Student holding a camera

What You Will Study

Examples of some of the units you may study are:

  • The creative process: It is often said that artists and designers follow a creative process when producing their work. This can start with inspiration and include elements of research, experimentation, and refinement, ending with the final realisation. Often artists and designers will use these activities to develop their own ways of working as they explore and cultivate their creative practice.
  • Professional equipment: Learning how to capture light using professional cameras on manual settings as per industry standards. You will be taught how to use these on location as well as in a purpose-built photographic studio. In addition, you will be taught how to use all the equipment the accompanies a professional photographer including: lighting, tripods, reflectors, mobile flash units, studio flashes, diffuses and props.
  • Analogue photography: working in the photographic darkroom in order to learn the timeless methods of manual photographic production. Using chemical based analogue photography in our custom-built dark room.
  • Post-production skills and image manipulation using industry standard software; Adobe Photoshop and Light room and other Adobe products.
  • Art and Design skills: Students will engage with large variety of photography and mixed media skills taught by discipline specialists in order to creatively adapt your photographic work and learn skills in which to produce high quality and unique final outcomes.
  • Contextual awareness: Introduction on the importance of research into contextual influences, a professional skill that enables photographers in both in all photographic fields to ensure production of the highest quality of innovative photography.
  • Professional Practice.
  • Visual language and communication.
  • How You Will Be Assessed

    You will be continually assessed by your tutors throughout the academic year, and an external moderator will verify and confirm your final grades.

    Year 1:

  • Entry Requirements

    4 GCSEs at Grade 9-4, including English or Maths.
    OR
    4 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 and Level 2 in either English or Maths.
    OR
    Successful completion of Level 2 or equivalent at Merit Grade, plus GCSE English or Maths at Grade 4 or Level 2 English or Maths.

  • Further Study

    On completion with the appropriate pass and English and Maths grades you can progress through the levels. Students may wish to progress onto higher education on completion of the study programme. Universities offer a wide range of specialist photography courses. You could progress to an HND in Photography here at Wakefield College. Options for your progression will be discussed as part of your tutorial sessions and applications will form part of the second year of the programme for those wishing to apply.

    Higher Education Creative Industries BA (Hons) is a top-up course designed for those who have an interest in the particular production-based strands of the industry and who already hold a Foundation Degree, a Higher National Diploma or an equivalent higher-level qualification in an appropriate subject. This is a new course subject to validation.