Course Overview
Course summary
BA Photography offers a dynamic and comprehensive approach to the study of photography, combining creative exploration and technical expertise with critical thinking and professional skills. The course encourages students to develop a strong, individual creative voice by engaging with photography across a wide range of genres and practices, from fine art and documentary to fashion and commercial work.
At the core of the program is an emphasis on developing both conceptual thinking and practical skills. You’ll explore the medium as a tool for storytelling, communication, and creative expression, while also gaining hands-on experience in industry-standard studios and darkrooms. The course integrates historical and theoretical contexts to help you understand photography’s cultural and societal impact.
Our experienced tutors, who are leading practitioners and researchers, will support and guide you throughout your studies. Collaboration with other disciplines and professional development are key features of the course, preparing you for a career in today’s fast-evolving creative industries. Opportunities to exhibit your work and undertake live briefs and placements with industry partners provide invaluable real-world experience.
Graduates leave as innovative, critically engaged photographers equipped with the creative vision, technical proficiency, and professional confidence to thrive in diverse careers ranging from freelance photography to a wide range of related roles in the creative industries.
Top reasons to study with us
- Westminster is ranked 2nd in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025 for ‘Research Quality’ in Art and Design
- Fantastic location – you'll enjoy all the benefits of studying at our Harrow Campus – just a 20-minute tube ride from Central London, a global hub for the media and cultural industries
- Cutting-edge facilities: Our extensive photography and emerging media facilities provide you with everything you need to explore innovative practices, from cyanotypes to CGI
- Develop your creative production skills – work across a range of photographic mediums to establish a critically engaged and self-reflective creative practice
- Learn from high-profile experts in photography theory and practice, dedicated to photographic education
- Photographic pioneers – We’ve been teaching photography at our institution since 1839 – which makes us the first photography school in the world!
Course structure
The Photography BA and Fashion Photography BA begin with a shared first year, before branching into specialised pathways. These pathways, along with a variety of optional modules, provide you with the opportunity to customise your degree and expertise according to your interests and career objectives.
You can also choose to study an Elective, a selection of modules from across the whole University curriculum, which will allow you to enrich your academic journey.
You may choose to take an optional year-long paid internship or placement between years 2 and 3 or study abroad with one of our overseas exchange partners.
The following subjects are indicative of what you’ll study on this course.
You'll get a solid foundation in essential photographic techniques, theories, and concepts to form the basis for future learning. At the end of the first year, you’ll have the chance to rethink and switch between the Photography BA and Fashion Photography BA pathways if you choose.
Subjects of study include:
- Constructing Photographs
- Creativity and Collaboration
- Photography: Image and Idea
- Expanded and Immersive Photography
Options:
- Fashion Photography and the Street
- Photography in the Street: Documentary
Credit Level 4
You are encouraged to push the boundaries of your own photographic practice, to experiment and explore new ways of working, including video and emerging technologies, camera-less photography and alternative photographic processes. There will be the opportunity for work placements, group exhibitions, study abroad and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Subjects of study include:
- Developing a Photographic Voice
- The Self-Directed Brief
- Work-Based and Placement Learning
Options:
- Collaborative Practices
- The Networked Photograph
- CGI and Photography
- Photobooks, Magazines and Zines
- Videography
Credit Level 5
Between Years 2 and 3, you may undertake an optional year-long placement. If you take advantage of this option, you'll undertake an additional year-long Industry Placement Year module running parallel to your work placement, and your final degree award will be Photography with Professional Experience BA Honours.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a placement year.
You’ll focus on the production of two major pieces of self-directed visual and written work. You’ll work independently, supported by workshops, work reviews, individual and group tutorials, to produce a Research Project and a Major Photographic Project for public exhibition. The course will also support you in preparing for your career after graduation through the Professional Futures module.
Subjects of study include:
- Photography Major Project Research
- Photography Final Project
- Research Project
- Professional Futures
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
Graduates from the Photography BA are equipped to play a vital role in the various photographic industries, having developed practical, conceptual and theoretical skills to become independent thinkers, adaptable and flexible in their skills and with a sound understanding of the industry, its conventions, histories and future opportunities.
Many of our graduates go on to work as photographers and photographic artists, but equally, they pursue a range of careers within the broader photographic, technology and creative sectors, as designers, creative producers, magazine editors, museum and gallery curators, picture editors and researchers, teachers, and writers. Many also go on to postgraduate study.
Transferable skills
You'll gain the knowledge and experience to work in roles such as magazine editor, museum and gallery curator, picture editor, teacher and lecturer.
Industry links
We have industry links with impressive galleries and organisations including The World Photography Organisation, The Photographers' Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers
Industry partners
We have strong links within the photographic and creative sector in London and beyond, and the majority of our teaching staff are active practitioners across the different sectors.
