as well as analogue facilities with a dedicated dark room. Small group sizes allow for individual support and experimentation with ideas in a creative environment.
  • Post-production, 3D workshops, media training and computer editing facilities utilising the latest in HD technology and non-linear editing.
  • Well-equipped computer labs with PC based systems loaded with a wide selection of industry-related software.
  • Teaching team are research-active practitioners enthusiastic about their subject areas. They exhibit their own work both nationally and internationally as well as writing about art and design practice in books and journals.
  • Opportunities to study abroad or take part in projects with an international dimension.
  • Be part of our vibrant community of artists and designers where students are encouraged to exhibit their work and to gain knowledge from high profile visiting artists and designers. 
  • Be part of an end of year degree show exhibition - view the 2022 Degree Show e-magazine, Unjammed.

What you will study

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)

The foundation year will introduce you to the key elements of art and design, including graphic design, animation, illustration, photography, and film, applied and fine art.  You will explore the creative thought process relating to various art and design disciplines, developing your ability to put ideas down on paper quickly.  There will be a range of practice assignments that will increase your recognition of strong ideas and original concepts.

MODULES

  • Visual Investigation
  • Materials and Methods
  • Creative Processes
  • Progression Project
  • The Skills You Need
  • Contextual Studies

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)

The second-year experience of the programme initially provides the opportunity to explore the broad base of both photography and film. You will examine how artists process ideas through a combination of making and critical evaluation while learning to relate your experiences to those of other photographers and filmmakers. 

MODULES

  • History and Context
  • Creative Futures 1
  • Visual Communication
  • Creative Lens-Based Media
  • Contemporary Themes
  • Time and Language

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)

Entering your third year, the modules enable students to consolidate and extend their learning experience. Through more advanced techniques and processes, students are challenged to experiment with a variety of media and methods of communication. You have the opportunity to explore the areas of photography and film practice you are most interested in within lectures, seminars and workshops led by skilled practitioners working within the field. Building upon an awareness of the possibilities within these contemporary disciplines, you may then choose to specialise in one of the established areas of practice or adopt an interdisciplinary approach.

MODULES

  • Critical Thinking
  • Creative Futures 2
  • Post Production Techniques
  • Visual Communications Across Cultures
  • Specialist Study (Photography & Film)

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)

The final year modules require more critical, analytical and lengthier negotiated studies, where students can determine their own career path and have the opportunity to negotiate a year plan which places them with more responsibility over what projects they undertake. This is closely monitored through regular critiques, seminars and tutorials.

MODULES

  • Dissertation
  • Creative Futures 3
  • Negotiated Practice
  • Photography and Film Degree Project

 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change. 

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the course are 48-72 72 UCAS tariff points but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications, as well as motivation and potential to succeed.

The Photography & Film programme team welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

An admissions tutor considers each application individually. All candidates will be interviewed and asked to display a portfolio of their work.

Experience may also be taken into consideration, particularly for those applicants who do not meet the academic requirements above, depending on the extent and depth of subject knowledge.

Teaching & Assessment

To enable students to develop creatively, formative and summative feedbacks are given.

Formative assessment offering advice on how to improve your work occurs at key points before Christmas and before Easter. This provides time for students to reflect on their progress prior to a final or summative assessment.

Assessment is designed to enable students to participate in the measurement of their own progress. Students will submit a range of coursework including an on-line reflective journal/blog, sketchbooks, design sheets, finished artworks, screen-based work, installations, technical/ production files, essays and audio-visual presentations.

Teaching and Learning

The majority of the active teaching and learning is studio/workshop based and practical in nature supported with lectures, demonstrations, tutorials, seminars and critiques and talks by specialist guest speakers.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our Careers and Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Your degree will prepare you for work in art and design, film and photographic industries and in education.

Photography & Film, like all of our Art and Design undergraduate programmes, has a strong vocational and academic ethos that aims to ensure graduates acquire a range of vocationally relevant skills. Integral to this ethos is the responsibility to ensure that our graduates have a portfolio of abilities and attributes which will allow them to thrive in the 21st Century workplace. It takes into account the fact that the future needs of the creative industries are likely to be very different. It therefore aims to prepare ‘independent learners’ who on completion of their studies are able to flourish within increasingly diverse professional contexts.

You will gain a high level of realistic and practical experience of working in the professional creative environment whilst you are on the programme. Students are encouraged to initiate, organise and participate in off-site projects and engage in professional opportunities, including commercial activities that have the potential to launch their career in photography or film and the boundaries that straddles these two disciplines.

Many Photography and Film graduates go on pursue careers as:

  • Independent film-makers, directors, photographers in large or small companies
  • Freelancing or setting up in business
  • Independent art practice
  • Teaching in further or higher education or in primary and secondary schools
  • Gallery or other forms of exhibition work, or as education officers
  • Researchers
  • Technicians

Further study opportunities are also available at MA or PGCE level.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

You can see the full programme specification here.

 

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our Accommodation to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.

Subject to re-validation

As part of its continuous quality assurance and enhancement, the University reviews its courses on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect the needs of students and employers. Periodic review of the existing programmes is required every five years and major changes may be made to the programmes during the re-validation process. As soon as the programmes are re-validated the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of courses that are still ‘subject to re-validation’ are approved by the validation process; however, this is not guaranteed and should the course not go ahead as planned, or be significantly amended, you will be informed by the university and assistance will be provided to those who have been offered a place to find a suitable alternative course either at Wrexham University or at another provider.