Plymouth College of Art
Commercial Photography BA (Hons)
Plymouth College of Art

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 25 graduates of Commercial Photography BA (Hons) and other courses in computer games and animation at Plymouth College of Art for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in computer games and animation.

Overall student satisfaction
80 /100
25 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in cinematics and photography

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of computer games and animation at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £16000 £15000 £17500
25-75 percentile range £15000 - £23000 £10500 - £19000 £12500 - £22500


Salary of all UK Graduates of cinematics and photography

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21707 £18425 £21575
25-75 percentile range £18845 - £25536 £13333 - £23001 £16336 - £27629

Course Description

Arts University Plymouth is an arts university for the 21st century, preparing students who are uniquely placed to provide creative solutions to the complex global challenges of a changing world. Formerly known as Plymouth College of Art, we were granted full university title in Spring 2022. We are now the city of Plymouth’s first and only specialist arts university, allowing us to offer our students a dynamic and unique learning experience.

In May 2022 we were awarded the Best Small or Specialist University at the 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards, coming top in a list of well-respected specialist UK universities, based on unbiased and honest reviews from students across the UK, in a category that highlights the quality of our provision as a specialist creative university.

From lighting and framing a dramatic fashion shot to visualising concepts for advertising campaigns, commercial photography has the power to influence and inspire. Our BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course will help you succeed in today’s dynamic and competitive photographic industry, providing you with the knowledge and skills to flourish, combining visual awareness and innovation with technical excellence, professional understanding and business competencies.

This course will equip you with advanced technical skills in studio and location lighting, digital capture and post-production techniques. This is an integrated programme of study with industry-oriented assignments, hands-on workshops and expert tuition, using sophisticated camera and lighting equipment. You will also develop your industry knowledge and professional skills to enable you to find work in high-end commercial photographic practice.

Our curriculum is geared towards employability and enterprise. We develop photographers who are technically proficient, visually sophisticated and professionally astute – who understand trends in the industry and how to pitch for business, and who graduate with a broad range of transferable skills that enable them to succeed in the creative industries.

Working both individually and in interdisciplinary groups and with real-world mentors, you’ll gain vocational experience to be able flourish both academically and professionally. You will acquire a broad range of entrepreneurial abilities in marketing, self-promotion and business development, enabling you to develop a financially sustainable practice, fundamental to your success in the industry.

With support from our teaching and technical team, as well as practitioners from industry, you’ll develop your confidence in responding to client briefs while demonstrating creative problem-solving and conceptualisation skills. In your second year, you’ll work with real industry clients to build a professional portfolio. You’ll also benefit from our affiliation with the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP). Our curriculum includes a rich schedule of visiting lecturers and photographers, and we are regularly visited by talented photography alumni, including industry professionals such as Harry Borden, Suki Dhanda, Tom Oldham and Candice Farmer. Many alumni also provide work placement and assisting opportunities. You’ll also be encouraged to enter graduate showcases and awards; one of our recent graduates won Best in Show – first runner-up, at Free Range 2019.

We create an environment in which commercial photographers can develop their professional practice and gain a wide range of skills and knowledge, enabling them to shape their futures and make a positive impact in the photographic industries.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Commercial Photography BA (Hons) at Plymouth College of Art

35% Secretarial and related occupations
30% Media Professionals
10% Skilled trades occupations
10% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
5% Protective service occupations
5% Administrative occupations

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for computer games and animation

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

IELTS (Level B2):overall score of 6.0 with minimum scores Listening: 5.5, Speaking: 5.5, Reading: 5.5, Writing: 5.5

Trinity ISE

Integrated Skills in English II (Level B2), minimum grades required: Reading: Pass Listening: Pass

Plymouth is the largest city in the county of Devon, and the safest big city in south-west England, listed in the top ten safest cities in the UK. The city has excellent travel links via car, train and ferry, with direct train services to London Paddington and the rest of the country and easy access to three nearby airports (Bristol, Newquay and Exeter). Plymouth is the gateway to the South West of England and is approximately 3 hours from London by train. The best airport to fly into is London Heathrow, which has a direct rail line to Paddington station. Our dedicated international team will be able to support you throughout your application and enrolment with us, giving you expert advice and guidance on everything you need, from accommodation to what to do once you arrive in the UK.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Commercial Photography, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Commercial Photography BA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £16500 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £16500 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2

About Plymouth College of Art

Plymouth College of Art is a specialised school of art and design, located in the English city of Plymouth. Their campus can be found in the city centre, divided over four separate buildings. Each building provides the modern facilities that are used for subjects such as Fine Art, Filmmaking, Animation, among many others.

List of 36 Bachelor and Master Courses from Plymouth College of Art - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Plymouth College of Art

undergraduates:
910
postgraduates:
45
Total:
955
  • Alex's Student Vlog
  • Postgrad student talks about life at Plymouth College of Art

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Fashion Photography (with Integrated Foundation & Professional Practice Years) BA (Hons) University for the Creative Arts 61% 7% 5% £9250 £17500 134 Canterbury On campus Full-time
Fashion Photography BA (Hons) University of Bolton 61% 5% 7% £9250 £40650 110 Bolton On campus Full-time
Photography (with Foundation) BA (Hons) University of Gloucestershire 80% 7% 7% £9250 £15000 £15450 126 Cheltenham On campus Full-time
Photography BA (Hons) Teesside University 82% 10% 20% £9250 £15000 143 Middlesbrough On campus Full-time
Photography (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Bath Spa University 64% 5% 15% £9250 £17585 98 Bath On campus Full-time
Photography with Foundation Year BA (Hons) University of Derby - - - £9250 £14900 - Derby On campus Full-time
Photography BA (Hons) University of Bolton 61% 0% 0% £9250 £40650 119 Bolton On campus Full-time
Photography BA (Hons) Sheffield Hallam University 81% 9% 10% £9250 £15860 £16655 135 Sheffield On campus Full-time
Photography with Video BA (Hons) Ulster University 55% 5% 15% £9250 £15840 £16320 141 Coleraine On campus Full-time
Photography/Art History BA (Hons) Aberystwyth University 93% 5% 45% £9000 £16520 131 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time