University To Go…

Bolton University : Photography

The MA Photography course focuses on the fields of international photojournalism, documentary and travel photography and is designed in particular for postgraduate students who wish to develop their knowledge and skills to pursue a career in these areas.

You will explore issues of photographic culture, image economies and visual representation and develop an understanding of how the practice of making photographic images is affected by these issues in terms of both your approach to the subject and the style of your photographs. You will apply your learning through a series of practical assignments.

The course is designed to be accessible to professional photographers and photo educators studying part-time as well as those wishing to study full-time and complete in a single year.

chool	School of Arts, Media and Education (SAME)
Award	MA
MAS code	0118-D (UK)
How to apply	Please apply directly to the University of Bolton using the standard university application form. Please give one reference in section 11 – and the details of a second referee in section 12. Please visit our ‘how to apply for a taught postgraduate course’ web page for details.
Mode of attendance	Full-time
Duration	1 year
Start dates	September
Entry requirements (typical offer)	You should have one of the following: at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1) in photography; or at least an upper second class honours degree in any subject and significant professional experience in the industry; or at least an upper second class honours degree in a related subject with a major project in photography. Special consideration will be given to candidates who do not have these qualifications but who have significant experience in the field of photography and are able to present a strong portfolio as part of their application. You will be required to present a portfolio of photography and examples of written work, to be discussed/assessed at interview, demonstrating your suitability and aptitude for the course. After your application has been received you will be contacted for an interview for which you will be required to present a portfolio and examples of written work. At interview you should bring: i) a physical or electronic folio of your work; ii) a copy of your final BA dissertation or other research. We are looking for you to demonstrate a clear style and commitment to the area of study. Please edit the folio down to around 20 pictures including at least one picture story. You will be required to show original copies of your highest qualification certificate before starting the course. If English is not your first language you will need a recognised English language qualification at the appropriate level for this course, i.e. IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Awarding body	University of Bolton
Location	University of Bolton: Deane Campus, Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB

The course is delivered through a combination of intensive workshops and online teaching reflecting communication methods used in the modern industry. The programme is supported by group discussions, seminars and individual tutorials.

You will carry out assignments in the areas of photojournalism, documentary and travel photography for the first two modules then specialise in one of these areas for the final module.

The full-time course is one year in duration which is divided into three terms.

In term one you will consider a range of practical and ethical issues that have an impact on the practice of photography by researching four research questions. You will explore these issues through readings, lectures, discussions and practical assignments.

In the first half of term two, you will plan for two picture stories, one travelogue and one issue based, which you will then go on to shoot in the second half of the term. This work will be based on a further four research questions. At the end of term two, you will edit and discuss your projects with professionals, peers and tutors leading to preparations for continuing one of the two projects into term three.

In your final term you will have 10 weeks to expand your work in progress into a substantial body of work with ‘The Book’ module in which you will have the opportunity to develop a photographic book on a personally researched theme. You will negotiate a learning contract with your tutor from which the final project will be assessed.

You will gain a critical understanding of the key issues in contemporary photography and how these affect the process of making images, specifically in the fields of photojournalism, documentary and travel photography.

The type of issues you will study include image libraries and the commercialisation of the photo market, the changing nature of picture news gathering and photojournalism, issues of ethics and social responsibility in photography and the importance of meaning and context in photo images. The insight you gain from this study will inform your approach to taking photographs.

You will study the work of contemporary practitioners in these areas of photography and the relationship between their work and the markets they supply.

In addition, you will develop an appreciation of the practical requirements of planning, research and preparation for photography assignments.

Entry to the course is based on the assumption that you are a technically proficient photographer. It is important to note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the technical skills to complete the practical work.

You will study five modules for the MA Photography.

Photography, Cultures and Representation (2 modules). These modules are studied in term one and cover: Research and Study Skills for MA; Photographic Culture – theories of visual representation, the influence of the photographer on the photograph, cultures and photography; Photojournalism – image economies, photography and ethics, the image and development, practical engagement in storytelling through photo essays.

