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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fine Art: Photography

Abstract photographic print with different textures and shades of blue by Alex Burgess - BA Fine Art Photography.
Alex Burgess., Alex Burgess.
BA (Hons) Fine Art: Photography, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
College
Camberwell College of Arts
UCAS code
W642
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 years

BA Fine Art Photography at Camberwell College of Arts offers an open and experimental approach to fine art photographic practice.

Apply to start in September 2023 

This course has places available. Read our Guide to applying for a course starting this September through UCAS Extra. For a full list of UAL courses open for 2023/24 entry, visit the Courses with places available page.

Course overview

BA Fine Art: Photography begins with photography but expands into the processes that emerge from a global culture of widespread image-making. You will explore the future of the image, its historical and material foundations, its potential as a social and political tool and its status and meaning within fine art and the everyday. 

What to expect

  • To test and explore the creative possibilities and limits of photography.
  • Consider the broadest applications of image and material through experimentation.
  • To think about documentation, advertising, personal memento, public image and object of expression. To ask how these uses affect our perception of photographic culture. 
  • Explore photography’s diverse relationships to the sciences and technologies of vision, including machine vision, physics and neurology, and the history of expanded photographic practices. 
  • Be introduced to technical processes from analogue to digital.
  • To investigate methods through which your work reaches its audience.
  • Explore international ideas about contemporary photographic practice.
  • To study the practice of fine art, its history, culture and contemporary position.
  • To make work and develop an ethical practice.
  • To express and explore your artistic, social and personal interests informed by focussed research.
  • To discuss your work through tutorials, seminars, group and cross-course crits.
  • Methods and materials workshops and demonstrations by artists and technicians.
  • Opportunities to gain knowledge and experience of collaborative working and socially engaged art practice.
  • A lecture programme that gives you a deeper understanding of contemporary fine art practice. It will widen your critical, theoretical, historical knowledge. This is for all Camberwell undergraduate students studying Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Computational Arts.
  • To choose between a final year dissertation, performance, practical work placement or live project.
  • To take part in external projects with students from across Camberwell's BA Fine Art programme.  
  • Course specific lectures, seminars and field trips.  
  • To have access to printmaking, photography, film, moving image, digital, plastic, ceramics, wood and metalwork. This enables our students to think of art practices in its’ most expanded form and its relationship to other art forms. View the Camberwell facilities.

Work experience and opportunities

All our students have the opportunity and are supported in exhibiting their work to an external audience. During the second year all our students can take part in a wide variety of seminars and workshops hosted by a variety of external arts organisations.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in the college’s international exchange scheme to study abroad. Recent BA Fine Art students have spent part of their study with partner institutions in Leipzig, Madrid, Marseille, Milan, New York and Tokyo.

In the third year all students, can if they wish, undertake a work placement, instead of a written dissertation or practical live project. Students have worked alongside well-established artists, such as Richard Wentworth or David Batchelor. Others have worked within educational or curatorial institutions, such as Tate, Chisenhale Gallery, or within a specialist area such as a foundry.

Mode of study

BA Fine Art: Photography is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1 - Introduction to Fine Art

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.

Unit 2 - Establishing practice

  • Methods and materials workshops will help you gain specialist technical knowledge.
  • Seminars on how professional artists live and work in the context of an art world increasingly shaped by postcolonial and feminist discourses.
  • To be encouraged to consider how fine art can be thought of as a social research activity inspired by the wider world and the creative imagination.
  • To produce a research file comprised of written and research tasks, alongside reflections on talks and events.
  • To be supported in the development of artistic ideas from questions you have about the wider world, images that interest you, subjects you’ve read about and your own identity.
  • To generate new ideas and become more deeply engaged with your work by making art that emerges from your fascination and curiosity.

Unit 3 - Ideas into practice

You will be asked to identify which specific skills and strategies help you in making and understanding your work. You will be thinking about questions such as how your work is made, how it begins to communicate and how you might introduce or discuss it.

  • Group crits will develop your expertise in how to talk about art.
  • To explore writing and research through workshops and group exercise.s
  • To present and share ideas and pictures shaping your imagination to your peers.
  • Workshops and seminars about techniques of artistic display, curatorial themes and audience relationships.
  • To take part in a cross-course fine art exhibition.

Unit 4 - Activating practice

This unit has 2 parts. The first uses degree show outcomes as an opportunity for reflective critical and contextual writing. The second part asks students to imagine an external project outside the college’s studio environment.

  • Lectures on the contexts in which art is made and shown. They will look at examples of how proposals around the world are realised for specific locations and exhibitions.
  • To develop a proposal for an external conext.
  • To be supported through tutorial and group discussions.
  • To write a review of a selected BA Fine Art work on public display.
  • Writing workshops to support you by looking at diverse styles and purposes of reviewing art exhibitions.

Year 2

Unit 5 - Working for a context

This unit is about re-establishing your practice whilst also progressing your research methodologies. It is about exploring the relationship between fine art and photography in more depth.

