The Course
Be inspired by a stunning world of visual language and image-making on our photography degree course. You will join a vibrant creative community and experience a wide range of traditional and digital approaches to produce an impressive portfolio of work.
We welcome students with a broad range of interests and will empower you to develop your own photographic voice. In today’s industry it is vital you embrace broader practices. Photographers are increasingly employed across genres, from fine art and documentary to fashion and commercial work. This is an outward-looking course designed to maximise your employability or freelance success on graduation.
You will critically consider every aspect of this art form on the course, from the composition to the audience and post-production. You will work in industry-standard facilities using sophisticated lighting and camera equipment. Besides learning extensive technical skills, you will also benefit from enterprise and business skills including networking, mentoring, and work experience opportunities.
Internationally renowned speakers have engaged past students, including Martin Parr, David Brandon Geeting, Erik Kessels, Ewen Spencer, Haley Morris-Cafiero, Sohrab Hura, Julian Germain, Anouk Kruithof, Cristina De Middel, Guy Martin, Thijs Groot Wassink (WassinkLundgren), Simon Roberts and Kevin Cummins.
We place emphasis on international employability and collaboration, with previous study trips to Paris, Los Angeles, Berlin, Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York, plus day-trips within the UK and to the Format International Photography Festival in Derby. Educational visits can take various formats, including physical and virtual experiences.
The Structure
The course begins with a focus on developing your technical photography skills and historical and contemporary perspectives on photography. You will gain knowledge about iconic photographers and image impact while developing practical competencies across all aspects of photography, from lighting to photographic workflow.
Course Facilities
BA (Hons) Photography students will use dedicated lighting studios and have access to a wide range of professional camera and lighting equipment for studio and location work. Digital print resources enable professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing. We have large format (up to A0) printers which are capable of printing over a metre wide, and negative scanners allow professional quality film scanning at both large format, medium format and 35mm.
Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses including: image creation, scanning, editing and manipulation. All our suites use equipment consistent with that used in the creative workplace. A purpose-built specialist library is open to all students and includes Digital Collections to enhance the learning experience, and special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.
BA (Hons) Photography
Virtual Tour
Study Abroad
Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.
Accolades
Students have won a raft of international awards and gained industry attention, including:
An alumnus had a book published by RRB Books with a foreword by Martin Parr 2022
Two alumni were selected to work with acclaimed photographer Hannah Starkey on a professional development programme through The Hepworth 2022
Winner of the Signature Art Prize 2021
Student work was selected for the cover of Fresh Eyes Talents 2021
Student work was selected for Prix de la Photographie Paris 2019
Career Opportunities
Graduates have gone on to work as freelance photographers, for agencies, in galleries and curating, and in post-production. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study.