Summer Study Abroad - Digital Photography Portfolio

Dates and fees

Dates: 29 June 2026 – 16 July 2026
Fee: £2,630
Application deadline: 11 May 2026
Fee payment deadline: The full fee payment is due within 2 weeks of receiving your offer
Duration: 3 weeks, with classes Monday to Thursday
Location: Central Saint Martins* - Granary Square

*Although this is a London College of Communication course, in summer 2026 it will be located in the Central Saint Martins building.

Entry requirements

English requirements

You should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and presentations. As a guideline we would expect you to have an English language level equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0. A certificate is not required.

Academic requirements

This course does not require any prior subject experience and is open to all levels. Students must be over 18 wanting an undergraduate-level of study.

Application requirements

When applying you will be required to provide us with:

• A copy of your in-date passport. Your passport needs to cover the whole length of the course;

• A 200-300 word personal statement. The personal statement should indicate why you plan to Study Abroad in London at UAL. You should also indicate why you would like to join the course for which you are applying.

Course details

Throughout the course you will be given lectures by photographers who have created specialised work across areas such as fashion, editorial, advertising and fine-art photography. The assignments will enhance your creative camera control as well as develop your conceptual awareness. You can choose to work individually, or with your fellow students. You will engage in group discussions of each others' work alongside your tutor.

Week one: We will start by having peer to peer portfolio reviews. This will give you the best individual support throughout the course. After this, you will be out testing your skills. You will be shooting briefs on subjects such as street photography, portraiture, conceptual photography and photojournalism.

Week two: We will begin with an introduction to lighting on location and lead on to a series of guided assignments in the studios. Here, your group will be taught how to execute a photographic vision. This will be achieved via brainstorms and mood-boards before getting expert practical advice on how to use a top end photo studio.

Week three: With what you have learnt from the first two weeks, you will now focus on building your portfolio. You will have one-to-one tutorials to help galvanise your ideas and technical workshops. By the end of the 3-week period, you will have generated enough photographic material to create a hard copy portfolio. Portfolios will be assessed by your tutor and presented in a summer school exhibition at Central Saint Martins.

Course Aims

To develop a defined photographic style across a number of photographic genres that will eventually lead you to create your own printed photographic portfolio. You can use photographs from the workshops, assignments and your own photography projects to build this printed portfolio in the final week.

Learning Outcomes

• Improved understanding of DSLR.
• Heightened comprehension of visual style and aesthetic in photography.
• An awareness of developing an idea (concept) photographically.
• Developing your own brand/aesthetic/self

Follow on courses

Once you have taken this course you may be interested in MA Photography.

Credits

• This course is the equivalent to 4 US / 16 UK / 8 ECTS style credits. For more information check our credits and assessments page.
• If you’re planning to claim credit towards your degree, be sure to check with your home institution before you apply. Please note that some institutions may have a different credit equivalence, please check this with your home institution.

Post-course

Study Abroad students receive a Record of Study 6-8 weeks after completion of their course. They will also receive a digital badge and downloadable certificate from Accredible after their Record of Study is issued. Badges can be shared in digital portfolios, used on CVs and added to social media profiles such as LinkedIn.

Why choose this course?

• experience a taster of our undergraduate photography programmes at UAL.
• develop a portfolio of strong photographic work.
• learn from tutors who are practicing artists, designers and communicators; benefit from access to specialist facilities at one of UAL’s six Colleges.
• meet like-minded individuals from around the world!
• get involved in UAL life through social events and activities.
• All courses are assessed and you'll receive a record of study at the end of the programme if you wish to request credit from your home institution.

Materials

You will be provided with a basic set of drawing paper, pens/pencils, and a sketchbook.

Please ensure you bring:

• A laptop
• Adobe Suite Software
• A DSLR camera - optional lens; 35mm, 85/100mm focal lengths, 24-70mm acceptable, however, prime/fixed lenses are better. A mirrorless camera is also acceptable.

Summer Study Abroad Award

We offer two Summer Study Abroad Award for for two students on one of our 3-week Summer Study Abroad courses.

To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older, hold an offer to join one of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses, and be enrolled on an undergraduate degree programme outside the UK.

• The award covers the tuition-fee only and depends on you successfully enrolling for the course. Our cancellation policy still applies.
• Award winners will be asked to take part in promotional activities to promote Summer Study Abroad, including social media posts and takeovers, and blog writing.

Find out how to apply.