MA Commercial Photography

This practice-based course is designed to develop the commercial, technical and creative skills to support a career within the commercial photographic industry. Your coursework will be comprised of a self-initiated project in relation to your individual subject interests, as well as live briefs set by staff. Collaborative projects will allow you to develop a substantial body of work, and enable you to embark upon your chosen area of commercial practice.

Our Photography staff have expertise across a wide range of specialist photographic practices, and will support with you with flexible and responsive teaching and learning.

Key features

• Develop a project tailored to your own personal interests and career aspirations
• Choose to develop a specialised practice, for example fashion, advertising and editorial, or documentary photography
• Undertake an industry work placement or live project, in the UK or overseas
• Enjoy technical and production workshops to help develop your existing skills
• Have the opportunity to exhibit your work publicly
• Benefit from our staff’s international links and contacts across Europe
• Take advantage of our excellent industry links, including companies such as Phase One, Genesis Imaging, Profoto, Wex Photographic, and Red Photographic

How you’re taught

Teaching and learning experiences may include:

• tutorials
• lectures
• workshops
• live projects
• work placements
• support in out photography facilities
• self-directed learning

Assessment

Assessment is 100% based on coursework and includes:

• a learning agreement
• a reflective journal
• a work-based learning report
• a verbal presentation
• a contextual essay
• an annotated bibliography
• a body of photographic work

Career Prospects

Students from this course may become:

• freelance photographers
• photographic assistants
• digital specialists
• fashion, editorial and advertising photographers
• picture editors
• multiplatform photojournalists

Our aim is to produce highly employable graduates, and we are committed to offering experiences throughout the course that will enhance your understanding of the photographic industry.

The University’s Employability team can help to prepare you, offering a variety of activities including CV-building, writing job applications, preparing for interviews, and building your own personal brand.