Documentary Photography and Visual Activism (Full-time) (BA Hons)
Our Documentary Photography and Visual Activism degree is the first of its kind in the UK. This programme will help you become a skilled documentary photographer and visual activist, encouraging you to re-evaluate and challenge the history and conventions of photography. You will learn to understand the power structures in photography and how to use them to tell powerful visual stories.
The course contemporises traditional and practical skills in documentary and photojournalistic work. We focus on photography as a social process rather than an individual one. You will become an advocate for the causes and social issues you care about most, fully engaging in the subjects that interest you.
Throughout your studies, you will be encouraged to collaborate with the local community and think about your role as an active citizen in a democratic society. We pay particular attention to the development of listening skills which allows students to tune into their distinctive and unique sonic voice.
Our course embraces photography in its broadest sense, using the latest technology to push the boundaries of what is possible and harness the potential of new digital media. You will also have opportunities to present your work in exhibitions, helping you to build industry connections and showcase your talent. The programme aims to prepare you for a career in documentary photography and visual activism, enabling you to contribute to social change through your art.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Tuition Fees 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our philosophy is centred on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and social engagement. We emphasise the ethical responsibilities of photographers, focusing on collaborative and community-oriented practices. We aim to develop your unique voice and technical skills, preparing you for a dynamic career in documentary photography and visual activism.
In your first year the focus is on developing your practical and technical skills to provide a foundation to investigate subjects of personal interest. Areas covered include:
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Traditional darkroom techniques
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How to use Adobe software packages
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Professional studio and location lighting techniques
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How to respond to set briefs
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How to combine both analogue and digital skills to create innovative outcomes
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The history of photography and visual culture theory
You will dive into the fundamentals of documentary practice and visual studies exploring different ways of thinking and perceiving, which will help you re-think photojournalism. Projects will include creating artist zines and participating in your first exhibition, laying a solid foundation for your future studies.
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Building on the skills developed in your first year, the second year is a time for further experimentation and collaborative working:
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Working in small groups to design and curate your own public exhibition
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Conceptualise and produce a photobook
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Have opportunities to undertake funded internships
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Become increasingly focused on developing a professional platform for your work (including: website/social media/exhibition strategies)
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Experiment with alternative darkroom processes
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Have the option to study a semester abroad
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Apply your research and critical analysis skills to a major project proposal
You explore modules like Visual Activism: Location & Curation and Exhibition 2.0 will allow you to explore visual activism and curation. You will also delve into publication and protest, learning how to use photography as a tool for social change.
(20 Credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
Your third year is about developing your professional portfolio and equipping yourself for a professional career in the creative industries after graduation. You will undertake advanced creative enquiry and develop an independent project that reflects your personal interests and professional aspirations. The major project will be the pinnacle of your studies, allowing you to showcase your skills and vision. This year is designed to prepare you for a successful transition into the professional world, culminating in a substantial body of work.
Throughout the course, you will learn industry-standard techniques and workflows, gain experience in various creative settings, and develop knowledge of employment opportunities within the digital media and creative industries sectors. You will also learn how to deploy your work on a wide range of platforms.
(20 credits)
(40 credits)
(60 credits)
Course Page Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
testimonial
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Facilities & Exhibitions
Facilities & Exhibitions
In addition to extensive traditional photography facilities and darkrooms, our digital provision includes a specialist colour-managed digital suite running the latest Adobe software. This includes high resolution Hasselblad film scanners, medium and large format portfolio and exhibition printing.
From 17 May to 8 June, our graduating students from our courses BA Hons Photography in the Arts and BA Hons Documentary Photography and Visual Activism will be exhibiting their completed works. View a sample of their portfolios here.
Documentary Photography Gallery
Ada Marino
Derek Hughes
Jack Winbow
Lucy Beckett
Sarah Grounds
Further information
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The Documentary Photography and Visual Activism course is open to those with an interest in the media, politics and social change; some previous knowledge of photography is advantageous but not essential.
We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design, and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. To assess student suitability for their chosen course we arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your portfolio of work.
Our standard offer for a degree course is 120 UCAS tariff points. We expect applicants to have a grade C or above in English Language (or Welsh) at GCSE level, together with passes in another four subjects. Plus we accept a range of Level 3 qualifications including:
- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, plus one GCE A-Level in a relevant academic subject
- Three GCE A-Levels or equivalent
- UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
- UAL L3 Applied General Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
- UAL L3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.
- UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology.
- BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject
- International Baccalaureate score of 32
- Other relevant qualifications can be considered on an individual basis
Qualifications are important, however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. If you don’t have the required UCAS points then please contact the courses admissions tutor or email artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk as we can consider offers to applicants based on individual merit, exceptional work, and/or practical experience.
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Assessment varies according to the module and ranges from portfolios, exhibitions, written assignments and blogs to presentations.
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Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, and printing.
Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.
A basic art and design kit will cost approximately one hundred pounds, but you may already have much of the equipment required: check with us first. Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to use for your coursework, you may wish to bring your own digital devices. Again, please check with us first before making a purchase.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately ten pounds to visit local galleries and exhibitions to over two hundred pounds for overseas visits — these costs cover things like transport, entry to venues and accommodation, and are normally at reduced rates for our students.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
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Visit Go Global with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø for more information about studying abroad.