The uses of photography in modern society are wide ranging and diverse and to reflect this, you can choose from one of the following specialist routes:
- Photography
- Photography in Europe
- Photography for Fashion
- Photography as Art Practice
- Photography as Documentary.
This is a very flexible course giving you great breadth of choice, and the chance to specialise in a particular area. You'll work with tutors whose expertise spans a wide range of photographic practice and research, as well as learning from a diverse array of visiting lecturers.
Whether in the UK or abroad, most students undertake some short work experience during their second year. Recent employers have included The Sunday Times , Rankin, Mark George and the Press Association.
Student exchange blog
Two of our current Photography students have recently gone on an exchange to Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. Both students were awarded Dean's Scholarships by the School of Art & Design to make this possible. Read their blog to find out what it's like to go on exchange.
Art and Design Degree Shows 2012
Our final-year Art and Design Degree Shows will be taking place in May and June at the University. 20 courses will be showcasing inspirational work across the campus and the shows are open to the public.
Find out about our Degree Shows on the School of Art & Design website.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
Year One
Investigate fundamental ideas about contemporary and historical photographic practice and theory. You will also receive a comprehensive introduction to photographic techniques, including:
- black and white and colour printing
- studio lighting
- medium format cameras
- digital photography.
Students who have opted for Photography in Europe will research and arrange their exchange. We'll give you support and advice to help you choose the right institution for you.
Year Two
- Focus on developing your own interests and working towards your specialist area.
- Study visual cultural practices, critical practice and professional practice in photography.
- Take on practical work experience and live projects to develop creative, experimental, critically informed work.
- Put on live external exhibitions around the city and develop your portfolio by working with curators, photographers and publishers.
- Benefit from further in-depth photographic workshops that cover medium and large format cameras, traditional and digital printing, web design, film and audio visual techniques.
Year Three
- Research your dissertation, which could reflect a topic linked to your photographic practice.
- Prepare for, and get involved in, the final-year photography degree show festival: this is a major assessed element of the year.
Assessment
The course is made up of visual and critical practice. Assessment is based on the work you do in the third year and comprises a dissertation and a degree show, which is organised as a photography festival.
The festival is coordinated entirely by final-year students to profile their work at venues around Nottingham, as well as within a public exhibition at the University. It's a great opportunity that will give you an excellent insight into the whole spectrum of processes and skills involved in staging a professional photographic exhibition.
Student gallery
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our student gallery.
Specialist equipment and facilities
Recently upgraded facilities include:
- black and white, and colour darkrooms
- photography studios
- Mac editing suites
- camera store
- digital printer.
The NTU Boots library has an extensive collection of photography books for research and inspiration.
We recommend that you'll need to bring your own 35mm camera, black and white processing equipment and most materials, and all students invest in a computer, scanner and printer during the course. Students can also hire a range of traditional and digital photographic equipment from the photography stores department in the Bonington building.
Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.
Opportunities
We arrange regular visits to international photography festivals like the Festival of Lights series in Paris, Berlin and Bratislava, as well as major exhibitions in London, New York and Bilbao.
We also have a strong, established network of partner intuitions and organisations worldwide and if you choose, you can take on short periods of study abroad as part of Photography in Europe through the University's SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme.
At every stage of the course we encourage our students to show what they can do by entering competitions and taking up industry challenges.
Our graduates win prestigious and widely recognized awards. Recent successes include:
- Natalie Theobold (2010) - Speedo Award winner
- Stephanie Cartwright (2010) - Djanogly, Hive and Genesis bursary award winner
- Richard Johnson(2010)- Genesis Imaging London award winner
- Lucinda Chua (2007) - featured in a Channel 4 photography documentary competition series hosted by Martin Parr;
- Lyndsey Jackson (2006) - Tom Gower Award winner
- Anna White (2006) - recently exhibited at the Tate Modern
- Simon Starling (2005) - Turner Prize winner
- Shamil Tanna (2004) - Association of Photographers open winner 2007, now working freelance as a commercial photographer
- Oliver Parker (2004) - winner of the Jerwood Photography Award, run with Portfolio Magazine
- Julian Finney (2004) - winner of the Sports Journalism Award for Young Sports Photographer of the Year, Editorial, now working for Getty images.
Your future career
Our students are well known for their innovation and regularly win accolades in prestigious awards and competitions. The course is also widely acknowledged as being an excellent launch pad for a range of exciting and challenging graduate careers.
Our graduates win prestigious and widely recognized awards. Recent successes include:
- Natalie Theobold (2010) - Speedo Award winner
- Stephanie Cartwright (2010) - Djanogly, Hive and Genesis bursary award winner
- Richard Johnson (2010) - Genesis Imaging London award winner
- Lucinda Chua (2007) - featured in a Channel 4 photography documentary competition series hosted by Martin Parr
- Lyndsey Jackson (2006) - Tom Gower Award winner
- Anna White (2006) - recently exhibited at the Tate Modern
- Simon Starling (2005) - Turner Prize winner
- Shamil Tanna (2004) - Association of Photographers open winner 2007, now working freelance as a commercial photographer
- Oliver Parker (2004) - winner of the Jerwood Photography Award, run with Portfolio Magazine
- Julian Finney (2004) - winner of the Sports Journalism Award for Young Sports Photographer of the Year, Editorial, now working for Getty images.
Work placements
Although this course does not offer a formal placement year, students are encouraged to undertake informal work placements and enter live industry competitions. All our courses are vocationally focused and benefit from strong links to industry.
Giving you competitive advantage
In today's competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. A work placement is a valuable addition to your education. You'll gain real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crown and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
What are the benefits of a work placement?
Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help in your day-to-day studies and is often paid. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice which will be an invaluable skill in your future career. Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual's effort and is not guaranteed.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
If you are an international (non-EU) applicant you will still need to apply to us through UCAS, but can find information and guidance about the application process on our Applying and Fees for International (non-EU) students webpage.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
- 2013 entry: 15 January 2013
Applications received after this date will be marked as late, and only considered if places are still available after all on time applications have been assessed.
We have a number of open days that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to visit us click on the book an open day button at the top right of this page.
Interviews and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
The table below shows you how we asses different types of applicants, once we've received their UCAS application.
| Type of applicant | Online Work Submission | Interview |
|---|
| A-level / BTEC National Diploma / Other | Yes | Yes |
| Art and Design Foundation Diploma | Yes | Yes |
| Mature | Yes | Yes |
If you meet the minimum entry requirements or are a Mature applicant we will ask you to make an online work submission of:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a short written summary.
If we need you to submit work, we'll contact you when we receive your UCAS application. Your online work submission will be used to decided whether to invite you to attend an interview at the University.
Interview and portfolio information
For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Photography/Photography in Europe interview and portfolio information. 
Overseas applicant
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us:
- 12 examples of your photography work
- A written summary about each piece of work.
When we receive your UCAS application we'll contact you to tell you how to submit your work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
English language requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Art & Design, and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
UCAS points
The 280 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 280 UCAS points required.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature applicants (over the age of 21) for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a mature you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
