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This course has places available for international applicants only – complete our direct application form to apply.
We are no longer accepting applications from UK and EU students for 2020/21 entry to this course. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to say at this point if places will become available before the autumn intake. Please check this page regularly as places may become available later in the cycle and if they do, we will reopen applications.
For a full list of UAL courses open for 2020/21 entry, visit the Courses with places available page.
If you're thinking about applying, or you've applied for an undergraduate course starting in 2020/21, see guidance for prospective students during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Develop your unique identity as a visual storyteller, learning skills from across this rapidly-changing and dynamic industry from news photography and current events to conceptual documentary, editorial and multimedia.
This course is subject to revalidation, which is a process that makes sure students get a high quality academic experience. During revalidation there may be some changes to course content. Please contact us if you have any questions about this course.
Sam talks us through her experience on the course and exhibiting in the final year show.
Bayryam talks to us about his project relating to his family and the history of Bulgarian Turkish community.
Mollie's final year work looks at the relationship between the media and body image.
Fanni talks us through their work about beauty pageants in the final year degree show.
Lewis talks us through their degree show work that looks at children in Burma who do Thai kickboxing.
Waheed's final year project 'All That Glitters is not Dahab' looks at the decline of tourism in Egypt.
Explore projects from graduating students from London College of Communication's BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography course, exhibiting as part of LCC Degree Shows 2019.
London College of Communication Photojournalism and Documentary Photography lecturer Lewis Bush has released new photobook ‘Metropole’ – exploring, researching and photographing property developers and developments in London.
Photography students benefit from access to resources held in the Media Photography areas.
Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practice.
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography allows you to follow an innovative and exciting curriculum rooted in the methodologies of photojournalism and documentary photography as they are professionally practised today.
This course will enable you to acquire the academic knowledge and essential skills to become a working photographer, equipping you to produce work for a range of outlets including newspapers, magazines digital platforms, galleries, books and picture agencies.
The practical elements of the course emphasise learning by doing: you will begin in year 1 by learning to photograph news events, interview newsworthy people and create topical documentary stories.
Students are encouraged to become involved with media organisations and the lively photographic community in London; a process which is enhanced by an exciting range of visiting speakers from the photographic and related industries. It is not uncommon for our students to be working for picture agencies and national news organisations by the time they reach the third year.
Published scholars and academics deliver contextual studies in the history of photojournalism and documentary photography which complements the practical and career-focused aspects of this degree course.
At the heart of the course is our belief in the importance of critical engagement – not only as photographers but as viewers and participants – in a globalised visual culture.
We are committed to enhancing your employability, individuality and entrepreneurship. Enterprise and employability within the arts and media, is about the integration of practice, skills, mindset and personal qualities that enable you to develop and sustain a rewarding professional life.
The curriculum is designed to communicate and open up the possibilities of your own creativity by developing your career aspirations and professional awareness, whether for the creative and cultural sector or beyond.
In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.
This unit acts as an introduction to the course and to your subject specialism. Topics covered include effective learning and studentship at undergraduate level as well as introducing basic technical skills.
This unit will introduce you to the skills and knowledge required to identify, research, shoot and edit a series of photographic images within particular genres of documentary and photojournalistic image making.
This unit introduces you to the key historical and social developments surrounding photojournalism and documentary photography from their earliest stages to the present day.
This unit helps to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to produce a documentary storytelling project. It will examine contemporary ways of using images for storytelling and help you develop an understanding of visual and narrative structure.
The Publication Project is a collaborative endeavour where students come together to work on a particular idea/issue/theme and work in production teams on the creation of a publication.
This unit will introduce media theories that underpin and help us to understand the role of communication systems, modes of representation and systems of meaning. You will learn about the main media laws that affect the work of photojournalists and documentary photographers.
This unit will help you to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to produce a documentary project and associated theoretical research. You will be encouraged to go beyond traditional narrative documentary approaches and to look at ways in which to disrupt expectations about storytelling and start to embrace experimental narratives and structures.
The Elective unit provides a choice of stimulating conceptual and practical projects that will compliment the core units of your course.
In this unit you will further develop the knowledge and skills necessary to produce an in-depth documentary project and associated research. The unit is designed to encourage you to think holistically about the theoretical, philosophical and subjective aspects of documentary photography in relationship to the development of your own practice.
This unit explores the practices of reading and writing within, around and about photojournalism and documentary photography.
The unit culminates in the submission of a Dissertation Proposal, and you will also create an analytical reading journal that records and articulates your engagement with literature in a personal way.
In this unit you will begin the exploratory process of researching and making visual work towards your final major project. You will begin to develop a written proposal, complete a risk assessment and begin to make work that will be further developed in the Major Project Part 2 unit.
This unit requires the consolidation of your Major Project and its presentation in an appropriate form which will be negotiated with tutors and can encompass, for example, a portfolio of photographic prints, multimedia piece or a photographic monograph.
In this unit you will write an extended written essay and will work closely with selected supervisors to present a substantial research project.
This unit asks you to consider your future goals and how to best prepare yourself for your career after university. You’ll do extensive research into your chosen career field, produce a web presence, a creative identity package and an interview with a relevant professional
Joint Course Leader, BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
Joint Course Leader, BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
Acting Course Leader, MA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography (Part-time/Online)
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.
64 UCAS tariff points which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:
And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).
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:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English language requirements page for more information.
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.
The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:
This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in photojournalism and documentary photography, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.
You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.
You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.
State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.
We are no longer accepting applications from UK and EU students for 2020/21 entry to this course. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to say at this point if places will become available before the autumn intake. Please check this page regularly as places may become available later in the cycle and if they do, we will reopen applications.
Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
You must apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you will need the following information:
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.
If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application.
Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.
Please note, this course has places available for international applicants only for 2020/21 entry – complete our direct application form to apply. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:
If you are applying through UCAS you will need the following information:
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.
For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate Application page, and for further advice for international applicants, please visit the UAL International Application page.
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.
If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application.
Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.
Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full digital portfolio.
We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview. To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.
International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend. Details of this interview will be sent via the UAL Portal.
Your portfolio of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.
Please provide a maximum of 20 images of your own original photographic work to support your application.
Important Note: You are strongly advised not to delay the upload by trying to create new work; your main aim should be to demonstrate the creativity within your current portfolio.
We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Track. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.
We invite all offer holders to come to London College of Communication to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.
Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.
If you are offered a place for 2020/21 but wish to defer to 2021/22, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.
International applicants will have to pay a pre-payment in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.
£9,250 (2020/21).
Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
£22,920 (2020/21).
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
Most of our graduates progress onto careers in photojournalism, documentary photography or related fields.