Photography has a strong history and tradition that has helped shape societies attitudes over much of the last two centuries both within the fields of contemporary art as well as design and communication. If anything the importance of the medium is becoming more crucial in all aspects of commercial and creative practice with the development of global mass communication.

Photography at UEL develops from traditional darkroom and studio practice. It enables students to develop a sound knowledge of the medium, both practical/commercial and theoretical as well as exploring their own creative and imaginative language. Because of this approach it is possible for students to grow and expand their practice into related practices like; print, film, video and digital media.

The programme can be studied full-time for 3 years or in a part-time mode. It has a modular structure that enables students to study it as a Single, Major, Joint or Minor honours programme. This allows combinations to be built with its sister programmes in Digital Arts and Visual Communication and also other programmes in the School of Architecture and The Visual Arts and also the University as part of our Combined Honours menu.

The learning environment is centred on the individual, with Learning outcomes directly aligned with the assessment criteria, and following headings outline the components within the teaching and learning strategy.

Group Projects

Programme work where you work as part of a team with a group of your peers

Studio Project work

Studio based work undertaken by an individual or group of students in collaboration with project tutors. It includes an intro briefing, discussion on progress and development of ideas

Professional Practice

Students are encouraged to develop a strong ethos and understanding of professional practice; this can take the form of work placements, study visits, exhibitions, international exchanges, visiting professionals talks, etc.

Self-Initiated work

These are structured projects based on your own written proposal, agreed and discussed with your programme or module tutor with agreed aims and outcomes.

Seminars

These are small mixed sessions (from one or more area, or year group), discussing a project or contextual issue and sharing views and experiences.

Lectures

Group teaching of your year or with other year groups at the same time, usually around a particular topic delivered by one or more tutors

Workshops

Practical demonstrations and hands on learning takes place, as well as facilitation of your own self-initiated projects. Introductory workshops are normally undertaken in relation to project work as part of the module. Later in the programme, project proposal forms identify your needs and these are agreed with your pathway staff and the technical demonstrators. These are available in keeping with access and entitlement as well as satisfying Health and Safety requirements.

Study visits

These are trips to external venues such as museums or relevant places often as part of a module or project but can be whole year groups with tutors identified as responsible for the visit.

The programme has a mixed menu of 20 and 40 credit modules which vary in their assessment. Students will be required to present work for assessment in the form of exhibition, portfolio presentation, oral presentation or in the form of an evaluative learning journal, report or essay.

20 credit modules are assessed at the end of each semester and 40 credit modules are assessed at the end of each year, with the marks from year 2 and 3 used to formulate the final degree award.

The programme contains a professional practice module, which enables students a variety of opportunities to undertake or engage in aspects of the professional arena. This includes visits from renowned professionals and can include any work placements, international exchanges or exhibition opportunities, study trips. These are monitored through a self evaluation/ learning journal of the experience.

In year one all modules are project led. These vary from module to module but most are design to inculcate a creative and imaginative response as well as introduce the practice and mediums related to photography and lens media.

The programme is sited in a purpose built, new Architecture and Visual Arts building on our landmark Docklands Campus. This is in turn situated in the creative heartland of London, an area of exciting new media activity and also and area about to undergo dynamic regeneration and change as preparation for the 2012 Olympics. The campus is adjacent to Excel, Canary Wharf, Docklands airport and the new international rail terminus for Europe at Stratford. East London also represents the quintessential multicultural environment on the doorstep of 2000 years of cultural history.

• Photography: Art, Commercial, Fashion
• Film and video
• Digital media
• Animation
• Visual communication
• Media

• Being creative,
• using your imagination,
• problem solving,
• a challenge,
• working in groups,
• field work,
• developing your independence and social skills

• To learn a range of different camera formats from SLR, medium format and new digital technologies.
• To develop a practical awareness of different studio lighting techniques, work with different photographic genres;
• To develop an understanding of the work of important practitioners historically and within the industry.
• To gain practical understanding of the relationship of new and emerging technologies on photographic processes.
• To have the opportunity to work with other creative, artists, and designers, fashion designers within the School and within the industry.

Career opportunities in photographic and image-related industries; Commercial Photography, TV and Film, Media, Archive/documentation, Advertising, Photographic illustration, Research, Post graduate, Artist or Designer.

UEL provides a comprehensive range of support services for students which includes: residential/student finance advice/careers advice/study skills development/IT/learning resources. The programme provides strong personal tutor guidance and professional advice related to the practice. Visiting artists, designers and other professional practitioners regularly visit the programme and study trips to working environments are an important component.

UEL
East London environment offers excellent access to galleries, libraries, museums and collections. The proximity of a wide range of creative industries enables regular visits from industry professionals from all subject areas.

Linton Education Group
The Linton Education Group Mantin campus offers excellent recreational facilities for sports and social engagement. The university runs organized trips and regular university bus services to towns and centers in Malaysia. The School’s collaborative arrangement with the University of East London offers opportunities for travel and exchange to the UK.

Barking & Dagenham College
Barking & Dagenham College offers excellent specialist photography facilities on campus, and provides good materials and equipment support through it’s sponsorship relationships with key photographic suppliers.