Applicants should have an honours degree or equivalent experience to be considered for this course. We are looking for applicants who may be progressing from an undergraduate course (or equivalent) and who already have a portfolio that demonstrates a good level of practice.

Alternatively, you could be considering a career change and already have a portfolio of good quality photographic images, and now interested in expanding your subject knowledge and understanding, and developing a career in photography.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior 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
• OR a combination of these factors

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

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

• IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.
• If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.

Your application and supporting material will be assessed for:

• The quality of the applicant's practice
• The appropriateness of the applicant's skills, experience and practice to the area of interest identified for development in the course
• Effective communication of intentions, purposes and issues
• The level of contextual awareness and expression of perspective
• The potential for realisation of the stated objectives within the timeframe of the course and envisaged resources
• Evidence that the applicant has the confidence and ability to benefit

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming your application and providing your login details for the UAL Applicant Portal. Please log into the portal, as this is where we will send you important updates and requests, and you can contact us with any questions you may have about your application.

What happens next

Portfolio and interview information

All applications submitted must be supported by a digital portfolio of work to be considered at interview.

Your online portfolio should be in the form of up to 20 images of your work. Please label your work carefully with your name, plus titles if appropriate.

Interviews help us determine whether your personal and professional aspirations are compatible with the aims and philosophy of the course. Not all applicants will be called for an interview.

If you are called for an interview, we advise you to bring strong examples of current work. The interview also gives you an opportunity to demonstrate an objective, critical and reflective relationship to your work.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Applicant Portal.

Home / EU fee

£11,220 (2020/21 entry)

International fee

£22,920 (2020/21 entry)

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. We strongly suggest you read the information on our Additional Costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.

Career paths

Graduate Diploma in Photography provides you with the skills you will need for a career as a professional photographer. You'll be encouraged to research, evaluate and develop projects which directly relate to your future aspirations and be given the chance to develop a portfolio suitable for presentation to clients to help you gain commissions or employment on completing the course.

The creative, research and professional skills gained on the course enable a broad range of careers possibilities, including:

• Photographer (advertising, fashion, editorial, blogging, documentary, picture researcher)
• Art buyer
• Picture editor
• Publisher
• Stills production
• Digital operator
• Art director
• Entrepreneur

See examples of work by our graduates:

• Monika Sathe
• Andy Lopo
• Monika Sathe
• Kenichi Nakao
• James Brittain