If you are applying for this course from within the UK/EU, click apply now.
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
If you are applying for this course Part Time, please click apply now
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
If you are applying for this course from outside the UK/EU, click apply now.
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
Based at the Northern Centre of Photography, you will be part of our dynamic community and will be equipped with the confidence, knowledge and skills to embark on a successful career in the creative industries.
Apply through ClearingCreative content producers today use photography video and digital imaging fluidly. Our highly engaging course enables you to explore a diverse range of photographic skills both digital and traditional. You will explore the cultural meaning of photography and its different fields including fine art, documentary and commercial. By also acquiring skills to share content and build audiences both online and off-line you will develop your own distinct visual language that opens up a wide range of career pathways.
You will be introduced to a range of traditional and digital skills in image making and will have opportunities to learn how to use the various resources based in the Northern Centre of Photography. Alongside this, some of your teaching and learning will take place online.
A combination of online and face-to-face sessions will enable you to access the studios, darkrooms and equipment that will broaden your skills, as well as the specialist academics and technicians who will assist you as you learn. This flexible approach will enable you to stay safe, provide you with a rounded experience and enable you to join our community of learners.
We will make all reasonable efforts to provide the courses and student experience outlined. It may be necessary to make changes in response to COVID-19 whilst we continue to follow government guidance. View our FAQs for more information or contact us.
This course is structured so that you will explore different approaches and styles of photography and moving image to build your skills, your creative approaches and understanding of the practice as you develop your own aesthetic and intellectual position as an image maker.
You will have opportunities to experiment and challenge yourself, present your ideas to your peers and test your work in the real world.
View more student work in our student galleries.
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.
Our annual Degree Shows celebrate the work of our final year Art and Design students
Learn more about the University of Sunderland's Art and Design Degree Shows.
Want to know what it’s like to study Photography, Video and Digital Imaging at the University of Sunderland? And what it's like to work as a freelance Photographer? Here, graduates Esme Fletcher, Charlotte Draper and Nat Wilkins share their experiences.
Read more about working as a freelance photographer
Thinking about a creative degree but unclear about the career prospects? Here are some compelling reasons for a career in the creative sector.
Discover some compelling reasons for a career in the creative sector
Our typical offer is
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at admissions@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or an equivalent qualification, for example; a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a new GCSE for which you will be awarded a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
If English is not your first language we will require an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall score of 6.0 and at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) can also be considered if the applicant's element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS.
Portfolio/Interview
If the above criteria is met you will be asked to attend an interview. For this interview please prepare a portfolio of work, which should be simply mounted and accompanied by preparatory work. Sketchbooks are an important feature of your preparatory work and should be included. Where possible, 3D and large 2D work should be photographed. Digital and screen-based work should be saved on a CD or memory stick.
If you are an international applicant, please supply your portfolio on a CD.
Suitable items for a portfolio include:
‡ Drawing: examples of observed drawing and exploratory drawing
‡ Projects: evidence of project work together with your sketchbooks and development work
‡ Self-initiated work: that you have done out of personal interest
‡ Research: examples of various forms of investigation undertaken for projects
‡ Writing: examples of reports, essays or journals
The annual tuition fee is:
Tuition fees for part-time students are £6,935 per 120 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Graduates from this course are creative individuals who work in a broad range of creative careers. This may be in directly related areas such as arts practitioners, the music press, fashion photography, and portraiture to people facing professions such as teaching. Graduates have also taken up internships using their creative and management skills and established their own small businesses operating throughout the country.
You will be working in the Northern Centre of Photography, a unique grade 2 listed building and a dedicated photographic space in the heart of the city centre. With opportunities to meet and learn from many visiting international photographic practitioners, you will be joining a centre of research and teaching excellence in the North of England. Part of a vibrant city campus, we have links to major cultural and industry organisations and we host NEPN, the region’s professional development agency for photography.
You will have a range of opportunities to meet different practitioners working across the photographic sector. NEPN provides a programme of speakers and events that question and engage with photographic debates.
Previous speakers have included: Simon Norfolk, Rosy Martin, John Davies, Peter Fryer, Paul Seawright, Liz Wells, Jem Southam, Tomoko Yoneda, Melanie Friend, Julian Germain, Dinu Li, Susan Derges, Peter Kennard, Crystel Lebas and Julian Stallabrass.
Creative Industries Week gives everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, to build your confidence and help develop your career path.
Sunderland Culture is a collaboration between the University, council and the city’s key cultures organisations. This partnership brings big-name creatives in contemporary visual arts, glass, ceramics and performance to the city; showcases exciting local talent; and gives our students unique experiences including exceptional career-enhancing opportunities. Learn more at Sunderland Culture.
Sunderland Creatives shares the work and creativity of students, graduates and staff from the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. The site launched with a celebration of the work of our BA art and design students from the class of 2020. Going forwards this site will host exhibitions of students work throughout their course and all graduating students will have their own online portfolio’s to complement their degree shows.
We’re proud to be working in partnership with Create Britain to support and promote our students to the creative industry. Throughout your time with us you'll develop a Create Britain profile with your most accomplished work, that you can build on throughout your career. Create Britain makes it really easy to find and promote everyone and everything in the creative industry.
I enjoyed the freedom of self-expression and the help given by the lecturers at Sunderland.
Sunderland is an excellent place to develop as an artist and photographer.
I was blown away by the programme leader's enthusiasm and knowledge
I wanted to do something that spoke about mythology, culture and our heritage.
The University of Sunderland was my route to the best job in the world.
I'm now working in my dream job as a club photographer in football
I made some life-long relationships; with fellow students as well as lecturers.
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