Skip navigation

Photography

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Derby

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Challenge conventions, take risks and be imaginative on this well-established and renowned photography degree. You’ll become a highly creative and technically experienced photographer.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
We have over 50 years’ experience of teaching photography and have built up a reputation for excellence. You’ll have access to facilities that many experienced professional photographers dream of, including the latest high-spec cameras, extensive photographic studios, black and white and colour darkrooms, film processing facilities and dedicated digital suites.

IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU?
If you think you have it in you to be a brave and inventive photographer, who’s not afraid to learn from your failures, then you belong on this photography degree.

HOW YOU WILL LEARN
You'll learn through a combination of technical workshops, lectures, seminars, group discussions, group critiques and individual tutorials. You will also hear from high-profile visiting professors and go on regular gallery visits.

OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES.
You and your work will be highly visible. You’ll have opportunities to complete genuine work for clients and go on placements or study visits to organisations like the Association of Photographers, The Observer newspaper, Derby Museum and Art Gallery and MAC Birmingham and Print Space. Some students win the right to exhibit at FORMAT, the international festival of photography and related media, staged in Derby.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY
Our photography graduates are visually literate, independent, confident and adaptable. The course also develops analytical, writing, oral communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, so you’ll be equipped for many roles in the photo-imaging sector. Past students have become artists, academics, teachers, curators, critics, commercial photographers, picture editors, and news and sports photographers.

Fund out more: www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/photography-courses/photography-ba-hons/

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • September 2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W650
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Derby has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W650
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
104 points

A level
BCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

Access to HE Diploma
D: 15 credits M: 24 credits P: 6 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

T Level
M

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We are committed to widening access to Higher Education and consider each applicant based on their whole profile and achievements prior to issuing an offer.

Where applicants do not meet the published criteria, we may apply some flexibility to enable them to study on their chosen course. Where this is not possible, we will offer an alternative course or a 4-year route if this is available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Related courses

At University of Derby

Like this page