What is Editorial & Advertising Photography? Well, it’s everywhere you look.
Editorial photography is about creating stories. It’s in magazines, in print or online; it’s content creation for social media, Instagram, TikTok, blogs, and 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.
You’ll become part of our mutually supportive photography and creative community that works across year groups, courses and has a fantastic network of alumni all there to encourage the development of your creative practice.
Our students create photography and moving image, for editorial and advertising clients from fashion to food, studio to automotive, music to still life, portraits to interiors, so whatever your interests, we’ll 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, Photography (Editorial & Advertising).
Throughout the three years of this course, you’ll meet and hear from many visiting speakers; people who create photography, commission photography and promote photography. Many of them are graduates of this course, which is particularly inspiring, as it shows where your own journeys could lead.
In the shared first year you’ll learn many new photography skills, using our professionally equipped photography studios and on location. You will create moving image and still photography, you will develop skills relevant to your chosen area of photography while discovering the subjects and styles you’re passionate about.
Your second year is about building your skills and creativity. You’ll develop your online website, Instagram etc in preparation for securing work experience matched to your areas of interest. You will create zines, photo books, moving image and have modules in which you can experiment and explore photography. With access to our photography equipment store you’ll be able to use everything from high-end medium format digital and film cameras to large format cameras.
In your final year you’ll create your major project, 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, which attracts creative employers from across the capital. You’ll learn everything you need to know about setting up as a freelance photographer or working as an employee.
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).
You must have a minimum of five subjects at GCSE grade 4/C or above, to include English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
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 | W649 | £9,535 | £17,425 |
| Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | W649 | 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, 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 have previously exhibited 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.
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.
Our awesome Ed&Ad Photo community extends way beyond the excellent staff and students to the many alumni who are incredibly generous with their time, knowledge, and networks, becoming mentors, offering work experience, giving talks, and employing graduates.
Our student-led Instagram features weekly take-overs by current students and graduates. @edandadphoto
You’ll learn how to communicate, negotiate and collaborate; key attributes for creative enterprise and employability. Working on live briefs and responding to the needs of industry keeps the course creative, relevant and fun. In the 2024 National Student Survey (NSS), 3rd year students rated the course 100% for ‘The course challenges me to achieve my best work’, ‘The chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth’, and ‘How well teaching staff supported my learning’.
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.
Our position in Cheltenham’s new ‘Creative Campus’ at Park allows you to work and engage with many other creative professionals in areas such as Film and Television, Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation and gives you the chance to form long lasting creative collaborations.
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.
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