We also have close relationships with our alumni and use these links to organise guest talks, work placements and job opportunities for our students.
Our industry partners range from The World Photography Organisation, The Photographers' Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum to well-established practitioners like Nadav Kander, Sarah Pickering, Broomberg & Chanarin and many more.
Previous guest speakers have included:
- Amak Mahmoodian
- Annette Kuhn
- Broomberg & Chanarin
- Clare Grafik
- Darren Harvey-Regan
- Jananne Al-Ani
- Lisa Barnard
- Max Pinckers
- Poulomi Basu
- Rut Blees Luxemburg
- Simon Norfolk Sian Bonnell
- Trish Morrissey
- Zelda Cheatle
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles such as:
- Commercial photographer
- Photojournalist
- Photographic artist
- Art director
- Post-production
- Videographer
- Studio manager
- Digital content creator
- Media & advertising professional
- Social media specialist
- Digital marketing producer
- Photography retoucher
- Magazine editor
- Museum and gallery curator
- Picture editor
- Picture researcher
- Teacher and lecturer
Graduate employment
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Autograph, London
- Lux Darkroom
- Oxfam
- Pinewood Studios
- Tate Modern
Graduates have found work placements and assisting opportunities at organisations including:
- Sunday Times Magazine | NME | BBC | Dazed & Confused
- Victoria and Albert Museum | The Photographers' Gallery
- Sony | Pureland Design | Next Level
- Sian Bonnell | Broomberg & Chanarin | Tom Hunter
- Nadav Kander | Perou | Sarah Pickering | Jurgen Teller | Massimo Vitali
- Millennium Images | The World Photography Organisation
Graduate success
Many of our course graduates are successful international photographers, including:
- Marcus Bohr - Since completing his PhD at Westminster, Marcus has embarked on a Visiting Fellowship at the Australian National University in Canberra
- Pio De Rose - Based in Italy, Pio’s work has been published in various magazines including Vanity Fair (Italy) and Æ – Another Escap
- Alessandra Chila - Based in London, Alessandra has worked as a fine art documentary and still life photographer
- Eleanor Farmer - Eleanor gained a role as Multimedia Project Manager at Oxfam, commissioning story-gathering assignments
- Ilan Godfrey - In 2012 Ilan was awarded the Ernest Cole Award for his work ‘Legacy of the Mine’ which was published simultaneously in the UK and South Africain 2013
- Laura Guy - Laura went on to undertake doctoral research at Manchester School of Art
- Espen Haslene - Espen is the creator of TUNDRA, a company producing illustration, animation and video for cinema and television
- Nicole Heiniger - Nicole is based in São Paulo, where she's worked on portraiture, beauty, advertising and high-end fashion photography
- Constanza Isaza - Constanza has participated in various group exhibitions and a solo exhibition in Medellín, Colombia. She also participated in artist residency programmes in Italy, Canada and the USA
- Holly Birtles - In 2011 Holly completed an MFA at The Slade School of Fine Art, which was the beginning of her ongoing project photographing and defacing portraits of operatic singers
- Jason Larkin - Jason has been widely published (including in the New York Times Magazine, the Monocle, and the National Geographic), and has collected a number of awards
- Isabelle Lesser - Isabelle is based in Phnom Penh where she has set up Asia Motion, Cambodia’s first photographic and video agency
- Sam Mellish - Sam has worked as a commercial, editorial and documentary photographer based in London. His clients include Red Bull and Vans
- Kit Oates - Kit went on to be a portrait and commercial photographer for magazines, NGOs and businesses, including Comic Relief, Salvation Army, and the Guardian/Observer
- Peter Watkins - Peter is a photographer living and working in London. He studied an MA in Photography at the Royal College of Art
- Chu Yinhua - Chu uses photography to explore different ways of seeing, treating the photographic image as a fragment frozen and extracted from the flow of time. Her work has been published in magazines and exhibited internationally
- Tereza Zelenkova - Tereza’s work is now in the Fotomuseum Winterthur and the Saatchi Gallery collections
- Jessica Klewicki Glynn - Jessica is an American photographer specialising in interior design and architectural photography
- Jan Stradtmann - Jan is a German photographic artist currently working in Berlin
- Stella Baraklianou - Stella has worked as a photographic artist and lecturer in photography at the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield
- Tina Remiz - Tina is a freelance photographer and journalist, specialising in reportage and portraiture
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Rachel Cunningham
Senior Lecturer
Rachel Cunningham is an artist and educator. She studied fine art at Middlesex University before working in the photographic industry for several years. She continued her studies with an MA in Photographic Studies from the University of Westminster and an MA in Contemporary Art Theory at Goldsmith’s College, University of London. Her photography practice explores the construction of myths through representation. She is particularly interested in myths created through photography, painting and literature. Her work has been selected for a number of exhibitions and is held in private collections both in the UK and abroad.
