Our Photography: Editorial and Advertising BA (Hons) course scored 95% for both teaching and academic support and 98% for learning opportunities in the National Student Survey 2024.
What is Editorial & Advertising Photography? Well, it’s everywhere you look.
Editorial photography tells a story, it is created to inspire, engage and inform the audience. It’s in magazines, in print or online, it’s content creation for social media, Instagram, tiktok, blogs, behind the scenes photography for Films, TV and Brands.
Advertising photography promotes, sells, raises awareness for Brands, products, services, charities and organisations, in print, magazines, posters, sides of buses, and everywhere online, from social media to banner ads.
Our graduates get great jobs. 96% are in work and 88% of those are in highly skilled positions using what they learnt on the course, 15 months after graduating. (Graduate Outcomes Survey, published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers)
You will become part of our mutually supportive ‘Ed&Ad Photo’ community that works across year groups, courses and has a fantastic network of alumni all there to encourage the development of your creative and academic practice.
Our students create photography and moving image, for everything from fashion to food, sports to automotive, music to still life, portraits to interiors, so whatever your interests we will help you develop your creativity and learn how to apply this professionally.
Our graduates become successful freelancers and get jobs in photography and the wider creative industries.
Check out our Instagram @edandadphoto to see what our students do and listen to some IG chats with students and graduates of our course.
‘The course is industry focused and fosters entrepreneurship and professional working practices. The curriculum content promotes diversity and ethical working practices.’
2021 External Examiner report, Editorial & Advertising Photography.
Banner Photos: Callum Spicer, Mari Russell, Daisy Kent, Luke Rodham, Zoe Simmons, Megan Atkins, Eden Watterson, Milly Muxsworthy, Paulina Kortarska, Alex Eveleigh, Sammie Palmer, Michael Urbansky, Jimmy Fletcher, Jade Fisher.
Throughout the three years you will meet and hear from many visiting speakers; people who create photography, commission photography and promote photography. Many of whom are graduates of our course, which is particularly inspiring for you, so you can see where your own journeys could lead.
In your first year you’ll learn many new photography skills, using the three professionally equipped photography studios and on location. You will create moving image and still photography, you will develop retouching skills while discovering the subjects and styles you’re passionate about.
Year two is all about building your photography skills and creativity in a professional context. You’ll develop your online presence, website, Instagram etc in preparation for securing work experience matched to your areas of interest and career aspirations. You will create zines, photo books, moving image and have modules in which you can experiment and have fun exploring photography. With full access to our very well stocked Photography equipment stores you’ll be able to use everything from high-end medium format digital and roll film cameras to large format 5×4 and 10×8 cameras.
In your final year you’ll create your major project work, source your own commission and develop your business know-how. You’ll refine your online presence, take part in an individual professional portfolio review day with a panel of top industry experts. You’ll exhibit your work at your end-of-year degree show in Cheltenham and have the opportunity to exhibit in London these shows attracts creative employers from across the UK. You’ll learn everything you need to know about setting up as a freelance photographer and/or working as an employee.
Assessment includes photography coursework, reflective journals, portfolios, exhibitions and industry placements.
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’.
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
48 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.
Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.
Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).
Module information is not available for this programme.
You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.
| Start date | Location | UCAS code |
Fee (UK) Fee per year |
Fee (international) Fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | W640 | £9,535 | £17,425 |
| Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | W640 | TBC | TBC |
|
International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. |
Find out more | |||
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 promisesWe have extensive global links with book and magazine publishing houses, galleries, advertising agencies, photography festivals and photographic events. Global brands we’ve worked with include Converse (China), Superdry (UK), Specialized (US) and Lululemon (Canada).
Placement opportunities have included working at magazines and newspapers such as InStyle, Mail on Sunday, The Guardian, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. Many students get commissions from their placement organisations while studying and move into full-time work with them on graduation. Students also gain valuable experience meeting and assisting photographers and exhibiting work in London, Milan, Paris, New York, London, Shanghai and Vancouver.
Career opportunities include professional photographer, film maker, videographer and social media content creator. Alternatively, graduates may choose to pursue a career as a photo editor, stylist, image re-toucher or photographic agent.
You’ll have the opportunity within the second year and third year to carry out work placements in many areas of the creative industries, in the UK or abroad.
We’ll help you find great placements through our excellent contacts and reputation in the industry, and a fantastic community of alumni who are always willing to welcome current students.
Our Photography: Editorial and Advertising BA (Hons) course scored 95% for teaching in the National Student Survey 2024.
Our Photography: Editorial and Advertising BA (Hons) course scored 95% academic support in the National Student Survey 2024.
Our Photography: Editorial and Advertising BA (Hons) course scored 98% for learning opportunities in the National Student Survey 2024.
Our Photography: Editorial and Advertising BA (Hons) course scored 98% for assessment and feedback in the National Student Survey 2024.
Through our extensive connections, you’ll have exciting opportunities to work on live briefs from top global brands such as Converse, Specialized and Superdry. You can also exhibit your work abroad in locations such as Shanghai and Vancouver.
Stay up to date with the very latest updates from Photography: Editorial and Advertising by visiting our course blog.
You’ll hear from our lecturers, see examples of student work and find out what some of our recent graduates have been up to.
In Editorial & Advertising Photography we understand what thoughts and questions you may have about investing your time and money in studying a Photography degree.
Those why, what, how, where, when questions.
What do students do after graduating, do they get jobs? – What’s it like being a student on our course? – What do they do and how do they do it? – What are the Halls like? – Will I fit in? – What’s it been like during lockdown?
We’ll talk about all of this and more on ‘INTO, THROUGH & BEYOND’ on IGTV.
Explore and collaborate with creatives from across the spectrum. We offer the perfect environment to practice your craft and prepare you to graduate career-ready.
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.
Reece is a Photography: Editorial and Advertising Graduate.
“My course leader saw me as an individual, not just a number. Plus, the equipment and studios are second to none – you won’t find that anywhere else so make the most of it!”
Reece has photographed Liam Gallagher, Ed Sheeran, Angelina Jolie and Trevor Noah to name a few. He now travels the world as the ingredient’s photographer for Lush Cosmetics.
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