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Photography BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Photography students working on a studio project

This course aims to support the development of independent, creative, critical and adaptable photographers with the professional skills to respond to an evolving industry.

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W640

Start date

September 2026

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Course overview

Are you passionate about photography and ready to develop your technical skills, creative ideas and critical eye? Explore your personal style and build a portfolio that shows your creative development and interests.

Experiment with a wide range of photographic techniques, materials and equipment.
Explore photography’s role in global communities and creative industries.
Develop into a confident, critical thinker ready to shape the future of photography.

A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Develop technical expertise in both analogue and digital photography.
Explore a wide range of genres, including editorial, commercial and fine art.
Create a distinctive photographic style and explore photography’s role in global cultures and visual storytelling across diverse contexts.
Access industry-standard studios, darkrooms and industry-standard equipment.⁴
Build a professional portfolio through real-world projects and exhibition opportunities.²

About the School of Arts and Creative Industries

Our learning and teaching mirrors the needs of the creative industries so you have the skills and attributes needed to become an industry specialist, leader and innovator.
Our studio culture seeks to ensure you are socially responsible in our creative community and develop critical thinking in research and making processes.
Our global initiatives aim to give you skills to become collaborative communicators and make you culturally competent.
Our current excellent industry links typically enable us to host an exciting programme of guest speakers covering topics such as commercial and advertising photography, book publishing and community participatory practice (subject to availability).
Past students have worked on projects such as exchange programmes with Australian students to develop exhibitions in globally recognised galleries.

Why study Photography BA (Hons) at Coventry University?

Graduate Showcase 2025

Check out what our School of Arts and Creative Industries students produced for their final projects to showcase at Coventry University's Graduate Festival.

Attended by hundreds of industry professionals, family and friends, across multiple weeks, our students' work was showcased at our very own Phoenix Film Festival, live performances from our theatre and music students and an on-campus exhibition.

What you'll study

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Fine Art BA (Hons)
Illustration BA (Hons)
Photography BA (Hons)

Modules

Creative Thinking – 30 credits

Unlock new ways of thinking by exploring the cultural and historical contexts that shape creative practices. Engage in thought-provoking debates, refine your ideas and discover how contemporary issues influence your work. Develop your ability to curate information, refine concepts and engage with emerging trends, all while considering your audience to create impactful, well-informed outcomes. The module introduces the history of the discipline while encouraging you to appreciate contemporary contexts, relate practice to context, debate and articulate your understanding and consider the needs of different audiences.

You should learn to:

identify how cultural and contextual factors influence project opportunities and outcomes
select and curate information to support the conceptualisation and refinement of audience-specific creative outcomes in creative practice
engage with emerging debates, information and observations to inform personal responses and directions.

Compulsory

Processes and Materials – 30 credits

Experiment with a range of approaches to your practice, expanding techniques, problem-solving and finding new materials and platforms to work with. Embrace both traditional and digital materials, taking risks to push boundaries and develop unique outcomes. Tackle real-world challenges, interpret briefs and refine your ideas through hands-on exploration, unlocking new ways of working and thinking that shape your creative journey.

You should learn to:

apply problem-solving capabilities to define, develop and refine creative ideas
recognise and respond creatively to real-world challenges within creative practice
engage with creative thinking techniques and experimental processes to develop personal understanding and practice.

Compulsory

Professional Contexts – 30 credits

Sharpen your ability to articulate your creative intentions and communicate effectively with others. Develop strong interpersonal skills while collaborating and negotiating with stakeholders, ensuring your ideas are clearly understood and refined. Archive and reflect on your project experiences, documenting your journey and personal growth, as you build the skills needed to thrive in professional creative environments.

You should learn to:

articulate intentions through a range of creative outcomes in creative practice
record and reflect on project experiences and activities in the development of personal practice
reflect interpersonal skills and capabilities when engaging with stakeholders, project negotiation and development.

Compulsory

Creative Practice – 30 credits

Explore creative making through a hands-on approach, tackling practical challenges with specialist techniques and processes. Develop innovative solutions while reflecting on how your practice aligns with industry standards and professional codes. Let your personal interests refine your ongoing projects and gain valuable insights into potential career paths and how to make your mark in the creative world.

You should learn to:

develop ideas and practical solutions through specialist making techniques and processes in creative practice
respond to practical challenges and reflect on their relative value in the context of your developing professional practice/codes of practice
reflect on and refine ongoing project work to embrace personal interests and recognise potential career aspirations.

Compulsory

Modules

Concepts and Approaches – 30 credits

Explore how photographs create meaning and how people interpret them in different ways. Look at where and how photos are made and used—from social media to galleries—and how this affects what they mean. Learn about key debates in photography today, including global and cultural perspectives and connect these ideas to your own creative work. Develop your research, writing and communication skills, helping you to think critically, engage with audiences and understand photography’s role in today’s creative industries.

Compulsory

Platforms and Publics – 30 credits

Explore the many ways photography can be published and shared today—from books and zines to online platforms and installations. Learn how publishing shapes the way audiences experience lens-based and time-based work and how to use these approaches in your own creative projects. Experiment, take risks, question assumptions and develop your ideas through testing and feedback. Upon successful completion of this module, you should be able to understand how to turn your creative work into meaningful, real-world publications.

