Photography (Documentary Photojournalism)

Feel the excitement of professional photography on our Documentary Photojournalism degree. Learn the key skills required to be a working photographer, get regularly published worldwide and how to make a living and a career from photography.

You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers who are all professional working photographers. You’ll develop your passion to be become a modern working photojournalist or documentary photographer through regular feedback and one-to-one tuition and develop and tell stories on local, national and global issues.

You’ll produce a striking portfolio, along with a published book, a documentary short film with sound, and you’ll take part in regular exhibitions to showcase your talent and develop your skills.

Working with industry partners, you’ll have the chance engage in industry-based modules and live briefs. The course is designed to empower you to become a highly employable force in the world of photography. You’ll embark on a transformative journey that will enable you to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives through your storytelling with your pictures.

This hands-on, professional degree emphasises practical learning, pushing you beyond the classroom with frequent, relevant practical photographic assignments to enhance your skills.

The innovative approach to teaching means that you’ll spend more time taking photographs supported by extensive opportunities for personal feedback and development in every practical module.

You’ll be challenged to develop your passion whether that be in news, documentary, sport, street, landscape, or any photographic practice you can imagine. We want you to become the photographer you want to be, not who anyone else thinks you should be.

Based at our vibrant Creative Campus, you’ll join with students from all of the creative arts to create a tight-knit community that thrives on shared passion for creation. Collaborate and embark on impactful projects that will launch your photographic career.

This course is available to study with an integrated foundation year. If you don’t meet the stated entry requirements or you’re returning to education, it could be a great option that enables you to study this course. Select the ‘With foundation year’ study type from the options at the top of this page to apply.  

You’ll have opportunities to undertake work placements throughout the course. Recent destinations include Magnum Photos New York, The Michael Hoppen Gallery, The Daily Mail, South West News Service, Getty Images and The Sunday Times. 

You’ll benefit from our strong links with media professionals – our course network has links with organisations such as PA Media, The British Press Photographers’ Association, the Association of Photographers and the Martin Parr Foundation and offers you the chance to undertake annual trips to Paris Photo, Tokyo and Berlin. 

Graduates move into a range of roles, both employed and freelance including for Getty Images, The Press Association, Mercury Press, South-West News Service, the Tate, The Walt Disney Company, Saatchi and Saatchi, and Sony. 

Other roles include forensic medical photography for the NHS, teaching, and exhibition roles at the Imperial War Museum North.