University of the Arts London (UAL) BA (Hons) Photography Communication, media, film and cultural studies Date of production/revision July 2015

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1 Programme Specification Awarding Body University of the Arts London (UAL) Teaching Institution London College of Communication Final Award Relevant QAA Benchmark Statement BA (Hons) Photography Communication, media, film and cultural studies Date of production/revision July 2015 BA (Hons) Photography at LCC is a full-time, conceptually driven course in which students write their own projects and essay questions under term long umbrella themes. These umbrella themes are delivered through lectures, tutorials, technical workshops and crits. This demands that the student is able to work in a selfmotivated manner to develop their individual voice within the medium, essential as they move into the professional world of photography. The interrelated nature of photographic practice, its theory and its technology, and how one enhances and informs the other, forms the core of the course. The students are guided through units in the 1 st year to introduce this methodology and as they move into the 2 nd year of the course they develop their critical understanding of the medium and increasingly the relationship with the audience. In the 3 rd year students consolidate their interests, take increased responsibility for their own learning and through a public exhibition of their major project, the dissemination of this project and a 9000-word dissertation develop their individual voice within the field of photography. Alumni of the course have been successful in many fields of photography: working in all genres of photography as freelance photographers; picture editors; commissioning editors; art directors; curators; and moving into postgraduate study at world class institutions such as Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths, Cambridge and Oxford Universities. Course Aims This course aims to: Enable all students to reach their creative and intellectual potential. Enable all students to develop an understanding of the interrelated nature of practise, theory and technology and how one enhances and informs the other. 1

2 Enable all students to gain technical skills relevant to a diverse range of photographic opportunities after college. Enable all students to gain professional skills relevant to a diverse range of photographic opportunities after college. Course Outcomes The outcomes that you will have demonstrated upon completion of the course, are the applicable university marking criteria are in brackets at the end of each course outcome: Work on self-motivated projects over a sustained period of time and apply their critical understanding of the medium in order to make decisions about editing, presentation and shooting methodology. (Collaborative or independent professional working, Subject Knowledge, Technical Competence) Critically engage with current and historical debates surrounding photographic practice and have an understanding of where their own work is situated within this. (Subject Knowledge) Use a variety of transferable skills enabling you to continue your photographic practice, to find employment in many areas of contemporary media forms and/ or continue to postgraduate study. (Personal and Professional development) Make creative and rigorous work, which explores your personal view. (Experimentation, Technical Competence) Research, evaluate and organise information from a variety of sources in order to communicate coherently around a variety of issues raised within photographic practice. (Research, Analysis) Contextualise and make rigorously creative work, which explores your personal view. (Experimentation, Technical Competence) Demonstrate a strong understanding of the variety of methodologies used within the contemporary media forms. (Subject Knowledge) Learning and Teaching Methods: The course is taught through a mixture of group briefings, individual and group tutorials, lectures, workshops, crits and seminars. 2

3 Assessment Methods: Throughout the course there are a variety of assessment methods used; blog, essays, dissertation, case studies, interviews, exhibitions, presentations, book launch, symposiums and student led crits. We mix assessment requirements so that at times students are present and others the works are assessed without presentation, supported by written statements. Reference Points The following reference points were considered when deciding on the areas that needed re-writing within BA (Hons) Photography: Competitor courses (clarifying the different approach we have to the study of photography at LCC) Industry discussions Technical developments in the medium International and local external experience Student feedback Programme Summary Programme structures, features, units, credit and award requirements: The course is full time 30 weeks a year and 14 hours per week in the 1 st year, 12 in 2 nd year and 10 in 3 rd year. Year One: Practice 1: Image and Reality. 20 credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed via exhibition and student presentation. Practice 2: A Personal Manifesto. 20 credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed in book format, individual meetings with student and book launch. Practice 3: Site-ing the Image. 20 credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed as student presentation to group. Contextual Studies 1: Practices, Histories & Ideas. 40 credits. 30 week long unit. Assessed via three essays (one per term): 1000 words, 1500 words and 2000 words. Introduction to Study in Higher Education. 20 credits. 20 week long unit. Assessed via critical reflection essay (1500 words) and self-assessment document (1000 words). Year Two: Practice 4: Photographic Visualisations of Society and its Ideologies. 20 Credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed via gallery installation. 3

