“Solent has helped by filling my CV with great experiences that have given me confidence and improved my work”
BA (Hons)Photography
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2026
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: PH01
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a photography degree at Solent University
Focus your creative vision and develop your ideas using a range of large and medium format cameras, digital editing suites and even traditional film processing facilities.
- 0thin the UK in in film production and photography, out of 70 institutions (Guardian Uni Guide 2026)
- Top0in the UK for career prospects in film production and photography, out of 44 institutions (Guardian Uni Guide 2026)
- Top0%nationally for graduate earnings (LEO 2025)
- You will be taught by a highly skilled course team, with a rich breadth of knowledge and experience, and a range of backgrounds. Staff are all active photographic practitioners, writers, and researchers, and have published and exhibited widely in the UK and internationally.
- Free access to an extensive media loans programme. Including high-end DSLR cameras, extensive range of lenses, 35mm cameras, medium format cameras, large format 5x4 cameras and lenses and a full stock of accessories: light meters, tripods, flash guns.
- Industry links with agencies and establishments such as the Association of Photographers in London (The AOP), a space arts in Southampton and the APHE.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Course overview
Throughout the course you will be supported to develop your creative, imaginative and critical abilities – skills that are essential in a creative career – you’ll also explore a range of photographic subjects and will embed photographic skills through dynamic projects.
Solent’s experienced teaching team will guide you in creating a rich and varied professional portfolio, and will ensure that you have the creative freedom to make a portfolio that best represents your own unique style, while at the same time demonstrating that you are a competent, adaptable and employable practitioner.
Regular course lectures are supported by a programme of industry guest speakers, which in the past have included appearances from Richard Billingham, Catherine Yass, Charlotte Cotton, Ori Gersht, Brian Dillon, Peter Fraser, Dan Holdsworth, Chrystel Lebas, Jeremy Millar, Sophy Rickett, Margaret Salmon and Tom Hunter.
Your studies will take place in the multi-million pound Media Academy – featuring state-of-the-art teaching and photography facilities including digital and analogue studio spaces. You will also learn in the Photography Base Room – a dedicated, flexible teaching space.
Think a career as a photographer might be for you? With first-class facilities and a unique emphasis on freelance work, Solent University’s photography programme is a great first step towards your dream career.
If you’re looking to study our photography degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the art and design foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the art and design foundation year.
Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Who is this course for?
Solent’s photography degree is ideally suited to students who are interested in developing their technical skills, working on creative and challenging projects, and developing their knowledge and understanding of photography and visual culture.
Students will consider theory and practice across a range of briefs from set tasks to self-initiated projects. Applicants will have ideally studied a previous creative subject and will be required to show a portfolio and developmental work at interview.
What does this course lead to?
Many graduates have gone on to work in commercial, editorial, fashion, portrait, documentary, photojournalism, landscape and fine art photography. Graduates also enter related fields, including post-production, museum and galleries, book and journal publication, picture editing, education (FE and HE) and have also gone on to postgraduate study.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The course team offers a blend of skills, knowledge and expertise; they have a rich breadth and depth of experience and backgrounds. As such, they are able to support students and their development.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Course facilities include an extensive media loans programme, providing access to high-end DSLR cameras, an extensive range of lenses (including many ‘L’ series and Prime lenses), 35mm cameras, medium format cameras (645, 6x7 and 6x9), large format 5x4 cameras and lenses, and a full stock of accessories – light meters, tripods, flash guns, remote-controlled boom-mounted flash systems and more.
You’ll also have access to our digital reprographics lab, featuring commercial-standard and large-format printers, flatbed scanners, three Hasselblad drum scanners scanning up to 5x4 size and a colour-calibrated ProMac-based reprographic suite. Our recently rebuilt colour and black-and-white darkrooms are of the highest industry standards and students can also freely use our in-house colour film processing machine. Additionally, we have finishing and film processing rooms, a modern multimedia lab featuring 24 iMacs with Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro, plus large professional photographic studios and associated make-up and styling rooms.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Image Lab
Working creatively producing a digital photographic print, you will develop essential technical photographic skills as well as improving your understanding of contemporary photography.
Orientation
Working creatively producing photographic prints exploring the city, you will learn essential analogue photographic skills developing film and working in the photographic darkroom.
Photography History and Theory I
This foundational module presents an overview of key themes and contexts of contemporary photographic practice. It situates these relevant, contemporary genres within a historical context giving an understanding to how and why photography has been shaped as it is today. The module considers the modern and historical as well as theoretical ideas and genres.
Photography History and Theory II
This module builds on from Photography History and Theory 1. It extends and deepens consideration of photographic themes, genres, practitioners and theories. It situates these relevant, contemporary ideas within a historical context giving an understanding to how and why photography has been shaped as it is today.
Representation
You will investigate both traditional and contemporary approaches to figurative and non-figurative photographic representation working in the photographic studio using the latest digital camera technology.
Visual Exploration
For this module you will produce a series of images for an end of year photographic exhibition. This assignment is intended to develop your skills in contextualising the image within contemporary photography as well as refining and developing your analogue camera and darkroom skills.
