Course overview
Embrace the interdependence of aesthetic, technical and conceptual approaches as you take an integrated approach to theory and practice. You are encouraged to challenge your ideas and develop adventurous and compelling photography through research and experimentation. We welcome analogue, digital and post-photographic approaches, and you have access to traditional chemical darkrooms alongside professional studios and the latest industry-standard digital tools as part of Adobe Creative Campus.
Audiences are essential for a successful photographic practice, and you become confident in the communicative potential of different formats and platforms. Professional development is embedded throughout, and you engage with legal and ethical concerns and build ‘future-ready’ entrepreneurial skills.
A unique feature of the course is the interdisciplinary module The Connected Practitioner, which allows for creative alternatives to a traditional written dissertation, enabling you to articulate your vision in a way that’s right for you.
This is a demanding course and requires a high level of self-direction and independent study in addition to the taught sessions. You are supported to produce critically engaged photographic work that is distinctly yours.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
You consider aesthetic, technical, and conceptual approaches to image-making, and employ these in the planning, development, and resolution of a photographic project. You are encouraged to experiment, test new ideas, and actively challenge and develop your previous work.
Photographs are not just images: we encounter them in material contexts. Explore the ways in which photographs can be deployed and disseminated, and how they might be engaged with by viewers. You consider aesthetic, technical and conceptual approaches to produce a photographic artefact made for an intended audience.
Undertake a major, in-depth, individual study into a specialisation relating to your discipline.
This project is appropriate to commercial, industrial, creative, or research-based fields according to your own interests and career aspirations. You are responsible for the conceptualisation, research and development of the project, producing an end product relevant to your field of study.
Elevate your creative research skills, a cornerstone of all creative disciplines, fuelling both academic and creative work. Learn engaging research practices and critical thinking to tackle real-world issues, policies, and audiences. Join a vibrant postgraduate community, exchanging ideas and perspectives across various creative fields. Benefit from lectures and online tutors delivering key knowledge on current debates, issues, and research approaches in the arts and creative industries. Participate in seminars and studio sessions for active debate and practical application of research.
Making strong images is only part of a successful photographic practice. Develop the necessary skills to operate at a professional level, whatever your chosen career path and aspirations.
A series of seminars explores effective communication, marketing and promotion, legal and ethical obligations, business models, and careers in photography. You develop practical skills and industry know-how, underpinned by relevant critical and theoretical contexts.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through lectures, workshops and seminars individually and in groups.
You engage in research-led, project-based learning, developing creative skills and commercial awareness by working to industry briefs. Learning focuses on reflecting the reality of working in the creative industries, and throughout the course you will be encouraged to work both individually and as part of a group.
All you need is a PC, laptop or tablet to access the course materials and forum and share your writing with the tutors and your peers.
How you are assessed
Most of the modules include a progressive assessment strategy, with practical tasks set each week to support you in working towards in course assessment.
Entry requirements
Typically a first degree (2.2 minimum) in photography. We also consider other relevant experience or qualifications.
Plus a portfolio of images or a completed project demonstrating your skills, and a proposal outlining the direction of your work and aims for the course.
International applicants will require IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
Choose to work as an independent photographer or within a range of businesses that require professional photography skills, in positions such as:
- art director
- film/video editor
- graphic designer
- magazine features editor
- medical illustrator
- press photographer
Learning platform
Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is the platform you use to access your online course
Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment.
Here are some of the benefits.
- You can use it on your smartphone, tablet and computer.
- And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
- It's easy to use and navigate.
- Modules are set out by topics and themes. You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
- We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
- You get feedback, help and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
- Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
- You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students and take part in online discussion forums.
