Practical: Involves the acquisition, development and refinement of technical, conceptual, communication and problem-solving skills and their application to the production and function of photographs within particular contexts.
Theoretical/Contextual: Includes the knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary issues and debates within and around photography and visual communication and the development of an ability to integrate a critical and analytical approach within an informed photographic practice.
Professional: Includes the knowledge and understanding of the historical, cultural and professional contexts within which photographers and visual communicators operate. This constitutes a body of specialist knowledge that includes vocabulary, professional awareness and a realistic sense of career options.
These three strands are central to our ethos and the delivery methods reflect our belief that practice, that is, photographing, is best when carried out in the context of learning, theoretical understanding and a critical questioning approach. At the same time, the problem-solving rigours of practice contribute to the development of an informed, self-critical and ‘playful’ photographer.
We base our strategies upon the recognition that our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences and bring with them a range of needs and expectations. We intensively target our resources in terms of staffing and facilities, at the earlier stages of the degree, so that students form an understanding and take on more responsibility for their learning as they progress through their studies.
Practical: Involves the acquisition, development and refinement of technical, conceptual, communication and problem-solving skills and their application to the production and function of photographs within particular contexts.
Theoretical/Contextual: Includes the knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary issues and debates within and around photography and visual communication and the development of an ability to integrate a critical and analytical approach within an informed photographic practice.
Professional: Includes the knowledge and understanding of the historical, cultural and professional contexts within which photographers and visual communicators operate. This constitutes a body of specialist knowledge that includes vocabulary, professional awareness and a realistic sense of career options.
These three strands are central to our ethos and the delivery methods reflect our belief that practice, that is, photographing, is best when carried out in the context of learning, theoretical understanding and a critical questioning approach. At the same time, the problem-solving rigours of practice contribute to the development of an informed, self-critical and ‘playful’ photographer.
We base our strategies upon the recognition that our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences and bring with them a range of needs and expectations. We intensively target our resources in terms of staffing and facilities, at the earlier stages of the degree, so that students form an understanding and take on more responsibility for their learning as they progress through their studies.
Assessment
You are assessed in this course by a range of different types of coursework and practical activities. The assessment task for each module will vary dependent upon its content but may include:
- A body of completed artwork/photography, professionally presented in the format required by the assignment, project or brief.
- Workbooks, blogs etc., documenting the process of generating, developing and resolving thoughts/ideas, and demonstrating the influence of research on practical work.
- Research books, folders, dossiers, etc. documenting the gathering, sorting and presentation of research material.
- Technical Exercises demonstrating your skills and competencies using particular equipment and/or techniques.
- Written essays or reports, in which you are exploring the contextual or professional background to a specific project.
- An individual or group seminar demonstration of you creative design process and solution.
You are assessed in this course by a range of different types of coursework and practical activities. The assessment task for each module will vary dependent upon its content but may include:
- A body of completed artwork/photography, professionally presented in the format required by the assignment, project or brief.
- Workbooks, blogs etc., documenting the process of generating, developing and resolving thoughts/ideas, and demonstrating the influence of research on practical work.
- Research books, folders, dossiers, etc. documenting the gathering, sorting and presentation of research material.
- Technical Exercises demonstrating your skills and competencies using particular equipment and/or techniques.
- Written essays or reports, in which you are exploring the contextual or professional background to a specific project.
- An individual or group seminar demonstration of you creative design process and solution.
Learning support
In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).
Additional support
Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
Feedback
Throughout the modules you take on your course you are provided with formative, developmental assessment opportunities, which are carried out in tutorial and production meetings. Feedback is usually provided to you orally, with a written record kept either by the tutor or by you. This is sometimes produced as the result of peer or self-assessment exercises.
All modules also included formal or “summative” assessment tasks and the grades from the formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.
Throughout the modules you take on your course you are provided with formative, developmental assessment opportunities, which are carried out in tutorial and production meetings. Feedback is usually provided to you orally, with a written record kept either by the tutor or by you. This is sometimes produced as the result of peer or self-assessment exercises.
All modules also included formal or “summative” assessment tasks and the grades from the formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.