Compulsory

Culture and Place – 30 credits

The relationship between our identity and the cultures and places we inhabit is a significant area of photographic practice. How we create, consume and interact with visual culture has an impact on who we are and how we understand our place in the world. Examine concepts of identity and place, and your own sense of self as well as your approach to creative practice. This module emphasises practical decision-making, personal process reflection and documentation, effective teamwork and role allocation in projects, the sharing and presentation of ideas through discourse, and the practice of inclusive communication.

Compulsory

Photography Narratives – 30 credits

Explore the production of narrative forms, contexts and structures in photographic practice. Identify and develop areas of personal interest in the creation of work to clearly articulate visual themes, stories and concepts using a range of creative, analytical and practical skills. Focus on selecting techniques that align with creative intent, applying discipline-specific practices, exploring entrepreneurial approaches, reflecting on career goals and ambitions, and effectively responding to project briefs.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Independent Exploration – 30 credits

Conduct original, sustained, analytical research in your chosen area of practice and formulate a structured written response that demonstrates critical awareness of contextual concerns relevant to your discipline. Engage with critical frameworks to situate and guide your personal practice whilst refining your creative direction.

Compulsory

Critical Practice – 30 credits

This module focuses on the development of a project that encapsulates your self-defined practice interests. It aims to support your independent research and creative experimentation with the technical, theoretical and conceptual issues that inform the production of your work.

Compulsory

Professional Futures – 30 credits

Critically reflect on your employability, experience, skills and portfolio to prepare and plan for the achievement of your career goals after graduation. Identify your professional aims and individual career progression routes, ready to successfully present yourself and your portfolio in the local, national and international contexts you choose to work in. This module covers recording and presenting project activities, establishing team-working terms including roles and responsibilities, developing effective listening, contribution and leadership skills and mastering negotiation techniques for successful project collaboration.

Compulsory

Independent Realisation – 30 credits

Realisation consolidates your interests through self-guided practice founded upon a rigorous process of critical research and creative experimentation. Relate your practice to specific critical frameworks, discourses and debates, be aware of your position within your chosen field and produce work at a level commensurate with professional industry standards.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures 
seminars 
tutorials 
presentations 
group projects 
workshops 
practical studio sessions 
practical workshop sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course is assessed using methods that vary by module. These approaches are intended to prepare you for the complex and evolving contexts of professional practice.

Assessment methods may include:

artefacts
practical coursework
digital coursework
individual work
group work
live presentations / poster presentations
reports
projects
individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC
GCSE	GCSE English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards
BTEC	DMM
IB Diploma	28 points
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma, plus GCSE English at grade 4 / C or above

Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

South East Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Portfolio

You may be required to submit a portfolio via email or alternatively attend a showcase activity session or audition (as is appropriate for your course) which can be virtual or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites to send in your portfolio or attend these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Not available
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Coventry University has invested in superb arts facilities with Ellen Terry, Delia Derbyshire and the Tank forming your primary learning locations⁴.

All within a minute's walk of each other in the city centre you will have access to purpose built studios and a well-stocked Media Loan Shop. Here you can borrow an extensive range of specialist, professional equipment, including 4K and HD video cameras, DSLR cameras, tripods, audio equipment and lighting. Kit is allocated on a first come first served basis via the booking system which you will get to know well.

The course supports the development of a range of techniques and approaches with access to digital and analogue facilities and workshops. Our darkroom and processing facilities offer the opportunity to explore and experiment with film, cyanotypes and anthotypes.

television studio

Television Studio

Where applicable, you’ll have access to our on-campus TV studio The Tank, with its specialist TV studio equipment, including large cameras, mixing facilities and fibre-optic wiring throughout.

photography suite

Photography Suite

The photography suite is a superb facility that includes virtual drum scanning, photography studios, black-and-white print darkrooms, free black-and-white film processing, and a digital print bureau.

recording equipment

Media Loan Shop

As a student, you’ll have access to Coventry University’s specialist Media Loan Shop. This well-stocked facility offers an extensive range of specialist, professional photography and film equipment.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be equipped with the skills to:

demonstrate technical skills relating to a wide range of analogue and digital photography, and associated media equipment, platforms and processes
apply your photography skills creatively to a brief to a high standard of aptitude, demonstrating the appropriate breadth and depth of conceptual development
apply creative solutions to a brief, using technical means and appropriate application of materials, processes and technologies to develop a coherent body of work that reflects the particular characteristics of your own creative perspective
communicate themes and ideas about lens-based media clearly, analytically and comprehensively in visual, oral and written forms
apply critically informed knowledge of professional practice in photography, and the wider visual arts and media related fields
effectively organise and manage independent and collaborative projects and apply entrepreneurial skills in dealing with audiences, clients, consumers, finances, markets, sources and/or users.

Like all of our creative courses, Photography is very much practice-led and informed by research and critical thinking. Throughout your course, you will be encouraged to develop projects that enable you to determine which fields you wish to specialise in, while at the same time building a portfolio of work which will stand out from the crowd.

To celebrate your works of art, we produce a Degree Show exhibition every year. This is an important platform for graduates as professionals from across the industries of photography are invited to view the exhibition and receive copies of its accompanying catalogue.

Where our graduates work

Graduates from this course have gone on to work at photography companies such as Grain Projects, Multistory, Photomonitor, British Journal of Photography, NHS Wales, FORMAT Festival, Wellbeck Publishing, Cheshire Young Carers, Big Sky Studios as freelance photographers, visual artists, picture editors, curators, archivists, researchers, writers, gallery and museum educators, art therapists, and teachers.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Photography MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CASU033

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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