4 Practice 5: The Digital Image in Contemporary Experience. 20 Credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed via exhibition, with artist statement no student presence. Collaborative Unit. 20 Credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed in exhibition with Unit 5. Practice 6: The Symposium. 20 Credits. 10 week long unit. Assessed via symposium. Contextual Studies 2: Contemporary Issues. 40 credits. 30 week long unit. Assessed via three essays (one per term): 3500 words, 3500 words, word symposium paper and proposal for dissertation. Year Three: Practice 7: Pilot Project and Exit Dossier. 20 Credits. Pilot project assessed via exhibition, with student presentations; exit dossier assessed as portfolio. Practice 8: Major Project. 60 credits. 20 week long unit. Assessed in exhibition. Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation. 40 credits. 20 week long unit. Assessed via 7-9,000 word long dissertation on chosen subject. Distinctive features of the course: Conceptually driven course where practice, theory and technology are interrogated in order that each student finds their own distinctive voice and position in the field and has the opportunity to become an expert at undergraduate level within that area. The course produces graduates who have the capability to develop their career in many directions, be that an academic route with further study at MA and PHD level study or a practice led route of fine art/fashion/advertising/editorial work, or a photographic cultures route of archiving, curating, art direction, art buying and publishing. Flexible and student led approach, enabling students to work within or across a broad range of genres within photography. Students are also able to extend their practice into related media and practices, and there is a growing emphasis on the relationship of photography to emerging digital media. Close link in the curriculum between specialist theory and practice, enabling students to develop a high level of contextual understanding of the medium. Access to traditional analogue as well as digital photography facilities, and an emphasis on a high level of technical understanding and proficiency, with workshops and access to professional standard darkrooms, digital suits and photographic studios and dedicated technicians. Students are also able to access a range of technical facilities and support for cross-media practice including printmaking, video and sound. 4

5 The international student body is supported through a creative learning environment, where ideas are shared and international resources fed back into the curriculum. Part of a large photography department including BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, MA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, MA Photography and a more commercial PG Dip in Photography Portfolio Development, making available a wide range of expertise and voices. Based in a programme that is research-based, conceptually strong and innovative practice that works equally well across the arts and media. There is a thriving research culture including research hubs in Photography and The Contemporary Imaginary, Photography and Conflict, and a planned one in Photography Futures, as well as the Photography and the Archive Research Centre, and a growing number of PhD students. All these areas hold conferences, visiting speaker programmes and events at LCC which are open to our students. Strong relationships with photographic cultures and industries in London and UK. For example the LCC/Tate collaboration has been running since 2009; the LCC/Imperial War Museum collaboration has been running since Students last year also worked on projects with Nokia, with artists Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin and Museum of London. International reputation as a leading academic photography course producing some of the finest photographers of recent history as well as working across all areas of the photographic industry, including: Tom Hunter; Sophy Rickett; Dan Holdsworth; Rut Blees Luxemburg; Bettina von Zwehl; Dan Tobin Smith; Jacob Sutton; Melinda Gibson; Edgar Martins; Juno Calypso; Duncan Whyte; Mariko Finch; Olly Reed; to name a few over the last few years. Our international reputation has facilitated the establishment of an exchange programme with School of Visual Arts New York, one of the world s leading photography schools. Recruitment and Admissions Admission Policy/Selection Criteria The BA (Hons) Photography course team recognise applicants come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds from across the world. The course in the main attracts students who apply direct from A level or other equivalent qualifications but it also welcomes students from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and other art courses as well as mature students who may have worked in industry. You will have to show a strong interest in photography, ideally with some 5