We provide an inspiring and supportive environment for students to develop their personal and creative photography practice. With hands-on support, you can explore both traditional and cutting-edge technologies, utilising our extensive facilities.
Course Team
- Professor David Bate - Professor
- Rachel Cunningham - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Teemu Hupli - Senior Lecturer
- Gavin Jack - Senior Academic
- Ulrike Leyens - Senior Lecturer
- Dr David Moore - Principal Lecturer
- Andre Pinkowski - Senior Lecturer & Year 3 Leader
- Ochi Reyes - Lecturer
- Dr Eugenie Shinkle - Reader
- Dr Lucy Soutter - Reader
Why study this course?
Fantastic London location
You'll enjoy all the benefits of studying at our Harrow Campus – just a 20-minute tube ride from London, a global hub for the media and cultural industries.
Develop your creative production skills
Work across a range of photographic and lens-based media to establish a critically engaged and self-reflective creative practice.
Specialist facilities
You'll have access to a suite of studios, dark rooms, print and finishing facilities and an extensive range of high-end digital imaging equipment.
Facilities
Six professionally equipped photography studios fully equipped with state-of-the-art Profoto Lighting and Colorama backdrop systems and supporting a fully tethered workflow.
Black & white and colour darkroom suites with De Vere and Durst enlargers.
Technician run film processing lab with latest computer controlled Colenta film processing machine.
High-end digital scanning and editing facilities including Imacon film scanner and workstations with industry standard Eizo monitors throughout.
Newly opened extensive Digital Print Studio offering Giclee printing up to B0 size.
Equipment Store with a huge range of photographic equipment for students to borrow, both digital and analogue from 5x4 and medium format film cameras to the flagship Phase One and Fuji medium format digital cameras.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM
- BTEC Diploma – DD
- Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combinations of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass – IB Pass
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
A maximum of 10 pages.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
Applicants should submit a portfolio of creative practical work that illustrates a range of skills, talents and interests within the photographic field. The portfolio should evidence creative engagement and project work. An interest in both photographic practice and photographic theory and a high standard of oral and written English is desired.
How should I structure my portfolio?
Please send portfolios digitally, ideally in a single PDF format, maximum 10MB. We are looking for ways in which you are thinking about photography as a creative tool, including your responses to other artists working with photography.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
We are looking for work that reflects your individual style and ideas, an ability to reflect on your own work and that of other artists, your creativity and enthusiasm for photography.
What happens next?
Your portfolio and application will be reviewed by one of the academic team and selected applicants will be invited for interview.
Top Tip from our course team
Be bold and creative. We know that not all applicants have specialised in photography so we are keen to understand how you might approach tasks and briefs when you join the course.
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
A maximum of 10 pages.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
Applicants should submit a portfolio of creative practical work that illustrates a range of skills, talents and interests within the photographic field. The portfolio should evidence creative engagement and project work. An interest in both photographic practice and photographic theory and a high standard of oral and written English is desired.
How should I structure my portfolio?
Please send portfolios digitally, ideally in a single PDF format, maximum 10MB. We are looking for ways in which you are thinking about photography as a creative tool, including your responses to other artists working with photography.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
We are looking for work that reflects your individual style and ideas, an ability to reflect on your own work and that of other artists, your creativity and enthusiasm for photography.
What happens next?
Your portfolio and application will be reviewed by one of the academic team and selected applicants will be invited for interview.
Top Tip from our course team
Be bold and creative. We know that not all applicants have specialised in photography so we are keen to understand how you might approach tasks and briefs when you join the course.
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
What our students say
Angela Crosti
Photography BA - 2022
The University of Westminster can open many doors for you. You are supported throughout your years of studying as well as once you have graduated. The tutors are always available to help you, the facilities are incredible, the library offers one of the best and more comprehensive collections of sources. All these aspects make it very difficult to leave this environment once you graduate!
Beth Theobald
Photography BA - 2022
The University of Westminster has opened my eyes to so many possibilities and different career paths that I can take. The current climate crisis and the need for long-term change were the key drivers behind my project, which was presented at the University of Westminster Degree Shows.
Nicholas Olawunmi
Photography BA - 2023
I chose the University of Westminster to pursue a career in photography. After thorough research on various universities, I found that Westminster offers excellent academic and disability support. Additionally, the university provides outstanding facilities that are essential for advancing my skills in photography.
Westminster Degree Shows
The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2024/25
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.
Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.
For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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