UCAS

University courses in Photography

I have chosen what I would like to study at University, my hesitation is where to study based on the standard of the course in what equipment they provide for students and the right student life for me. I would enjoy studying an undergraduate degree in photography with the duration of three to four years depending on whether or not I study a foundation diploma. The reason I may have to study a foundation degree is because I haven't gained a photographic qualification. I never had the opportunity to study photography at GCSE therefore I may have to apply for a foundation photography course to cover the basics. However due to my chosen specialism in year two involving photography with magazine I think it is a great opportunity to gain as much knowledge and understanding to build a diverse portfolio showcasing my photographic ability.

BA (Hons) Photography at the University of Brighton

Many universities who interview students hoping to progress on to an undergraduate course within Art and Design concentrate on the interviewee's portfolio. Some universities accept students upon their portfolio instead of notifying their academic achievements. Therefore the most important piece of evidence is maintaining a portfolio which showcases a range of my diverse skills. In order for me to apply for the course I need to have achieved at least one Distinction and two Merits which equal to about 280 points on the UCAS point scoreboard. However individual offers upon entry may vary. The university of Brighton is highly recognised for Art and Design which means it is a very competitive University to get into.

The Photography course encourages the development of innovative practices in the fields of art and commerce. I will enjoy an experimental, creative and critical environment in which to practice and think about photography, whilst acknowledging photography’s multiplicity and the diverse spaces that the medium now occupies in contemporary culture. I will also be encouraged to reflect on my own position within contemporary photographic practice and debates, supporting my professional development as a practitioner who can formulate new visual languages that effectively represent the world today.

Throughout the course, a series of practice-based projects are supported by lectures, seminars and tutorials, engaging with photography in its widest contexts. A series of technical workshops include demonstrations in camera use, lighting, black and white and colour printing, and, of course, digital processes to develop practical skills. Professional practice sessions include talks and seminars given by guest speakers who are practising photographers, writers or other professionals concerned with commissioning, publishing or exhibiting photography.

Photography at the University of Brighton enjoys a significant national and international reputation. This stimulating environment enables graduates to develop careers in photography and related industries including freelance photographic practice, curating, education, exhibiting, publishing, picture research, and editing. In recent years, graduates have won many prestigious photographic awards. These include first and second place in the Guardian Student Media Awards, two Jerwood Photography Awards, two winners and a runner up of the Independent Photographers Terry O'Neill Awards, a NESTA Innovation Award and Student of the Year by the Association of Photographers.

BA (Hons) Photography at UCA Farnham

Photography at UCA Farnham has a distinguished history and offers me the opportunity to study photographic practice, theory and history in the broadest possible context. They have a strong teaching team of professional photographers and artists and I will graduate with a high level of professional and practical knowledge, as well as an understanding of photographic culture and history.

This course focuses on contemporary photographic art practice. Studying photography within a fine art context preparing me for all types of future employment within the field of photography, both art-based and commercial practice. The four year course includes a preparatory year (year 0) which enables you to gain and develop a range of skills in moving/still image and audio production and editing. The initial year also offers supports seminars, tutorials, specialist technical workshops and group critiques to help you to adapt to the student centred learning of degree level study. Once I have successfully completed this preparatory year, I will progress directly, without further interview or application onto the BA (Hons) Photography courses at UCA Farnham. I also have the option of progressing onto other courses in media and communications.

This course will enable to encounter many career opportunities working within this line of work ranging from editorial photography, fashion photography, fine art photography, documentary, advertising, editing and curatorial posts, Gallery/project management, writing, teaching and technical support. I also have the option to go on to further research and postgraduate study.

At a time when the creative industries are growing at twice the rate of the UK economy, the influence of art, design and media in our lives has never been so defined. The staff who I will taught by at Farnham are practitioners in their field with these fantastic links to the creative industries. These links enable the university to keep all their course up to date and prepare students for the world of proffesional practise and work. Using the support that the university gives I am able to have the opportunity to undertake live projects, work placements and access to visiting lecturers.

UCA provides a Careers Service of innovative services to support their students in planning for their career effectively and realising their full potential includng workshops and presentations on personal branding and effective job search, further study opportunites and setting up a business. Having one to one confidential guidance appointment service at each UCA campus. Providing dedicated careers library at each UCA learning centre. Giving up to date careers information, graduate vacancies, work placements, residencies, competitions and events via our careers website.

UCA have links with The Association of Photographers, a national body which works to give student members a head start as a future professional photographer. Amongst many successes from the course, Marius Hansen's national billboard campaign for the soft drink Oasis could be seen on posters around the United Kingdom. Helen Maynard, who graduated in 2005 had a solo exhibition at the European Parliament in Brussels in June 2006. Another 2005 graduate Natasha Caruana exhibited had a solo exhibition at The Office gallery in Los Angeles in July 2006. Graduate Graham Hathway had work showing in 24 Photgraphy and has had work published in Flux magazine. Graduate David Weightman established a schools' exhibition project 2005 including the work of 2005 graduate Laura May. Graduate Shane Degan, had an image selected for the Schweppes Photographic Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, just 54 photographs were selected from 8,000 entries. Graduate Jan von Holleben had solo exhibitions of his photography in Paris and New York, he also won gold in the Lead Academy Photography awards. Jan won gold in the Best Lifestyle Photography 2005 section - Lead Academy in Germany.

UCAS

My Gap Year

I have wanted to travel ever since I was a little girl, I first flew when I was about two years of age and I have never had a problem with flying neither traveling across water or traveling under ground. I've always been amazed by transport and I think being able to travel through the sky about 3000ft high is fascinating. I'm lucky to have contacts around the world who can always support me if I ever visit their country. These contacts have been built over the years through myself and my parents. I have spent most of my summer abroad, visiting people, taking photographs and generally discovering new cultures.

My father moved away a few years ago and he is now working in Azerbaijan teaching English as a foreign language at Baku Oxford School. I have been to visit him within the last year and I was kindly offered a job. The job involves teaching English language to primary students aged between eight and nine years. Accredited by both The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) the school offers their students high quality education.

Not only will I have the responsibility of teaching younger students, I have also been asked to help provide a photography dark room for the students to use. Many more students are being influenced by art and design and teachers are trying to encourage them to express themselves through this visual art. An important part of my duty as a teacher will be to organise extra curricular activities which will take place after the school day finishes. I am very much looking forward to this opportunity and I am ever so grateful that I have been kindly offered the job. It will help me gain life experience and build my own views upon the world.

Another wonderful opportunity which I have been given is to publish my photographs in the local Baku magazine. Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan and to their disadvantage the country struggles with tourism because it is undiscovered by so many people however it isn't a bad issue that the country isn't heaving with tourist because it will become spoilt but I for one never knew anything about the country and the city until I visited and discovered more about it for myself. Throughout my discoveries I have taken photographs and gained more understanding about the lifestyle and the different cultures portrayed within the country, it allows me to write about my experiences which will help me along the way if I apply to university.

I will be contracted to this job for a school year starting from early September and finished mid June. The school days begin at 8am and finishes between 3pm and 4pm. Sometime students are encouraged to further their study by attending school during the weekend. In order for me to be able to live and work in Baku, I will need to have a working visa which will be taken care by the school costing around $1500. The local currency is Manat which is roughly equal to 1 dollar. However, the staff are paid in dollars. I will be earning an hourly rate of around $17 which is equivalent to approximately ￡11 in GBP. I will need medical and health insurance which are already taken care of and I have somewhere to live.