Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following: 

• A Levels 
• T Levels 
• BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma 
• Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4) 
• Or equivalent EU/International qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma 
• Plus English GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C) 

This list is not exhaustive other qualifications may be considered. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application looking primarily at your portfolio/showreel of work, personal statement and reference. 

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence.

Course Structure

Year One units (Level 4) 

• Analogue Processes
• Theory as Practice 1
• Location
• Studio
• Moving Image

Year Two units (Level 5)

• Materials and Methods
• Student-Led Project
• Professional Development and Placement
• Live Brief
• Theory as Practice 2

Year Three units (Level 6)

• Theory as Practice 3
• Refinement of Photographic Intentions
• Subject Realisation
• Professional Development and Portfolio

Teaching & Learning

Contact hours: 13 hours per week. Plus Independent Study (suggested 30 hours per week)

You will use industry-standard equipment including darkrooms and photographic studios with professional software and be introduced to a wide range of camera and lighting equipment.

Assessment & Feedback

All assessment on the BA (Hons) Photography is via coursework; there are no exams. 

Coursework is assessed in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes. 

You will receive on-going feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers. You will also receive summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader. Feedback can be given in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback. 

Course Cost

Adult, full_time: £9,535 per year
Adult, part_time_day: £4,767 per year

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

• Guest speakers, visiting lecturers and industry focussed workshops will be included in your course over the three years.
• Third Year students will have the opportunity to showcase their final year work at the end of their studies. This may be a local, national or online platform. Event/exhibition costs will be covered by the Faculty of HE. In the past this has included Free Range. Students will be responsible for any additional costs associated with the production of their personal project (ie: printing, materials).
• Annual £20 of printing credit per year.

Additional course costs can be found here

What Next...

Many of our graduates find employment as freelance or employed photographers, whilst some choose to continue their studies at post-graduate (Masters) level.

Placements and live briefs. Students have engaged with many opportunities including:

West Ham United, Volvo GB, Vintage and Classic Car Hire, Daisy Whittaker Designs and The Back Stage Centre.

Recent Graduate destinations include:

Equestrian Photography at the Badminton Horse Trials, Wedding Photography, Main Media Video and Bad Wolf for BBC with Doctor Who.

Other Graduate destinations could include:

• Photographic assistant
• Commercial photographer
• Videographer
• Image editor 
• Photographic printer
• Curation
• Contemporary film maker
• Photographic stylist
• Writer

Success Stories...

Student Success Story: Jay Hayden

Course studied

Photography BA (Hons)

The course has prepared me for the workplace in many ways, not only by developing my technical skills but also by helping me build confidence.

View full story

 

My name is Jay Hayden, and I studied BA (Hons) Photography at the University Centre South Essex (UCSE) and I am currently working as a freelance photographer. 

I chose to study at UCSE because of how accessible it was and how welcoming the environment felt. Compared to other colleges and universities I visited, the staff made the campus feel homely and supportive, which really stood out to me. 

I studied at the Luker Road Campus in Southend-on-Sea, where I completed my BA (Hons) Photography. Although photography had been a passion of mine for a few years, I hadn’t had access to professional facilities such as a studio, darkroom, or print space. I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to fully commit and push myself to improve. 

During my time on the course, I gained access to industry-standard equipment and facilities, which made a huge difference to my development. Working in a studio environment was completely new to me at first, but over time I built confidence and now feel very comfortable in that setting. This experience has also helped me secure work outside of university in studio-based roles. 

Since studying, I’ve had many exciting opportunities. My work has been displayed in exhibitions, galleries, and art shops, and I’ve successfully sold prints through my Etsy shop. I’ve also photographed a wide range of events, including dance shows, pet photography sessions, weddings, parties, and hen dos. One of my proudest achievements has been being awarded ‘Photographer of the Year’. 

The course has prepared me for the workplace in many ways, not only by developing my technical skills but also by helping me build confidence. I’ve learned how to communicate effectively with clients and how to promote myself and my work professionally, skills that are essential when working freelance. 

One of my favourite memories from my time at college is the brief delivery days, where tutors introduced new projects and shared different artists and photographers to explore. These sessions gave me a huge amount of inspiration and helped shape my own creative style. In fact, one of my greatest achievements so far has been discovering my niche and developing a strong, personal style through my work. 

What I value most about further education is the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve learned skills I would never have experienced otherwise, such as processing and scanning my own film, which has added another dimension to my photography. 

I would highly recommend UCSE as it’s a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place to study, with access to the kind of equipment and support that really helps you grow and progress in your chosen field. 

Looking ahead, my ambition is to become my own boss and continue building my freelance photography career, combining personal creative work with client-based projects. In the future, I would also love to become a photography tutor, sharing my knowledge and helping others develop their skills and confidence.