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Vocational & T Level

UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (Photography Pathway) Level 3

Subject Area
Art & Design
Start Date
September 2025
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Level
Level 3

Have you always been interested in photographing your surrounding environment in a creative way, capturing a portrait that reflects the personality of the model, documenting events, using your camera in experimental ways, or maybe even had an interest in exploring analogue photography and developing your images in the dark room? Then this is the course for you.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths. The Art & Design Diploma Level 2 qualification at Merit grade will also be considered as part of the entry requirements. You will be invited to show a portfolio of your art and design work at your guidance discussion.

What will I study?

This is an exciting course made up of inspirational projects which integrate many different approaches to Photography. There are live briefs set by companies and industry professionals and workshops which will teach you a wide range of Photography skills, allowing you to explore many pathways within the specialism. You will be taught a variety of creative techniques and processes in art, design and photography. Coursework will include the use of camera equipment, studio work, computer software presentation skills, bookmaking, building a portfolio and a digital sketchbook of creative ideas and personal project work.

We have an excellent staff team who cover a wide range of specialisms on this exciting, fast moving course. Through projects and experimental workshops, you will experience a variety of new photographic processes to broaden your own visual experience within the following areas:

  • Using SLR and analogue cameras.
  • Working in a photography studio
  • Editing images digitally, using a range of Adobe software. 
  • Developing skills in cinematography and film making. 
  • Exploring a range of presentation techniques including bookmaking.

You will work in a purpose-built Photography studio and spend time in a photography dedicated Apple Mac suite using state-of-the-art computers to develop your skills in digital imaging and working out creative ideas. You will also have access to a brand new Photography darkroom with black and white film processing and printing facilities to further develop ideas around the basics of photography as well as it being an art form in itself.

Throughout the programme there are educational visits to galleries, workshops, museums, exhibitions and places of specific interest to extend your awareness of the wide range of contemporary creative activity.

At the end of the course you will work on a Personal Project in a specialist area, which will be exhibited in the Creative Show for parents, practitioners and VIPs.

Additional costs

There is a £30 cost for a mandatory Art Kit to enhance students learning through the availability of additional resources. More details will be provided at Guidance Discussion and enrolment.

Method of delivery

You will typically be in college three days per week which will also include any GCSE English or Maths resits you may need to undertake - you cannot undertake both GCSEs at Level 3. In-College delivery is supported by online resources and potentially trips and visits to support primary research within project work. The course is designed in three stages: An Induction stage to the different processes in Photography, followed by a Project to put these elements into practice and culminating in a Final Major project for year 1.

The second year of the course is similar in structure to year one but is designed to give you more independence within your project work and your Final Major project is negotiated. The course helps you build on prior knowledge as well as developing strong independent learning skill to equip you for your next progression step.

How will I be assessed?

All the course is internally assessed. There is continuous assessment of your portfolio of project work, with feedback on your progress in one-to-one tutorials as well as a final major project with a new and exciting theme each year.  You will be able to showcase your Final Major Project in Year two at the end of year Creative Show.

Good course combinations

This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.

Your next steps

You can go directly into employment or continue to higher education at universities throughout the UK. 

Past students have successfully completed creative degrees at Chelsea school of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Leeds Arts University, and other prestigious universities.

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