  • To produce work for a group crit.
  • An introduction to strategies for collaboration and the ethical considerations that accompany working with others.
  • To create and present an artist’s manifesto that expresses the context for your practice. 
  • To reflect on your progress through self-evaluation.

Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices

This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes: 

  • To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project.
  • To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work.
  • To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts.

Unit 7 - Refining practice

  • To continue to develop your creative practice.
  • Seminars and reading groups introduce you to the relationships between fine art and ideas about society, identity, politics and the environment.
  • To critically contextualise an artist’s work through written essay or presentation, based on relevant texts, theories or ideas.
  • To take part in a group exhibition with your peers.

Unit 8 - Audiences

  • To create and present an artist’s manifesto that expresses the context for your practice.
  • To participate in workshops that will explain and help you plan for your third year.
  • To prepare a detailed proposal for your third year.
  • To work alongside third year students helping with degree show outcomes.

Year 3

Unit 9 - Practice and articulation

  • To develop and produce work for a public audience.
  • To produce a piece of research that can be produced either in written form, by presentation or through a live project/work placement.
  • Art and its audiences programme of seminars will help you manage artistic life after art school and how to apply for postgraduate study.

Unit 10 - Practice and presentation

  • To present work in the degree show, a multi-platform public-facing display of work.
  • An introduction to possible national and international progression routes.
  • Workshops, seminars, tutorials and lectures on approaches to curation, audiences, methods of display, materials and the ethics of representation.
  • To produce written work or a digital portfolio that presents your work and ideas.
  • To be encouraged to proactively engage with communities within and outside of the art school to build sustainable and ethical working relationships.

Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3

Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing. Whilst these Diplomas are an optional aspect of the course, they are designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Events, screenings and visits
  • Group and individual critiques, tutorials and formal reviews
  • Individual programmes of study
  • Key ideas lecture programme
  • Learning skills in practical and technical workshops.
  • Lectures and visiting speakers
  • Staff and student led seminars and discussions

Student work

  • Camberwell-Oliver-Newman-BA-Photography-2017.jpg
    Oliver Newman - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Szilvia-Bolla.jpeg
    Szilvia Bolla - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Sofia-Ginevra-Gianni-1860.jpg
    Sofia Ginevra-Gianni - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Lee-Mann-1000.jpg
    Lee Mann - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Lea-Collet.jpg
    Lea Collet - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-katie-Pankowski-1000.jpg
    Katie Pankowski - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Izaak-Brandt-1000.jpg
    Izaak Brandt - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Hannah-Jetschmann.jpg
    Hannah Jetschmann - BA Photography
  • camberwell-BA-Photography-Giacomo-Raffaelli-1000.jpg
    Giacomo Raffaelli - BA Photography

Film

Show 2022: Jakkaphat Bunmachertchai

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

International fee

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

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. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An ability to explore, articulate and develop ideas
  • An ability to research information and visual material to support your ideas
  • Your portfolio to demonstrate a range of appropriate skills and technical abilities
  • An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work

Apply now

Places available 2023/24 

This course has places available for 2023/24 entry. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Apply

You must apply through UCAS, where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W642

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (GMT) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Following the review of the digital portfolio, a small number of applicants will progress to the interview stage. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes. For support with your interview, visit our Interview tips page.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing your artwork, this may include photographic or work made in other media. The quality of the work is more important than the quantity.
  • Your ability to develop and explore ideas.
  • Images from sketch books or supporting work alongside final outcomes. These help us see your working process and indicate developing research, interests and influences.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts

Places available 2023/24 

This course has places available for 2023/24 entry. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Apply

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

Applying through UCAS you will need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W642

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once a year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (GMT) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an Immigration History Check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Initial application check and selection

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Once we have received your digital portfolio it will be reviewed by the academic team. A decision will be made on your application which may include - offer, offer alternative, recommend to alternative course, reject or invite to interview.

We aim for all on time application reviews to take place by the end of March 2023.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing your artwork, this may include photographic or work made in other media. The quality of the work is more important than the quantity.
  • Your ability to develop and explore ideas.
  • Images from sketch books or supporting work alongside final outcomes. These help us see your working process and indicate developing research, interests and influences.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts
  • An official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed

Study Abroad

Through the Study Abroad programme international students can apply to join an undergraduate course.

For information on how to apply visit the Study Abroad section.

Careers

Our BA Fine Art Photography graduates have exhibited their work in major UK competitions and exhibitions, including The Photographer’s Gallery’s Fresh Faced and Wild Eyed exhibition of most promising graduates, Saatchi New Sensations, Sony Professional Photography Awards and The Sovereign Asian Art Prize.

Others have gone on to work for major galleries and publishers, whilst many former students progress to postgraduate study.

Alumni

  • Pedro Alfacinha - Photography publishing, Steidl and Mack Books
  • Lea Collet - Artist
  • Jon Maguire - Freelance documentary filmmaker
  • Robert Zhao Renhui - Artist
  • Katherine Reynolds - Curator

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.