Arts University Bournemouth
UCAS Code: W640 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Higher
Scottish Highers – five passes at Grade C or above
T Level
UCAS Tariff
You may also need to…
Present a portfolio
About this course
**BA (Hons) Photography** at Arts University Bournemouth is a challenging and innovative course with a long-standing international reputation. Our comprehensive curriculum covers all aspects of photography, from technical proficiency to theoretical frameworks. You will gain hands-on experience in both traditional and contemporary photographic techniques, from film processing and darkroom printing to emerging digital imaging technologies. This technical knowledge is underpinned by an emphasis on critical thinking and contextual understanding, ensuring that your work is not only visually compelling but also intellectually engaging. Through lectures, workshops, seminars, and self-directed projects that emphasise experimentation, you will explore the historical, cultural, social, and ethical dimensions of photography, developing a well-rounded perspective that informs your creative practice.
You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, with expert technical support and guidance from specialist technicians. The course team, comprised of experienced educators and active practitioners with diverse expertise and professional insights, will guide you through the intricacies of photographic practice and industry standards. Within this structured and well-resourced environment, you are encouraged to freely explore your individual ideas and impulses. The course supports strong visual investigation and fosters a deep contextual awareness of photography as it relates to other disciplines.
Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to showcase your work in exhibitions, both within the university and at external venues. These exhibitions not only allow you to share your work with wider audiences but also help you develop essential skills in curating, presentation, collaboration and problem-solving. You will be well-connected with a network of industry professionals through guest lectures, artist talks, workshops, and professional practice units, offering valuable insights and practical experience. These opportunities enhance the curriculum, preparing you for a wide range of careers in the creative industries or further postgraduate study.
Notable alumni, such as Nick Knight and Wolfgang Tillmans, are known and respected for their creativity, critical thinking and ability to innovate within the creative industries. With our exceptional facilities, expert guidance, and abundant opportunities for professional development, you will be well-equipped to join them in turning your passion for photography into a successful lifelong vocation.
Throughout the three years, you will encounter various formats of scheduled teaching sessions, supplemented by supervised time in workshops or studios. The remaining time will be dedicated to independent study. Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based.
Assessment methods
Coursework and practical work
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Main Site - Arts University Bournemouth
Art, Design and Architecture
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Cinematics and photography
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Cinematics and photography
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Cinematics and photography
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£23k
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
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Course location and department:
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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