Core modules
Image Text Analysis I
The module is a student-centered investigation into research methodologies in the fields of photographic theory and visual studies, and into the application of theories to creative visual production and critical writing. The module will help individual students to select their research topic and to interrogate it from within a framework of visual and textual references.
Image Text Analysis II
This module develops on from Image Text Analysis I through further consideration of the practice of research and the relationship between theory and practice. The module continues to develop student-centred investigations into research methodologies in the fields of photographic theory and visual studies, and into the application of theories to creative visual production and critical writing.
Photographic Concepts and Themes
This module reflects and responds to concepts, themes, and production processes occurring in contemporary photographic practice. Students will engage with learning and understanding photographic contexts, responding to them, and developing their own practice.
Photographic Ecologies
This module reflects and responds to an exploration of landscape, ecology, mapping and place in contemporary photographic practice. Students will engage with learning and understanding differing photographic approaches to viewing landscape, responding to them, and developing their own practice.
Photographic Methods and Approaches
This module reflects and responds to methods, approaches and production processes occurring in contemporary photographic practice. Students will engage with learning and understanding photographic contexts, responding to them, and developing their own practice.
The Figurative Image
This module explores the representation of the figure through photographic portraiture and introduces the issue of identity, fashion, gesture, styling and location. Students will understand how the photographic portrait uses a sophisticated mix of codes to enable the viewer to make decisions about the sitter. Students will experiment with differing photographic approaches to the framing and composition of the figure in portraiture, responding to them, and developing their own practice.
Core modules
Contemporary Photographic Practice
This module encourages you to confirm your individual positions as practitioners working within the diverse field of contemporary photographic practice. Emphasis on independent and critical thinking, decision making and awareness of emerging professional networks will be integral to the successful completion of a portfolio of industry standard exhibition prints and a 2000 word bespoke designed, printed and self-published photographic research journal.
Final Major Project
Through this module you will be required to critically engage with your subject, articulating your ideas through a major body of work that will be presented and celebrated in a public Degree Exhibition in Southampton.
Professional Practice
On this module you will learn the research skills needed to explore the creative industries and the particular sectors that you wish to work in, from this research you will begin to build up a picture of needs of your sector, and the skills that the sector requires in its employees or freelancers.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Coursework
- Creative design projects
- Portfolios
- Assignments
- Films
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in photography?
Roles in photography can be as wide as your creative vision, with everything from work in portrait and event photography, to working on high-profile editorial features for magazines or exhibiting work in art galleries. A large proportion of professional photographers are self-employed. You could also find work with a variety of employers, including creative businesses, publishers and photographic agencies, or in the education and public sectors.
At Solent, you'll be able to develop your creative and technical abilities required for a creative career, and explore your unique styles whilst honing your skills on a variety of equipment and facilities.
You could earn:
Photographer
Typical salary: £25,000
Salaries can increase to anywhere from £25,000 to £65,000. The top end of the scale is typically for those who have a strong reputation and are highly sought-after, which takes years of experience.
Press photographer
Typical salary: £22,000
Salaries reflect the size of circulation of the newspaper and the experience and reputation of the photographer. Quality magazines may offer higher rates. Very experienced photographers can earn anywhere from £25,000 to £60,000.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“Solent has helped by filling my CV with great experiences that have given me confidence and improved my work”
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
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MA Digital Fashion
Gain the skills and knowledge to work in the ever-changing global fashion and technological landscapes – whilst contributing to the sustainable future of the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries.
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MA Post Production in Film and Television
Build your creative post-production skills to make your mark in the film and television industry. Solent’s MA Post Production in Film and Television will see you working with...
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MA Visual Communication
Do you have an eye for design? Would you like to help influence the future of visual communications? Our MA Visual Communication degree is ideal for creatives keen to refine their practice, working as part of an interdisciplinary group of students.
Find out moreTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are not yet available. For guidance, the 2025/26 fees were:
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,535 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2026/27 additional costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous additional costs have been:
You will be required to pay for any materials you use on the development of your projects, however in-lesson course materials are provided.
Compulsory costs
- Foundation year
Portfolios, A4 ring binders, scale rulers, sketchbooks and basic drawing materials will be required: approximately £150.
Printing: £100 - Year one
Darkroom equipment/materials, workbooks, study trips and printing: £300 - Year two
Photographic materials (film, paper), digital printing, mounting, workbooks, study trips, memory sticks and printing: £300-£500 - Final year
Photographic materials (film, paper), stationery, digital printing, mounting, framing degree show, study trips, memory sticks, printing: £300-£600
Optional costs
- Year one
International study trip: £300-£450 - Year two
International study trip: £300-£450 - Year three
International study trip: £300-£450
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Solent EU Welcome Scholarship (Fee Discount)
This scholarship is available to students from an EU country, with EU nationality, who are applying for an undergraduate course starting in September 2025. The scholarship will reduce your tuition fees to £10,500 per year - this includes foundation years.
Find out more about the scholarship
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at MMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D, a T-Level Merit, or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- Direct entry into the second or third year may be considered for this course.
- UK applicants are required to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
How to apply
Want to apply through Clearing? Contact us today
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Find out more about Solent's contextual offers
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
UCAS points: 104-120
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
