A-LEVELPHOTOGRAPHY

AWARD

A-Level Art & Design - Photography

DURATION

2 Years (Full-Time)

UCAS POINTS

Up to 56 (depending on grade outcome)

CAMPUS

Middlesbrough

COURSE DETAILS

Develop your creative eye, technical skill and visual voice. This course is for aspiring photographers who want to explore photography as an expressive and academic subject.

Over two years, you’ll dive into the world of photography - learning how to craft powerful, original imagery across a variety of techniques and styles. You’ll develop strong practical skills in both digital and analogue photography, using professional cameras, lighting, editing software and darkroom processes.

The course focuses on personal expression, visual storytelling, and critical thinking. You’ll study the work of influential photographers, explore historical and contemporary themes, and produce your own responses through sketchbooks, photo shoots and final pieces.

A major component of the course is the Personal Investigation - your chance to choose a theme, explore it through creative and contextual research, and develop a body of work that showcases your unique perspective. You’ll also complete an externally set assignment in your second year.

Studying A-Level Photography at a specialist art school means access to outstanding facilities, experienced photographers as tutors, and a creative community of like-minded students. This course provides the perfect stepping stone to university, art school or creative employment.

WHERE COULD IT TAKE YOU?

COURSE INFORMATION

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

  • Develop technical and creative photography skills
  • Learn darkroom techniques, DSLR shooting, and editing in Adobe Photoshop
  • Explore photography as a fine art and academic subject
  • Build a portfolio and sketchbook for HE or progression to art foundation

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • 5 GCSEs inc. Maths (9-4/A*-C) & GCSE English Language (9-4/A*-C)
  • 1 portfolio of artwork
  • Evidence of written work

A-LEVELS

Our A-level students are encouraged to participate in a range of activities to support their understanding of creative arts and their future career and job roles. Students on the A-level pathways have also successfully taken part in national competitions, such as The Knitting & Stitching Show, created video content for the Department of Education and taught online to primary schools. We also think it is really important to explore the issues that impact on our students and recent teaching modules have explored knife crime, environmental issues and art, social media and its impact on mental health.

Our students progress to a wide range of different study and learning, including The University of York, Leeds Arts University, University Arts London, York St John University, Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as The Northern School of Art degree programmes. On the A-level pathway, students also have access to a range of workshops and skills talks provided by practising professionals from across the creative industries as well as higher education and degree-level lecturers - each session provides essential advice and insight into planning for a successful career as a creative professional.

LEARNER HOURS

Our Further Education study programmes are designed to meet the guided learner hours as per their funding bodies.

AWARDING BODY

All students are awarded qualifications under their official A-Level title, as listed in the header.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying here?

It is a excellent college for you if you are creative, expressive and overall looking to work alongside likeminded people in a fun environment.

Aimee Rose Johnson
A-Levels

IMAGE GALLERY

OUTSTANDING Student Experience

The Northern College of Art had an exceptional history for its further education when formerly known as The Northern School of Art, and Cleveland College of Art and Design prior to that. The institution previously achieved an Ofsted rating of Outstanding in 2009, and held it consecutively across all inspections until the last inspection under the Education Inspection Framework in 2025. The institution is one of only a handful of colleges to make this achievement.

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