Course summary

Plymouth College of Art has been granted full university status and formally recognised with the new title of Arts University Plymouth, following approval by the Privy Council. This makes us the City of Plymouth’s first specialist arts university. The title of Arts University Plymouth signifies a change to the way that the world will see us, our position within the sector and the mobility of our graduates; but not a change in the way that we see ourselves or what we do. Arts University Plymouth will build upon the existing strength of our unique culture and incredible community; we have no plans to change the specialist focus of the work we do together. The name Arts University Plymouth will appear on our qualifications, making it easier for employers and peers to recognise that our students were taught at a leading specialist arts university. In May 2022 we were awarded the Best Small or Specialist University at the 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards, coming top in a list of well-respected specialist UK universities, based on unbiased and honest reviews from students across the UK, in a category that highlights the quality of our provision as a specialist creative university. From lighting and framing a dramatic fashion shot to visualising concepts for retail, commercial photography has the power to influence and inspire. The course will help you succeed in today’s competitive photographic industry, and give you the broad range of skills that you’ll need, combining technical excellence with visual awareness, innovation, business acumen and enterprise. This course will equip you with advanced technical skills in studio and location, lighting, digital capture and post-production techniques. Industry-oriented assignments, supported by hands-on workshops using sophisticated camera and lighting equipment, will also develop your technical skills. With support from our teaching and technical team, as well as practitioners from industry, you’ll develop your confidence in responding to client briefs while demonstrating creative problem-solving and conceptualisation skills. Then, in your second year, you’ll work with real industry clients to build a professional portfolio. Recent contributors include Getty Images, Met Office, Mercedes-Benz, and Pro-Direct Sport. You’ll acquire a broad range of entrepreneurial abilities in marketing, self-promotion and business development, and develop financially sustainable practices, fundamental to your success in the industry. You’ll also benefit from our affiliation with the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP). Our photographic resources include industry-standard studios, one of which provides an infinity cove to create seamless backdrops for shoots. We also provide access to lighting and high-end digital camera equipment, large-format scanners, post-production suites and 6000 pieces of kit that are free to hire from our Equipment Resource Centre. Our students attend world-class events including the annual Visual Culture Symposium in London, where speakers have included picture editors from The Telegraph and The Guardian, amongst acclaimed international photographers. You’ll also be encouraged to enter graduate showcases and awards, with one of our recent graduates winning Best in Show - first runner up, at Free Range 2019. Our curriculum includes a rich schedule of visiting lecturers and photographers, many of whom also take an active role in running practical workshops, contributing to group critiques and seminar discussions, and providing portfolio review sessions. And we are regularly visited by talented photography alumni, including industry professional Harry Borden, Suki Dhanda, Tom Oldham and Candice Farmer. Many also provide work placement and assisting opportunities. Graduates can become:

• Commercial photographers

• Fashion photographers

• Advertising photographers

• Digital retouchers

• Digital editors

• Publishers

• Picture editors