Skip to content
University of Gloucestershire
Undergraduate

Photography

BA (Hons)

Course options

Choose a study option:
Choose a start date:
Study type
Full Time
Course length
4 Years
Campus
Park, Cheltenham
UCAS Code
W642

Course overview

Express your creativity and communicate your ideas through photography. This broad-based photography degree will allow you to explore and develop expertise in a range of photographic genres that will enable you to turn your passion and creativity into a career path.

Our drama, dance and cinematics courses are ranked in in the top 20 in the UK for graduate prospects (on track) by the Complete University Guide 2025.

Studying and researching photography, you’ll develop unrivalled technical and artistic skills, using dedicated facilities including traditional wet darkroom processing labs, large studios and industry-standard computers, software spanning all forms of image manipulation and film, video and animation.

You’ll explore still and moving photography, exhibition work, installations and curation and produce a rich portfolio of work, research sketchbooks, exhibitions and essays.

You can find out more about the Photography staff and see student work on our blog.

You’ll learn from award-winning staff and work with prestigious brands. Lecturer Professor Richard Billingham is a Turner Prize-nominated artist and one of our highly-acclaimed staff.

This course is available to study with an integrated foundation year – an extra, introductory year at the beginning of the full degree. 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.

As well as an introduction to your subject, it will help you to develop valuable study skills, and communication, teamwork and problem-solving techniques, giving you the confidence and skills set you need to progress.

If you’re applying to study as an international student, an integrated foundation year can also support you to improve your English language skills alongside your studies.

To apply for this course with an integrated foundation year, select the ‘With foundation year’ study type from the options at the top of this page before clicking ‘Apply’.

Get Photography BA (Hons) course updates and hear more about studying with us.

Keep me updated

Entry requirements

    • 96 – 120 UCAS tariff points, CCC – BBB at A levels, MMM – DDM at BTEC, or a Merit in your T-Level.

      Entry to this course is by interview. Check out our Interview Guide to learn what to expect and help you prepare.

    • We welcome applicants with a pass in a relevant Foundation or Extended Diploma (Level 3 or 4).

    • English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.

    • This course is available with an additional integrated foundation year. This four year option has lower entry requirements – see below – than the other study type/s available.

      Typical offers
      32 UCAS tariff points, EE at A levels or a PP in a  BTEC Diploma.

      To apply for the integrated foundation year degree, select the ‘With foundation year’ option from the study types listed at the top of this page before clicking ‘Apply’.

      See course overview for more information about the interated foundation year option.

    • We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.

Course modules

Loading...

Fees and costs

You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Start date Location UCAS code Fee (UK)
Fee per year
Fee (international)
Fee per year
Sep 2025 Park, Cheltenham W642 £9,250 £17,425
Sep 2026 Park, Cheltenham W642 TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

UoG Career promise

At UoG we create a climate for bravery and growth. We instil confidence in all our students, so you can graduate career-ready and meet your ambitions.

95% of our graduates are in work or further study*, but if you’re not in a job 6 months after graduating we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support, followed by the offer of a paid internship to kickstart your career – plus we’ll commit to lifetime career coaching. Eligibility conditions apply.

*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers

Discover our promises

Careers

We have strong international links with arts schools, universities, museums and collectives in Australia, USA, Canada, Bangladesh, India and the Netherlands. This includes Magnum in New York, Photoworks Magazine, Delhi Photo Festival, Paris Photo, Berlin Transmediale, Capture the Event (sports photography for 2012 Olympics), David Cook (food photographer), Clifton Cameras, Athens Community Arts and Hardwick Gallery.

Graduates from this course can go on to work in various areas of photography including studio, journalism, product, lifestyle, fashion, commercial and location photography. Other career paths include becoming a curator, a digital imaging specialist or an exhibiting/publishing specialist.

Work with famous brands and international projects

Work with prestigious brands such as Magnum in New York, Photoworks Magazine, National Geographic, Mead Gallery and Capture the Event (sports photography including 2012 Olympics). Visit international photo festivals, including Delhi Photo Festival, Paris Photo and Berlin Transmediale.

Students on the MA Photography course looking into a camera

Learn from a Turner Prize-nominated artist

Learn from award-winning staff. Richard Billingham is a world-renowned photographer, film-maker and artist who has been a Turner Prize nominee and winner of the prestigious Deutsche B’rse Group photography prize. His work has also been held in many major collections such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the V&A in London.

Trophy Icon

Top 20 in the UK for graduate prospects

Our drama, dance and cinematics courses are ranked in in the top 20 in the UK for graduate prospects (on track) by the Complete University Guide 2025.

Trips and experiences

You’ll have the opportunity to visit international photo festivals, including the
Delhi Photo Festival and Paris Photo.

Placements

As part of your course you can gain valuable experience on an optional placement year.

  • Duration – 12 months, full-time (minimum 35 hours a week)
  • Location – popular destinations include the UK, USA, China and Europe
  • Visa – you may need a visa if you’re on placement abroad
  • Finance – your tuition fee is reduced for your placement year – and you can still apply for a maintenance loan and get money advice
  • Placement support – we’ll help you find a great placement and get the most out of the experience

"I chose to study photography in this context as I always felt I wanted to use photography as an artist… I wanted my work rooted within that medium."

Former student, Felicity Hammond, has earned a number of high-profile accolades since graduating. She has been a nominee for the Saatchi New Sensations Prize and she won the RCA Metro Prize for her work ‘Restore to Factory Settings’. In 2016, she was showcased as part of the British Journal of Photography’s International Photography Awards.

Her work has been exhibited widely, including stints at the South Kiosk Gallery at Unseen in Amsterdam, at the Saatchi Gallery in London and at the Lowry in Manchester.

Felicity Hammond, Photography student

A girl in a colourful top poses for a photo

Keep Me Updated

Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch with Photography BA (Hons) updates, upcoming events and everything you need to know about university life.