6 experience of media practice or of working in a related industry, and an aptitude and talent for Photography. Entry Requirements (Home/International/EU): For admission to BA (Hons) Photography applicants normally need: 1 subject at GCE Advanced level and Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. Alternatively, 200 UCAS tariff points (gained at GCE Advanced level) will be considered, supported by passes in five other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. A levels (or equivalents) would ideally be achieved at Grade B or above and should include Arts and Humanities subjects. A level Photography is required. We also accept people with the equivalent qualifications obtained through a National Diploma, Access, NVQ and a variety of other pre-university level qualifications including International and European Baccalaureate. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered. We also accept those with relevant professional and vocational qualifications. Other entry routes: We also welcome applicants such as mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this course will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with photography theory and practice. In such cases students applying on the basis of their previous experience or who wish to enter the course with through Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes should apply via UCAS and will be guided by the admissions staff on the AP(E)L processes. Language requirements (International/EU) International and EU Students: In the case of Applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on the Language Requirements page: International Applicants visit the Support for International Students page: for contact details for International Admissions 6

7 Study Abroad Applicants: International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad section on the UAL website for details of how to apply, or contact the Study Abroad office: T: +44 (0) E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk Or for further information on Study Abroad and Erasmus schemes, please follow the links below: UAL Erasmus and Exchanges: Study Abroad: Deferred Entry: For Home/EU applicants, the Course Leader will determine whether deferred places are available for the course. If you wish to defer your place, it is advisable to indicate this on your application form and/or discuss this with the admissions team and course leader before/after applying at the earliest opportunity. In all cases, deferred places will only be held for one year. International applicants are normally permitted to defer entry to any programme of study for one year only, after which they will be asked to reapply. Minimum UAL Entry Requirements To see the University s Regulations on Admissions, please go to the following link: Admission Procedures The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London. Applications will normally be made through UCAS. Applicants will be invited to submit examples of their work supported by a statement and a short piece of writing about a photograph on public display. You will require a portfolio of photographic work and research books. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by the staff team in February; through discussion and close inspection of practical work presented in portfolio or alternative format their suitability for the course will be tested. 7

8 Applicants from overseas, unable to attend an interview may be considered for admission on receipt of relevant equivalent qualifications and a submission of work. Recommendations for acceptance are submitted by the Interviewing Panel to the course director. The outcome of interviews is handled by the normal UCAS reporting system. Student Selection Criteria/what do we look for? All applications will be considered by the course team and offers will be made based upon the following selection criteria. The team will consider three key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course: 1) Firstly they will look at your qualifications (or projected results). 2) Secondly, they will review your academic or personal reference. 3) Then they will scrutinise your portfolio and personal statement. The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in photography and that you have thought very carefully about why you want to study on this course. You should take great care when writing your personal statement to ensure that it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your biggest chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. It is also an opportunity for you to state what you feel you would bring to the course. Through your personal statement, you should show a strong interest in Photography. This can be demonstrated through work experience, studying and personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at the LCC. Portfolio Advice Once you have been given an interview date you need to prepare your portfolio. We advise you to bring approximately 20 printed images from a selection of projects. Please do not bring digital portfolios. Try not to include any singular shots in this selection (put these in a separate book if you really want to show us them, along with technical experiments). We are very interested in your research books and would also like you to bring along a sample of written work. Remember that we are interested in your ideas and how you have developed and researched projects so you can use your research books to demonstrate this. Interview Advice If you are invited for interview you can prepare yourself in advance: 8

9 Before the interview absorb yourself in photography. For example, go to exhibitions (if not possible look on web sites), read books, magazines, read reviews of exhibitions and take time to look at images. Make notes about your reactions to any/all of the above and you will have the foundation of the preparation for your interview. If any of these have influenced a piece of your own work then all the better. We expect you to be enthusiastic with some knowledge of photography. Remind yourself why you are applying to LCC. Interviews last about 15 minutes so you and your portfolio need to be prepared. In your portfolio you should have a selection of projects, these should consist of a few images for each project not one off images. You might want to think about rearranging your portfolio, thinking of a theme throughout rather than small samples of different projects. The presentation is not fixed; it may all be in one folio or in a selection of books or whichever way you decide is best. Practice talking through your portfolio before the interview. Students are admitted to the course having fulfilled the necessary entry requirements and on the basis of their potential to benefit from the programme. 9

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