Overview

Immerse yourself in our BA (Hons) Commercial Photography. This course is designed to equip you for a thriving career in various fields including fashion, editorial, beauty, advertising, architectural photography, and more. Foster your professional growth with contextual studies and entrepreneurial skills development.

Gain exceptional and cutting-edge image production skills through expert workshops and tuition
Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations with students from courses like graphic design, fashion or fine art.
Explore new technologies like AR/VR and 3D. Benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including access to one of London's largest darkrooms for analogue photography experimentation.

Course options

Select year

Degree

UCAS code: W645 112 UCAS points

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, home applicant, full time
- Home Applicant
- Full time, 3 years
- Pound 9250 per year
Apply through UCAS
BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, home applicant, part time
- Home Applicant
- Part time
- pro-rata full time fee
Apply direct

Degree with foundation year

UCAS code: W645 64 UCAS points

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, home applicant, full time
- Home Applicant
- Full time, 4 years
- Pound 9250 per year
Apply through UCAS

Creating Culture & Artistic Practice with renowned artist, Keef Winter | Makers & Mavericks

Internationally celebrated artist and Head of Visual Arts at UEL, Keef Winter gives us his hot takes on performance art and breaks down his process of creating art that draws crowds around the globe.

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What makes this course different

Commercial networks

You will be studying in East London with access to Europe's largest commercial photographers' networks and our successful photography alumni.

Industry 4.0 career focused

Work on collaborations with students from other subjects and access technical support and subject expertise across other disciplines. This will give you an edge in the competitive job market.

Our facilities

A wide range of facilities are open from 8am-9pm, allowing access to areas like our large Analogue Darkroom.

Course modules

Select year

Commercial Photography BA (Hons) is focused on developing skills that prepare our students to become independent working photographers who can excel as a freelancer or business owner, a partner or an employee in a media company, a studio manager, a creative director, a picture editor, or a skilled retoucher. The programme focuses on research-led practice-based modules that are supported by opportunities offered to the students as photographers, both within and outside of UEL. It is not uncommon for our students to start developing a professional practice while finishing their degree, taking advantage of industry connections made available to them from careers staff, faculty and guest lecturers. The programme has a strong focus on editorial photography (digital and print) but also covers, product, corporate, architecture, and food. Through BA (Hons) Commercial Photography you will gain fresh perspectives and approaches (divergent thinking) giving you an edge in the competitive job market, and skills for the fourth industrial age (4iR). You will have the chance to collaborate with students from Fine Art, Graphic Design and Fashion gaining access to the exchange of skills, technical support and subject expertise across disciplines.

Contextual Studies in the first term equips you to understand the history of fine art, and its relevance today. The module comprises thematic lectures, seminars, screenings and field trips as well as keystone research and writing skills such as the use of citation, referencing and academic integrity appropriate to undergraduate study. The module content will support the development of your practical work on the adjoining modules. At the end of the module, you will have developed the skills for analysing and contextualising your own work, and that of your peers.

This module serves as a rigorous introduction to creative practice, an overview of fundamental skills that will enable experimentation and application, and the development of your own working practice. The module aims to provide you with an introduction to practical and critical study, to understand the role of research in creative practice and in supporting the development of creative projects. The approach aims to imbue an experimental and open-minded attitude that enhances levels of production and strengthens adaptability, personal confidence and the ability to creatively solve visual ideas. Through experimental and production of work, you will begin to understand your work in relation to research and feel empowered. The module allows students to discuss and develop their work with the help of group critiques and views of others in the enhancement of ideas through to creative outcomes.

At the end of the module, you will be able to begin to self-manage the development of a creative practice and to disseminate ideas.

This module introduces you to a further range of processes and practices, skills and knowledge, through a series of workshops, projects and electives to extend your practice.

Technical introductions and workshops enable you to broaden the scope of your skills and practice, as well as specific workshops pertinent to contemporary processes and methods, including a range of analogue and digital tools.

These skills and processes are introduced and discussed in relation to the development of a visual language applicable to contemporary fine art, graphic design, illustration, photography and animation practice.

The module allows you to present your work to audiences, testing your ideas and concepts, and receiving feedback feeding forward to your practice and to level 5 of study. Cross-disciplinary exhibitions are encouraged as well as inter-disciplinary discourse.

The module Practice into Research supports the module and allows you to contextualise your practice in the form of a presentation of your work.

You will begin to establish an intellectual framework within which you can begin to understand a relationship between theory and your own practice. You will begin to contribute critically in the seminars, in relation to contemporary and historical research methodologies. The module is supported by one-to-one tutorials. At the end of the module, you would have developed the skills for analysing and contextualising your own work, to be applied further in the second year of your study. The outcome of this module is both a presentation of your practice or research area and a written work.

The lectures are complemented by tutor-led discussions focusing on student work in progress, interrogating the practical work within the context established by the lectures in order to promote deeper understanding and extend creative ambition.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will begin to recognise the areas for your own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.

Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate the reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement, and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. You will additionally develop knowledge of strategies to advance your own physical intelligence through 'lifestyle' and 'self-care' approaches to inform their health and wellbeing.

Having acquired understanding of the key developmental areas, you will have opportunity to join in-house activities as a trainee, mentored and supervised by students from higher years. In this position you will learn and begin to apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligences developed elsewhere in your studies (and from external activities) as required in the workplace, namely cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, motivation, ethical decision-making, managing your audience, coordinating with others, negotiation, creativity, active listening, attention, problem-solving, research, synthesis and analysis.

