BA (Hons) Photography, Video and Digital Imaging with Integrated Foundation Year

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A photographer taking a person's photo in the photography studio

Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeW655

Duration4 years

Fee (UK)£9,790

LocationOn campus

Course summary

BA (Hons) Photography, Video and Digital Imaging provides you with the wide-ranging skills needed for success in today’s photographic industries and beyond. You’ll learn how to make high quality digital and traditional images in our professional photography studios, digital production suites and photographic darkrooms. Learn how to tell compelling stories about the things that matter to you with guidance from our expert team of practising photographers. Develop your own distinct visual language and acquire the skills and contacts to get your work out into the world.

Our students have gone on to work in a whole range of areas such as medical, music, sports and events photography, working as studio and gallery assistants, curating, running commercial photography businesses, teaching, community and social work, and publishing.

Why Sunderland for Art and Design

Integrated Foundation Year

This course is available with an Integrated Foundation Year, an extra year of your degree. This route offers a supportive way of transitioning into university study. It may be suitable for you if you:

Have valuable work or life experience but no formal qualifications
Are returning to education after a break
Want to change direction or explore a new career path
Have just missed the entry requirements for the three-year course.

We’re enhancing our Integrated Foundation Year to give you an even stronger start to your degree. The updated modules will align more with your chosen subject area. This will help you build the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need for your studies. We'll share full details soon and can't wait to tell you more.

Please note, this route isn’t available to international students.

Since graduating, my career has been incredibly fulfilling. My acquired skill set and passion for digital imaging and photography led me to work with the police as a digital imaging editor. It’s a fantastic professional career which is both challenging and rewarding."
Josh Gawthorpe
Read Josh Gawthorpe's story

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

This course is structured so that you'll 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'll have opportunities to experiment and challenge yourself, present your ideas to your peers, and test your work in the real world.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is 96-112 UCAS Tariff points, from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

We accept a maximum of 6 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above. This must include maths and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

See how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you're eligible for a tariff point reduction.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

If you're studying an HND or Foundation Degree, you may be able to enter the final year of our degree course. For more information, please contact admissions@sunderland.ac.uk.

Portfolio requirements

We'd like to see evidence of your creative potential. You'll be expected to prepare a portfolio of your creative work which shows what you have done so far and what interests you. We're not looking for perfection as we appreciate you're still developing work.

Your portfolio should be a PowerPoint presentation, ZIP file or links to websites or videos. Here are some of our top tips:

Remember it's about quality not quantity – aim for between 10-20 pieces of your work.
Display a range of styles and techniques.
Show us work completed in or outside of your studies.
Include ideas that didn't work.
Demonstrate your research, for example, design sheets or sketchbooks/scrapbooks of things that inspire you.
Include photographs of 3D or large 2D work.
We also like to see uncompleted or work in progress.

Learn more about portfolio requirements and how to submit yours on our Applicant interviews page.

Integrated Foundation Year

Entry requirements are for guidance only. We may offer you an entrance interview to help us determine eligibility for your degree.

Eligible entry qualifications:

Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE, or equivalent). This must include maths and English language at grade C or above. We also require a minimum of 40 UCAS Tariff points. These must be from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, T Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses, or equivalent) OR
Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills. This should be from at least three years of post-school work experience.

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

See all course tuition fees.

Full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled students may be eligible for financial support. This would cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

Apply now

Start date/study mode:

UK students

Full-time September 2026
Apply now

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.

BA (Hons) Photography, Video and Digital Imaging with Integrated Foundation Year

Key course information

Course summary

Integrated Foundation Year

What you'll study

How you'll learn

Entry requirements

Portfolio requirements

Integrated Foundation Year

Fees and finance support

Apply now

UK students

Disclaimer