Travel, Photographic Documentaries and History (2 modules). These modules are studied in term two and cover: Photography and Travel – histories of photographic journeys, relationships of the image to the travel industry, practical engagement in photo travelogues; Documentary Photography – critical engagements with histories of photography, practical and theoretical studies of photographic archives, photography and social memory

Your study on these modules is based on eight research questions, four for each module. These questions may vary slightly from year to year. Visit our ‘research questions’ web pages to see a list of the research questions for last year.

‘The Book’ module will give you the opportunity to develop a photographic book on a theme you have researched.

Visit our ‘staff profiles’ web pages for more information about the tutors who will be teaching on the course.

For both aspiring and practicing photographers, the MA in Photography will enable you to understand and interact with international image markets.

The degree is specifically aimed at equipping you to work in different cultures and publish your work in a range of domestic and international publications.

The course will also provide opportunities for you to progress to a career in photographic education or continue into further study at research degree level.

Studying this course will also help you to develop a number of career-enhancing skills in addition to your subject specific knowledge and understanding. These include: interpersonal skills; research skills; oral and written presentations skills; independent working; and time and project management skills.

On graduation you will automatically become a member of the University’s alumni association, gaining access to a wide range of the University’s facilities, including the library, journals and periodicals, as well as professional and employment advice throughout your career.

Chester University: Photography

This exciting and dynamic course of study emphasises the each student’s individual approach to making photographic images supported by guest lectures from international photographers, artists, writers and curators.

The Photography programme at Chester is embedded within the Department of Fine Art within the Faculty of Arts and Media.

The cross-flow of ideas between Photography and Fine Art is essential to the outlook of the programme, which draws in all other aspects of the medium including documentary, fashion and everyday uses of the medium from family albums to postcards and found photography.

Students consequently have access to other art production facilities and teaching contact across the Department of Fine Art. The course also advocates a meeting of practice and theory, which is accessible to all levels of ability.

The Photography programme at Chester is taught by practicing artists, writers and curators with national and international reputations. This creates a learning environment which stimulates creative practice where the student is encouraged to explore all aspects of art photography.

At the same time the course programme draws in all aspects of photography including documentary and fashion; we also have a particular interest in interdisciplinary and experimental practices including artist’s books and ephemera.

The programme also relates photographic practice to other areas of study, whether popular culture, cinema, sociology and psychoanalysis. The city’s proximity to the cultural capitals of Liverpool (40 mins), Manchester (1 hour) and London (2 ½ hours) by rail provides access to important archives, galleries and museums.

UCAS points:	A minimum of 240 UCAS points, of which 200 points must be obtained from GCE A Levels, including a grade C in Art & Design, Fine Art, Photography or an Art-related subject. The remaining points may be achieved from GCE AS Levels, or from Level 3 Key Skills.
BTEC:	BTEC National Diploma/Certificate (Art & Design): merit/distinction profile
Irish/Scottish:	Irish Highers/Scottish Highers: B in 4 subjects, including Art
International Baccalaureate:	24 points, including 4 in Visual Arts
QAA:	QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma (Art & Design), Open College Units or Open University Credits
Extra Information:	Please note: A BTEC National Award, OCR National Certificate, GCE A Level General Studies, or the Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer. OCR National Extended Diploma/Diploma: (Art & Design): merit/distinction profile The Advanced Diploma: acceptable in combination with GCE A Level Art & Design, Photography or an Art-related subject

University Or NOT??

Had a major talk about wheter university is wright choice for me after i finish here in college. So in class we were descusing how university has both positive and negatives to students who are looking in to going. Me myself couldnt really thing of many negatives to going to university as that i have been waiting for my chance for a long time now, and i basically can’t wait.

The negatives that i came up with were…

**Debt, Traveling Exspences, Leaving Home or Moving Home, Taking Time Out and finally Funding.

Where-as the positives of going to university were…

**Social Experience, Better Qualifactions, More Job Opertunitys, New Skills, Independance, Practicle experience, Contacts in The Industry, Portfolio Widening and even more proffesional experience.

After all this thinking and descusing over university i finally came up with a figure of like i’m 90% positive that i will be going to university,providing i get my targeted grades, because after-all all the negatyives can become positives just like the positive can become negatives…