University of Gloucestershire wins Photography Course of the Year

University of Gloucestershire’s BA (Hons) Photography (Editorial & Advertising) has been awarded The Association of Photographers (AOP) Course of the Year 2025.

Having previously won the award in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the Photography (Editorial & Advertising) course has been recognised once again as the top affiliated course in the country at the AOP Student Awards, demonstrating the outstanding quality of photography education delivered by the School of Creative Arts.

One of the most prestigious professional photographers associations in the world, the AOP highlights the emerging, diverse talents of students and institutions across the UK at their annual Student Awards.

Course Leaders, Trudie Ballantyne and Anne Gormley, said: “We are thrilled and incredibly proud to win this prestigious award. We thank all our team, including lecturers, technicians, visiting speakers and workshop givers, many of whom are course alumni.

“For over 40 years the AOP has supported the development and lobbied for the rights of professional photographers. As an affiliated course, we appreciate all the AOP does for the current and the next generation of photographers and image-makers.

“Thank you to our students for giving testaments about the professionalism of our course. It’s very special to win this award as we all work hard to make the course the best it can be – inspiring, challenging and fun.”

The University also welcomed student success as Cody Goode, a second-year student from the Photography (Editorial & Advertising) course, was shortlisted as a finalist in the People Category at the awards. Cody’s images (featured and below images) were exhibited at Free Range 2025 – an annual creative showcase, supporting emerging talent from across the UK – at The Truman Brewery, London, where the AOP Student Awards were held.

Isabelle Doran, CEO of the AOP, commented: “Huge congratulations to University of Gloucestershire on winning the AOP Photography Course of the Year 2025, as voted by AOP Accredited Course student members. We were delighted that current student Cody Goode was at the awards ceremony as a People Category Finalist to acknowledge the award on behalf of the University.”

The win comes as the course prepares to join other creative programmes, including art, music and TV and film production, at Park Campus this summer. The move will allow the course to benefit from greater creative collaborations between students, staff and courses, as well as new studios, workshop spaces and other specialist facilities as part of the University’s new Creative Campus.