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Introduction
The Photography in the Arts programme encourages you to consider where photography sits within contemporary art practice and visual culture. You will be expected to undertake a far-reaching, risk-taking enquiry into the possibilities of the photographic medium. With an emphasis on conceptual thinking, you will explore the aesthetic, ethical and social contexts of both the individual and the collective human experience.
The programme is designed to encourage the use of diverse media, using traditional, digital, and experimental materials and processes, and to develop skills that will serve you throughout your working life. Allowing for a flexible approach to image making, in relation to both subject matter and technique, where you will explore and challenge the conventions of contemporary photographic art practice.
The photography department has strong links with both the art and commercial media industries, which are utilised and strengthened by a regular series of visiting lecturers. Skills developed during the course are transferable to many careers within the creative industries and while the needs of industry are always a major consideration, the quality and academic rigour of the degree is paramount.
Alongside our expert, specialist lecturers and technicians, you will make connections through the industry via our vibrant visiting lecturer programme, which provides opportunities for students to hear, see and meet a range of professionals working within the field of photography.
You will learn what is required to have a successful career within the visual arts, and you can expect to join our recent alumni in the fastest growing sector, the creative industries. Examples of graduate employment range from self-employed business owners, editorial and advertising photographers, artists, curators and gallery directors.
The photo department at Swansea College of Art has superb, state-of-the-art facilities and a very friendly atmosphere with small class sizes offering exceptional student to staff interaction. For more information, please get in touch or visit us on one of our upcoming open days. Open days are a great chance to look around our studios, meet our staff and ask any questions you may have.
Why choose this course?
1. Voted 1st in Wales for Film Production & Photography (Guardian League Table 2022)
2. Exceptional staff to student contact time with our expert specialists, practicing as photographers, artists and researchers.
3. Direct personal input from industry professionals, including artists, photographers, curators, and picture editors.
4. Opportunities to undertake internships, work with international galleries, museums, and community organisations.
5. A unique location between city and award-winning coastline
Overview
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.
Modules
Year One – Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)
• Exhibition 1.0 (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Fugitive Testimonies (20 credits; compulsory)
• 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)
• 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)
• Major Project (60 credits; compulsory).
Entry Criteria
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, we can consider offers to applicants based on individual merit, exceptional work, and/or practical experience.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
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.
Career Opportunities
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