Duration:
2 years full-time for FdA (Foundation degree)
Upon successful completion of this course you'll have the option to join NTU's BA (Hons) Photography and top-up to a Level 6 qualification. Please read the Progression section for further details.
Location:
Confetti, Nottingham
UCAS course code:
W645
Institution code:
N91
- 64 UCAS Tariff points; and
- GCSE - English and Maths Grade C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors. Find out more about advisors in your country.
This degree is validated by Nottingham Trent University. You can apply through UCAS.
Fees & funding
Visit our fees & funding page for more information.
Additional Costs:
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
We advise you to budget between £50 - £250 for an external hard drive and appropriate art and design materials (sketch books, pencils etc.). Whilst you will be provided with storage for your work on the servers it is also good practice to back up your digital files to an external source.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Embark on a thrilling two-year journey in Digital Photography at Confetti! Learn from our expert staff, collaborate on real-world projects with industry partners, and dive into the exploration of various photography styles and editing techniques.
Master technical tools to effectively express your unique artistic vision, thereby becoming a dynamic influence in the world of photography.
This foundation degree in Digital Photography aims to create ambitious graduates who are equipped with the relevant skillset for entry into the photography industry by ensuring the industry’s voice is embedded at the heart of the curriculum.
Therefore employability is an integral element of the course training you on the latest industry-standard software and hardware combined with ample opportunities throughout the programme to undertake appropriate work-based learning.
Within individual modules the delivery of the material encourages increasing levels of skill development and student participation, ensuring that, as you progress through the course, you become a more confident and independent learner. We aim to include a range of methods of delivery that may include;
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshop
- Group tutorials
- Academic Tutorials
- Presentations and pitches
- Team working
- Independent learning
- Visiting industry professionals
All the modes of delivery are structured to develop on-going abilities and skills through exploring ideas and problem solving. The course will offer a broad range of assessment methods.
A variety of formative and summative assessment methods will be employed throughout the course such as:
- presentations
- idea development
- research led projects
- live briefs
- essays
- reports
Each assessment undertaken for each module will enable you to develop specific skills required by a photographer.
A two year Foundation degree is a great choice if you want to have the option to graduate with a Level 5 qualification and start your creative career early. With an accessible UCAS tariff – this type of degree is perfect for you if you prefer a more practical approach to your studies. After completing two years you will graduate with an FdSc/FdA qualification and choose whether you want to continue and enroll on a top up year for a full BSc/BA qualification or whether you would rather stop your education and start your creative career.
What you'll study in year 1
This module will provide you with a comprehensive foundation in photography by introducing you to core concepts and principles. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, you will gain proficiency in handling photographic equipment.
Furthermore, the module will focus on developing technical skills required for capturing and processing digital photographs.
Providing a thorough examination of the historical development, essential theories, and ethical aspects underpinning photography, this module delves into sustainability, cultural diversity, and the central significance of the camera in the creative process.
Through a combination of theoretical exploration and critical analysis, you will cultivate an understanding of photography as both a creative tool and a medium of communication.
Visual storytelling is a powerful form of communication that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries. In this module, through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, you will learn to harness the visual medium to convey compelling narratives, emotions, and ideas.
You will explore the fundamental principles of storytelling and gain insights into how visuals can be used to engage, inform, and captivate your audience. The module will also dive into various storytelling techniques across different creative fields and you will have the opportunity to apply these techniques in your chosen discipline, ensuring that you can weave impactful narratives that resonate with your audience.
Explore the processes involved in image manipulation and post-production. Develop the skills and techniques required to creatively enhance and refine photographic work.
You will apply the skills learned to create individual work showcasing your ability across different types of digital photography.
What you'll study in year 2
Explore advanced digital photography techniques, delving into a diverse array of creative and technical elements encompassing both production and post-production.
This journey will lead to the enhancement of your practical skills while simultaneously enabling you to nurture your unique creative style, sharpen your focus, and establish a distinctive photographer's identity.
This module is a creative voyage into the realm of emerging technologies, methods, and processes, all of which are harnessed to craft innovative image experiences, unlock new possibilities and challenge perceived norms and conventions. You will engage with cutting-edge tools and concepts, fostering a forward-thinking approach to your craft.
This module acts as a creative stage for you to conceive, design, and carry out an all-encompassing photographic project that encapsulates your individual vision and standpoint. It represents a culminating experience that showcases not only technical proficiency but also the capability to critically engage with photographic principles, the aptitude for inventive storytelling, and a dedication to the craft of visual communication
In this module, you'll acquire the knowledge and skills essential for thriving in the ever-evolving creative industries. Delve into the dynamic landscape of this sector, gaining insights into the various roles and responsibilities specific to your discipline.
Explore the wide array of employment routes and opportunities within your area of expertise, and examine the nuances of freelance work. You will work on a live brief to help develop those crucial networking skills, equipping you for success in this vibrant field.
Additionally you will explore the impact of digitally networked cultures, creative portfolios, brand-building, sustainable digital business models and the impact of new technologies.
On this course you'll study in Confetti HQ - our £9.1million digital media hub. You’ll have access to:
- Industry Spec Workstation PCs
- Bookable Green Screen studio space
- Motion capture studio
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Autodesk suite
Work experience
Our Talent Development team work closely with Course Leaders to link students with opportunities across the industry. As a student studying at Confetti, you'll also benefit from its commercial creative businesses.
These include Metronome, our live music and events venue; our esports and live streaming complex, Confetti X; commercial broadcast television channel, Notts TV; and Antenna; a co-working space for the creative industries.
There will be regular opportunities to work with these businesses, whilst Confetti also supports and has connections with local music festivals, creative businesses, and is part of Nottingham Trent University.
At Confetti, we offer students the chance to ‘Do It For Real’ – to get out into real industries and experience working in various roles that will add to your professional portfolio.
Our Talent Development team work closely with Course Leaders to link students with opportunities across the graphic and digital design industry.
In a thriving city, students will have the chance to work with a wide range of organisations, big and small. Check out this recent blog on how a leading Nottingham creative agency is providing work experience and job opportunities for Confetti students.
Industry Week
We offer lots of opportunities to our students throughout the year, but we really dial it up with our annual Industry Week. Like no other, we go off timetable for a week, inviting some of the biggest names the creative industries to deliver talks, workshops and masterclasses for our students. We organise these types of events to enrich our students' education with real world experiences.
Check our our past Industry Week guests on our OnDemand service here.
Top-up to a full honours degree
After finishing your foundation degree, you may decide to go straight into industry or top-up to a full honours degree.
If you achieve a Commendation or higher grade, you'll be able to progress onto the Level 6 (Final Year) of the popular BA (Hons) Photography at NTU course.
For those completing their foundation degree with a Pass, you'll have the opportunity to progress onto Level 5 (Year Two) of the course.
If you choose to progress onto the full honours degree at NTU, you'll be invited to a transition tutorial with the Illustration course team at NTU. The aim of the tutorial is for you to meet the course team; present your work; and for the team to ensure any appropriate support (if necessary) is made available to you before you progress.
Future careers
You can also move straight into your career, in areas which might include:
- Photographer
- Picture editor
- Artist
- Retoucher
- Filmmaker
- Curator
- Teacher
- Marketer
- Community Arts Worker
- Content Creator
- Archivist
- Freelancer
