COURSE OVERVIEW

Duration: 2 Years, Full-Time Entry Requirements: 5 GCSEs inc. Maths (9-4/A*-C) & GCSE English Language grade 5+ UCAS points: up to 56 (depending on grade outcome) Campus: Middlesbrough 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. 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 All students are awarded qualifications under their ocial A-Level title, as listed in the header.

COURSE DETAILS

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? • Fine Art Photographer • Commercial Photographer • Photojournalist • Fashion or Editorial Photographer • Creative Director • Content Creator • Visual Artist • Teacher or Academic (with further study) • Filmmaker or Cinematographer • Art Foundation or Degree in Photography or Visual Arts • Curator or Gallery Assistant
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.


The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus has been given another ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted. Following an intensive four-day inspection by six inspectors the School’s further education provision has retained the top rating it has held since 2009.

Find out more!

APPLY FOR THIS COURSE ONLINE

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

YEARS COURSE DURATION

A MINIMUM OF FIVE GCSES AT A*-C/9-4 INCLUDING MATHS AND ENGLISH AT MINIMUM C/4 GRADE PLUS A PORTFOLIO OF ARTWORK AND EVIDENCE OF WRITTEN WORK.

MAXIMUM UCAS POINTS SCORE FOR FINAL GRADES

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