Course Overview
Please note: you will make your selection of three A Levels once you have progressed into the application process.
This course enables you to work in a variety of jobs in the world-beating British creative industries. As a photography student you will develop many transferable skills in communication, IT, observation, and independent thinking, alongside building your confidence among your peers and in the visual world.
Past students on this course have also chosen to combine A-level Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textiles, Media Studies, Film Studies, and have progressed into careers in Photography, Art, Fashion, Animation, and more.
Topics may include:
- Landscape photography
- Portraiture (including studio and location)
- Fashion photography
- Documentary photography
- Medium format advanced darkroom technique
- Narrative and mixed media.
Assessment Methods
This course is assessed by a range of assignments and assessments. These are set and marked internally by Strode staff and then validated by an external moderator.
This is a two-year practical course with written elements and no exam. There is a final period of 15 hours of practical work under exam conditions, which completes the second-year assessment.
You will learn by completing weekly (often technical) assignments at first, but short projects with fewer choices lead on to longer projects with a free choice – and to many unique creative outcomes. You will be taken from very basic camera control skills at first, to advanced technical skills in digital and monochrome darkroom and studio flash.
Progression Options
On successful completion of the course, you could continue to study on a Photography degree or Art Foundation (pre degree) course. Some students have also become freelance or assistant photographers after the course, which builds your portfolio for this reason.
If you want to do a Law degree you should check with the University that this counts as one of your three subjects – for almost all other subjects and Universities this will count towards your UCAS points.
Entry Requirements
You need five GCSEs in the 9 to 4 range, including English and Maths at grade 4 or above, or equivalent qualifications.
You should have a grade 4 to 9 GCSE in an Art & Design course (not DT), but if not, you will be subject to a successful interview with a portfolio of work.
Ownership of your own DSLR (or good mirrorless digital) and/or 35mm SLR camera is not compulsory at first, but you would be expected to have one by the second term.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across our Colleges for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities by navigating to the “College Life” section of our websites.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we are investing in your future.
All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by visiting our Contact Us page.
