Introduction to Photography (Online) University Certificate in Continuing Education

Course overview

Designed for beginners and those looking to grow their skills, the course blends flexible self-paced learning with live, tutor-led sessions. You’ll gain confidence with your camera – learning how to control ISO, aperture and shutter speed – while exploring compositional techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines and negative space.

Weekly hands-on tasks help you experiment and develop your creative voice, supported by a strong emphasis on reflection and feedback. Group critiques with tutors and peers provide a space to share ideas, analyse your work and refine your approach. At the same time, you’ll build practical skills in safe equipment handling, workflow organisation and presenting your images professionally.

By combining solid technical training with room to experiment, the course offers a truly rounded learning experience. Whether you're working with a DSLR, mirrorless camera or smartphone, you’ll be encouraged to push boundaries and explore your personal style. By the end of the course, you’ll have produced a portfolio of high-quality images and a reflective workbook – giving you a solid foundation for further study or ongoing creative practice.

Why study this course

• Learn from anywhere – flexible self paced study combined with live sessions means you can balance learning with other commitments.
• Hands on creative development – weekly tasks and peer critiques help you grow technically and creatively.
• Professional standards – develop skills in digital editing, safe equipment handling, and portfolio presentation aligned to industry expectations.
• Inclusive for all devices – whether you own professional equipment or just a smartphone, this course is designed to help you create impactful images.
• Build a strong portfolio – graduate with a curated collection of work and a reflective workbook that demonstrates your journey and achievements.

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Course details

What you study

This course is structured around one core module designed to develop technical, creative, and critical photography skills. It combines technical instruction, creative exploration, and reflective practice to help students build a strong foundation in photography.
Introduction to Photography (12 weeks).

This module introduces you to the core technical and creative principles of photography. You’ll explore key camera settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed), compositional techniques (rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space), and visual storytelling. Through weekly tasks, live sessions, and group critiques, you’ll experiment with both digital and analogue methods to develop your technical competence and creative confidence.

By the end of the module, you’ll produce:

• A workbook documenting research, experiments, technical notes, and critical reflections.
• A portfolio of final photographic outcomes that demonstrates your learning journey and creative development.

Topics explored include:

• Understanding camera mechanisms and functions.
• Applying compositional techniques to enhance image impact.
• Post-production and editing using Adobe Creative Suite.
• Visual analysis and critical reflection on photographic work.
• Health and safety in photography practice.

Assessment is based on the workbook (20%) and portfolio with supporting workbook (80%).

How you learn

This course combines flexible self paced learning with live, interactive teaching sessions to support a wide range of learners. You will engage in a variety of learning activities designed to develop your technical skills, creative practice, and critical thinking.

Teaching is delivered through a blend of:

• Lectures and technical demonstrations – covering camera operation, composition, and editing techniques.
• Workshops – providing hands on practice with photographic equipment and software.
• Group critiques
and peer discussions – encouraging reflective practice and visual analysis.
• Self directed study – to explore ideas, experiment with techniques, and develop your personal portfolio.

Digital tools such as Adobe Creative Suite will be used to support workbook production and image editing. The course also makes use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for access to resources, tutor feedback, and collaboration with peers.

You can expect:

• 5-7 hours per week of structured teaching activities (lectures, workshops, live sessions).
• Independent study time of approximately 10–12 hours per week for assignments, practice, and workbook development.

This is equivalent to a part time commitment across the 12 week module.

How you are assessed

You’ll be assessed through a mix of ongoing feedback and final submissions, designed to support your learning and development. The focus is on creating practical photographic work and reflecting on your progress to build both technical skills and creative confidence.

To successfully complete the module and progress, you’ll need to:

• submit all required assessments (workbook and portfolio)
• demonstrate engagement with practical tasks, group critiques, and feedback sessions
• show evidence of self directed study and ongoing development of photographic skills.

Completion of this module contributes credits towards broader creative arts qualifications and provides a strong foundation for advanced study or professional practice in photography.

Progress feedback is built into the learning process and includes:

• weekly tasks and exercises with informal tutor and peer feedback
• group critiques and discussions to evaluate work-in-progress
• one-to-one tutor meetings for personalised guidance.

These opportunities allow you to refine your work before submitting summative assessments.

Formal assessment is 100% coursework-based and includes two components:

• Workbook (20%) – digital submission (PDF or PowerPoint); due in week 4.
• Portfolio and workbook (80%) – digital submission (folder of JPGs and PDF or PowerPoint workbook); due in week 12.

There are no written exams for this module.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

This course is designed for beginners and those looking to develop their skills further. It is open to anyone with an interest in photography and a willingness to learn, whether using a digital camera, mirrorless system, or smartphone.

• No formal academic qualifications are required.
• Applicants should have a basic level of digital literacy to engage with online learning materials and Adobe Creative Suite.
• A genuine interest in photography and visual storytelling is essential.
• Portfolio submission is not required for entry.
• Applicants are asked to write a submission which explores their interest in photography and their learning goals.

We are committed to supporting disabled students and those with additional needs. Reasonable adjustments will be made where possible to ensure all students can fully participate in learning and assessment activities.

However, students should note that:

• The module includes practical tasks which require the ability to operate cameras and software independently.
• Some activities may involve fieldwork in outdoor settings, which may not be fully accessible in all circumstances. Alternative arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Part-time learners are welcome and can follow the flexible study plan to fit their schedule.

Employability

Career opportunities

This course is designed to not only develop your technical and creative photography skills but also to prepare you for further study and career opportunities in the creative industries.

Throughout the module, you will build a strong portfolio and a reflective workbook that showcase your technical competency, creative thinking, and ability to critically evaluate your work – essential attributes for progression to BA-level study and professional practice.

Successful completion of this module provides a pathway to undergraduate study in photography or related creative arts disciplines. You’ll complete the course with:

• A professionally presented portfolio of images demonstrating technical skill and creative potential.
• A comprehensive workbook evidencing research, experimentation, and critical reflection, which can support applications for higher education.
• An understanding of photographic best practices and professional standards, ensuring readiness for more advanced academic work.

This module develops the core competencies required for entry into BA (Hons) Photography or other visual arts programmes.

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