Studying this subject, you'll see how photography has evolved – understanding its place in history and contemporary culture, alongside developing your technical and creative skills. Content is queen, so your photography skills will be in demand in our digital world. You could work freelance or as an in-house photographer with fashion brands, food and other retail companies, news and arts organisations, advertising agencies, catalogue companies, or many others. You could choose to specialise in an area like architectural or property photography, or qualify further to become a photographer for the police or the RAF.
The impact you could make
- Work on a photoshoot for one of your favourite sustainable fashion brands
- Become embedded with the British Army and travel the world taking photographs of British forces at work
- Specialise in pet photography and take portraits of our favourite furry friends
What you could study
- Photography and arts practices
- History and origins
- Visual culture
- Digital techniques
- Analogue and darkroom techniques
- Storytelling in photography
- Live briefs
- Portfolio building
- Fashion and design
- Advertising
Studying photography at Leeds Arts University
Find out about BA (Hons) Photography at Leeds Arts University, the only specialist arts university in the North of England.
Example module
"Recently we did a module where we had to experiment with different genres of photography, which was good because I made me try genres that I wouldn’t have tried, like fashion photography and commercial photography."
Second year photography student at Leeds Arts University
Example assignment
"I’ve done a project looking into the flower industry, photographing the impact it has on our environment."
Second year photography student at Bath Spa University
Subjects it's useful to have studied first
Some photography courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.
Photography
Art and design
Business
Graphic design
Hard skills you'll develop
- Composition
- Exposure control
- Image editing
- Photographic equipment
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communication
- Planning
- Sales
- Innovation
Careers: Where it can take you
Find out more about your career prospects from studying photography. The following information is based on a typical photographer, audio-visual, and broadcasting role.Available jobs
41,580 vacancies in the past year
6.76% growth over next eight years
Average salary
£26,293
Up to £49,371
Career options
Photography and design
Journalism
Photojournalist
Picture researcher
Videographer
Museums
Art buyer
What is a...photojournalist?
You may never have heard of a photojournalist, but they usually work for online or print news outlets, taking the photos that tell the story. You may need to travel to wherever in the world the news event is happening. As well as having an eye for capturing the people and places that tell the story, you’ll need to be resilient as you could end up covering events like war, famine, or the aftermath of natural disasters.
Find your ideal career
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study photography at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from photography applicants.
A Levels
BBC
Scottish Highers
ABBBB
Vocational
BTEC DDM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or an SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A Levels/Highers.
Portfolio
You may be required to submit a portfolio as part of your application
The expert view
Nick Dunmur, Photographer and Head of Business & Legal, Association of Photographers
Photographs are powerful, particularly those made by people, and learning to use visual language effectively to communicate your own or your client's message is incredibly rewarding and empowering. The sheer volume of imagery out there requires that photographers have the ability to really connect to an audience. If you like story-telling and problem-solving, then a career in image-making might be a good fit for you.
Creative and design apprenticeships
Check out our industry guide to see if a creative and design apprenticeship is right for you.Other subjects you may be interested in
Considering an apprenticeship?
Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a normal job. Here’s what you need to know:-
1
Deadline
Apprenticeships don't follow the same deadlines as applying to uni, the deadline is down to the employer. -
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Where to apply
You apply directly through the employer. -
3
No limits!
You're not restricted to one apprenticeship application; you can do as many as you like. -
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Apply to university and apprenticeships
There's nothing stopping you applying to university through UCAS, while also applying for apprenticeship vacancies. -
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Find out more
Read our guide to creative and design apprenticeships.
A day in the life of a Video Production Apprenticeship
Take a look at a day in the life of a video production apprentice.
Apprenticeship vacancies
Check out live apprenticeship vacancies in creative and design.Explore further
Go deeper into topics around photography with the following.-
1
Love, Cecil
There are many documentaries about photographers on Netflix, Amazon, the BBC and other platforms, but why not start with this one about British photographer Cecil Beaton? -
2
The Photographers' Gallery
If you can, visit the Photographers’ Gallery in London, or go to an upcoming photo exhibition at an art museum, like the Tate Modern. -
3
Deconstructing the image
The Association of Photographers (AOP) has a YouTube series in which photographers talk about how they created certain pieces of work. -
4
Centre for British Documentary Photography
If documentary photography interests you, check out this website which features photos from many contemporary and historical moments in Britain.
Application advice
Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our application advice will help you get ahead in your photography journey.Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- As well as your portfolio, think of other ways you can show your passion for photography. You could critique a photographer you like, or a recent exhibition you’ve been to, or talk about books you’ve read.
- Show you understand the industry by giving an idea of what you might like to do. Mention any shadowing or work experience – even if that's taking portraits at a recent family wedding.
- What shows your initiative and that you’re a self-starter? Have you started a club at school, or designed a website for yourself or a relative?
- Illustrate your research skills by mentioning schoolwork, or topics you’ve investigated outside of school, such as the photographic history of your local area.
- Think about the technical side too. Maybe you've already developed your own photos, or you have a hobby doing crafts or coding.
