BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography

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 credits. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

During the first year, through a series of specially designed theory and practice sessions, you will learn about historical and contemporary photography practices and the key theoretical frameworks used to situate them.

You’ll be introduced to specialist photographic skills and creative methodologies in a supportive environment, to develop your curiosity and creativity. Beginning now and continuing through all three years of the course, there will be a guest lecture from a visiting professional photographer giving insight into a range of photographic practices, which is also a space to meet fellow photography students from across the programme at BA and MA levels.

Introduction to Photojournalism and Documentary Photography (20 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. 

Practical Documentary Photography & Photojournalism (20 credits)

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. 

Histories & Theories of Photojournalism and Documentary Photography (20 credits)

This unit introduces you to the key historical and social issues surrounding photojournalism and documentary photography from their earliest stages to the present day.

Documentary Storytelling (20 credits)

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.

Moving Image (20 credits)

This unit will train you in the skills of basic moving image/film-making within a photojournalism and documentary photography context. You will be supported by expert tutors in developing content and technical skills, resulting in the production of your own short film.

Media Ethics  & Media Law (20 credits)

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.

Year 2

As you move into Year 2 you will expand on your skills and start to develop your voice within your practice. Year 2 builds on the foundations established in Year 1, creating space for you to begin to develop and contextualize your own practice by working on more open and self-directed assignments via both practice and theory/written work. Towards the end of the year, you will be supported to create a dissertation proposal. 

Contemporary Documentary 1 (40 credits)

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.

Elective Unit (20 credits)

The Elective unit provides a choice of stimulating conceptual and practical projects that will compliment the core units of your course.

Contemporary Documentary 2 (40 credits)

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.

Reading & Writing Practice (20 credits)

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.

Year 3

Year 3, the final stage, consolidates and develops your ability to direct and plan your own work by producing two substantial self-directed assignments – your Major Project, and your Dissertation. You will also complete a Contemporary Professional Practice unit, designed to prepare you in very practical ways for life after graduation. 

All three Year 3 units are designed to enable you to sustain your practice in an individual way and take the next steps towards your career. 

Major Project part 1 (20 credits)

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.

Major Project part 2 (40 credits)

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.

Dissertation (40 credits)

In this unit you will write an extended written essay and will work closely with selected supervisors to present a substantial research project.

Contemporary Professional Practice (20 credits)

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.