Photography in the Arts (BA)

Based in the Dynevor Centre for Art, Design & Media in Swansea‘s city centre, our Photography in the Arts programme provides an exciting platform from which to explore the unique and critical position that the still and moving photographic image occupies within contemporary culture at this exciting time.

The course encourages you to explore and challenge the conventions of contemporary photographic art practice.

Underpinned by historical and critical research, you will be encouraged to undertake an extensive, risk-taking enquiry into the possibilities of photography, with individual creativity and personal ambition at the core of the course’s philosophy.

The programme is predominantly self-directed and allows for a flexible approach to image-making in relation to both subject matter and technique.

This flexible approach reflects the evolving nature of photographic art practice, with photographers increasingly pushing the potential of the medium in unexpected and innovative directions.

You will be encouraged to explore ideas and develop skills applicable to contexts such as contemporary art, publishing, advertising, fashion, interiors, architecture and travel. To this end, the course enables you to position and critically articulate your work in relation to your audience and the wider cultural context.

Year One – Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)

• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Exhibition 1.0 (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Fugitive Testimonies (20 credits; compulsory)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Photographic Art Practice (20 credits; compulsory)
• The Artist Zine (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Visual Studies 1 (10 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Studies 2 (10 credits; compulsory)
• Ways of Perceiving (10 credits; compulsory)
• Ways of Thinking (10 credits; compulsory).

Year Two – Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)

• Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Exhibition 2.0 (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Experimental Strategies (20 credits; compulsory)
• Personal Philosophies (20 credits; compulsory)
• World Building (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Research in Context (10 credits; compulsory)
• Research in Practice (10 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Enquiry 1 (10 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Enquiry 2 (10 credits; compulsory).

Year Three – Level 6 (BA)

• Advanced Creative Enquiry (20 credits; compulsory)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Major Project (60 credits; compulsory).

Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module; summative assessment takes place at the end of a module. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course which include:

Lectures

Usually at the start of a scheduled contact period, lectures will generally consist of a formal presentation giving information relevant to the module, accompanied by visuals, and followed by a screening or group tutorial/activity.

Group Tutorials

Depending on the cohort size, module content and individual lecturer preferences, these are usually in groups of no more than six students at a time and delivered over a set period.

Individual Tutorials

Most often scheduled for level 5, level 6 & level 7 students, individual tutorials offer a more focused and in-depth opportunity for student feedback and development of ideas. Most often arranged in relation to individual practice modules such as Student-Led Projects. 

Critiques

Group critiques are scheduled regularly for all year groups. For level 4 these often form part of the assessment at the end of short projects, for levels 5, 6 & 7 they are scheduled for the purpose of interim reviews and work-in-progress feedback, involving student participation and peer criticism.

Workshops

Delivered to teach specific skills to students, group size will depend on the subject and room size and can include project work. These are not usually formally marked but can be subject to group criticism, and informal feedback will be given.

Presentations

Formal presentations by students to peers and staff are used for research and development through to finished work. Students usually begin doing presentations at level 4 in small groups to build confidence in the process.

There are then assessed research presentations to peers at level 5 and Major Project Presentations to staff and other year groups at level 6 & 7. The presentation is an ideal vehicle for developing individual confidence and transferable skills.

This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. You’ll study up to 40 credits per level throughout your programme from the Graduate Attributes Framework.

The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving. 

• Find out more about the Graduate Attributes Framework

• Siân Louise Addicott
• Dr Hamish Gane
• Paul Duerinckx
• Ryan L. Moule

We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design, and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

To assess student suitability for their chosen course, we arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your portfolio of work.

Our standard offer for a degree course is 120 UCAS tariff points. We expect applicants to have a grade C or above in English Language (or Welsh) at GCSE level, together with passes in another four subjects. Plus we accept a range of Level 3 qualifications including:

• Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, plus one GCE A-Level in a relevant academic subject
• UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
• UAL L3 Applied General Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
• UAL L3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.
• UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology.
• Three GCE A-Levels or equivalent
• BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject
• International Baccalaureate score of 32
• Other relevant qualifications can be considered on an individual basis.

Qualifications are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results.

If you don’t have the required UCAS points, then please contact the course admissions tutor or email artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk as we can consider offers to applicants based on individual merit, exceptional work, and/or practical experience.

See our Interview Guide for more information.

Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.

However, art and design students will likely incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, or printing. 

Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course.  We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies, and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.  

A basic art and design kit will cost approximately £100 but you may well already have much of the equipment required so check with us first.  Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework, you may wish to bring your own digital devices. Check with us first before making a purchase. 

Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions to £200+ for overseas visits. These costs cover things like transport, entry to venues and accommodation and are normally at reduced rates for our students.

• Art & Design Foundation
• Documentary Photography and Visual Activism (BA)

STINE AAS NUNDAL

“This course and its tutors have encouraged me to experiment and find my own photographic voice. The university has a great environment and in my experience a genuine interest in its students and their work.”

NAOMI BOWEY

"The course was great for developing skills and encouraging self-initiated work. With frequent guest artist talks and one-to-one support from lecturers, Swansea was a fantastic place to study."

JONATHAN SZYMANSKI

“The course offered the freedom to express yourself and to experiment. A highlight were the regular 'crits', where you had to learn to defend, discuss and explain your work, this helped me to build a thick skin and a more rounded view on my photography”.

LAURA CARYS THOMAS

“If you're thinking about signing up for Photography in the Arts... DO IT! My time on this course was quite simply the best 3 years of my life! You experience something new every day, gain many useful skills, and the lecturers are extremely friendly and encouraging too! You will learn, see and do so much whilst having a lot of fun at the same time! I cannot recommend this course enough! (If I could do it all over again, I would!)”.

CHARLOTTE BELL

“Core parts of the course, such as group critiques offered us the chance to present recently produced work or ideas to our peers and welcome input. One-to-one meetings with lecturers anchored our practices and challenged us to think of our work in the context of art history and professional artistic practice”.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.  To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.

Study Abroad 

Students can also take up the opportunity to study a semester in Europe, the USA or Canada.

In addition to our University Accommodation at Llys Glas, Swansea also benefits from a number of private student halls, all within a short walk, including:

• The Oldway Centre
• Coppergate
• St Davids

Map View