Course summary

Arts University Plymouth is an arts university for the 21st century, preparing students who are uniquely placed to provide creative solutions to the complex global challenges of a changing world. Formerly known as Plymouth College of Art, we were granted full university title in Spring 2022. We are now the city of Plymouth’s first and only specialist arts university, allowing us to offer our students a dynamic and unique learning experience. If you want to pursue a creative degree at Arts University Plymouth but feel you have yet to acquire the experience and range of skills necessary, our Extended BA course will prepare you for entry to one of our BA (Hons) undergraduate courses. This four-year route offers an exploratory year, developing your insight into a range of art, design and media skills and approaches, before focusing on your Commercial Photography degree. From lighting and framing a dramatic fashion shot to visualising concepts for advertising campaigns, commercial photography has the power to influence and inspire. Our BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course will help you succeed in today’s dynamic and competitive photographic industry, providing you with the knowledge and skills to flourish, combining visual awareness and innovation with technical excellence, professional understanding and business competencies. This course will equip you with advanced technical skills in studio and location lighting, digital capture and post-production techniques. This is an integrated programme of study with industry-oriented assignments, hands-on workshops and expert tuition, using sophisticated camera and lighting equipment. You will also develop your industry knowledge and professional skills to enable you to find work in high-end commercial photographic practice. Our curriculum is geared towards employability and enterprise. We develop photographers who are technically proficient, visually sophisticated and professionally astute – who understand trends in the industry and how to pitch for business, and who graduate with a broad range of transferable skills that enable them to succeed in the creative industries. Working both individually and in interdisciplinary groups and with real-world mentors, you’ll gain vocational experience to be able flourish both academically and professionally. You will acquire a broad range of entrepreneurial abilities in marketing, self-promotion and business development, enabling you to develop a financially sustainable practice, fundamental to your success in the industry. 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. In your second year, you’ll work with real industry clients to build a professional portfolio. You’ll also benefit from our affiliation with the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP). Our curriculum includes a rich schedule of visiting lecturers and photographers, and we are regularly visited by talented photography alumni, including industry professionals such as Harry Borden, Suki Dhanda, Tom Oldham and Candice Farmer. Many alumni also provide work placement and assisting opportunities. You’ll also be encouraged to enter graduate showcases and awards; one of our recent graduates won Best in Show – first runner-up, at Free Range 2019. We create an environment in which commercial photographers can develop their professional practice and gain a wide range of skills and knowledge, enabling them to shape their futures and make a positive impact in the photographic industries.