COURSE CURRICULUM

In Year One, students are introduced to essential skills in both still and moving image capture. The Photography Ideas and Practice module focuses on developing technical and creative skills through exploring both darkroom and studio-based photography, encouraging students to engage with the history of photography and its thematic components. The assessment consists of a research and development portfolio, where students reflect on their learning and produce a portfolio of images. The Moving Image Ideas and Practice module introduces students to moving image production techniques such as video capture, editing, sound manipulation, and cinematography. The assessment also involves a research and development portfolio focused on moving image works. In Contextual and Visual Research, students explore the historical and cultural context of photography and lens-based media from 1839 to the 1980s, producing an annotated bibliography and visual responses. The Presenting and Contextualising Your Work module explores how photography and moving image work can be presented to an audience, with students creating a photobook or short film and reflecting on the production process through a reflective journal.Year Two shifts towards more experimental and autonomous practices. The Experimental and Emerging Practice module encourages students to develop their creative and research skills through autonomous project development, exploring experimental frameworks for still and moving image production. Students are assessed on their research and development and the portfolio of experimental work they produce. In Critical Research and Contemporary Visual Culture, students critically examine the historical and contemporary influence of lens-based media and engage with visiting artist lectures. The assessment includes an artist talk, reading reflections, and an essay. Studio Practice: Themes and Techniques deepens technical and creative skills in photography and moving image production, with a focus on self-directed briefs. The module culminates in the creation of a portfolio project consisting of 20 images. In Curation and Exhibition, students explore the professional aspects of image production and display, including planning and marketing a group exhibition. Assessment consists of an essay and a project proposal for a real or imagined exhibition space.In Year Three, students focus on refining and expanding their practical work. The Final Major Project Development module allows students to create an experimental body of work in their chosen area of image production, with an assessment based on a portfolio of original images or moving images, alongside supporting research and development. Critical Research allows students to undertake focused research related to their final project, producing an annotated bibliography and a critical essay. The Final Major Project module provides an opportunity to produce a refined body of work for the degree show, supported by research and an artist statement. The assessment consists of the final project portfolio, research, and development. The Professional Practice module prepares students for their future careers by guiding them through the creation of visual and written materials, responding to client briefs, and building a professional media profile. The module includes two portfolios: one responding to a client brief and another focusing on external professional development.