At Contextual Studies Level 5, you will consolidate and continue to advance the theories and research methodologies introduced at Level 4. In addition, you will begin to build a critical thinking and understanding of contemporary art and design production, dissemination and reception within an expanded field. By addressing the historical, political, economic, social, environmental and ethical aspects of art and design, this module aims to equip you with the main discussions concerning these issues, and the space to test your understanding of them about art and design practice (your own, and that of your peers).

The module develops your advanced conceptual skills and analytical abilities, research and writing skills appropriate to the study of art and design at this level, feeding directly into key studio projects across the year so that the research methodologies we develop may be tested and deeper connections between practice and theory explored.

The module is further supported by opportunities for first-hand encounters with visual art and design in London art galleries, museums and art institutions.

The module enables you to expand on the skills and knowledge from level 4, encouraging you to take risks, try new things, and not to be afraid of learning through mistakes and failure to develop your practice. This, in turn, will help you to begin to define your individual approach to fine art, fine art technology, graphic design, design interaction, illustration, animation and photography.

The emphasis of this module will be on research and the development of a body of references that supports practice-based outcomes, supported by the Contextual Studies module.

The module builds on the technical processes introduced through workshops and technical demonstrations at Level 4, focusing on developing your advanced technical skills and locating your work in relevant professional and creative contexts. The module equips you to experiment with and make appropriate use of materials, processes, and technologies, showing an understanding of quality standards and attention to detail.

The module delivery includes advanced workshops/masterclasses by tutors who are working in the industry /industry connections/ visits to industry or e.g. professional production companies.

The module supports the development of work in other level 5 modules.

The module will allow you to develop your practice as an artist, design thinker, illustrator, animator and photographer. The module develops an individual working practice supported by group seminars and one to one tutorials. It also introduces you to working collaboratively via presentation of work at the end of year showcase.

The module enables you to expand on the skills and knowledge from level 4, encouraging you to take risks, try new things, not to be afraid of learning through mistakes and failure to develop your practice. At the end of the module you will be able to begin to self-manage the development of a creative practice, install and exhibit your work, and disseminate ideas to audiences.

The module will prepare you to undertake an independent project in their discipline of fine art, fine art technology, graphic design, design interaction, illustration, animation, photography in level 6.

The module continues to build your critical thinking and understanding of contemporary art and design production, dissemination and reception within an expanded field. The module aims to equip you with the space to test your understanding of theories and debates in relation to and reference to your own work and practice.

You will draw connections between theoretical approaches and your own practice in the form of a written piece of work/ document.

At the end of the module, you will produce a 200-word critical rationale in preparation for your choice of a level 6 research into practice route.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance is increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will help you apply several skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will advance the areas identified at level 4 for your personal and professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence) through taught and workshop activities.

Through engagement with the Career Passport, you will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘self-care’ approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.

You can select in-house microbusiness/ life briefs and commissions to join in the role of ‘producer’. In this position you will take on a specific production role, working collaboratively with peers and academic staff on a live project. You will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligence learnt elsewhere in your studies (and external development) required in the workplace. In addition to the intelligence developed in the level 4 Mental Wealth module, you will also focus on service orientation, self-discipline & management, reaction & response time, cognitive & muscle memory, managing stress, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, research, synthesis & analysis.

Main topics of study:

The module will enable you to apply and develop further a variety of skills-based competencies explored at level 4. They include self-awareness and regulation; mindfulness; emotional resilience; motivation; ethical decision-making; active listening; self-discipline and management; attention; reaction and response time; cognitive and muscle memory; managing stress; physical resilience; and subject knowledge. You will rehearse and apply these skills in your creative practice modules. You will apply and develop new competencies including cognitive flexibility; managing an audience; co-ordinating with others, negotiation; creativity; leadership and entrepreneurship; service orientation; critical thinking; complex problem-solving; research synthesis and analysis.

Working on client briefs/competitions/commissions to a professional outcome that meets the needs of the client/commissioner/audiences
Considering your practice through project work that will have a positive social impact on the wider society
Attending and engaging in the cluster employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the Art and Design Industry. The Detour Ahead programme includes a week of interdisciplinary practitioners talking about their route to professional success. The week also includes professional practice knowledge such as copyright and licensing, freelancing, and tax; giving the level 5 students more in-depth understanding to apply for your own professional life.
Application of creative coding for visual practitioners
Performing roles and responsibilities of creative teams including communication, co-ordinating with others, negotiation; creativity; leadership and entrepreneurship; critical thinking; complex problem solving; research synthesis and analysis.
Developing and editing creative industries CV and cover letter and the format and tone of this for potential work placements and experience over summer break between levels 5 and 6
Creation of a digital public profile

The emphasis of will be to provide a distinctive area of study appropriate to the work-based focus. The internship undertaken should show as much integration as possible of the abilities across academic modules already completed. This may vary from one student to the next, and the internship will ideally be tailored to the interests and aspirations of the student, whether they are currently employed in the Industry or not, but ultimately meet the needs of employers. The subject discipline may vary widely, however the emphasis should be on applying existing knowledge and skills in work place rather than new knowledge.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, designers, illustrators, animators and photographers.

The module does this by introducing choice. We ask you to reflect their idea of what your own practice might be, filling gaps of knowledge or extending their skill set. It's about you setting the terms and direction of travel, exploring in an extensive and critical way.

The work in this module will be developed through extensive research and practical testing of ideas and processes, informed by critical, contextual, historical, conceptual, economic, social and ethical research.

Self-critique and responsiveness to the views of others is important part of the module in the development of your ideas and proposal.

At the end of the module you will have proposed and refined your own agenda for term 2 negotiated body of work to be presented at the degree showcase at the end of the academic year.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive to your discipline, and respond to differentiated assessments needs. The commercial photography Research into Practice route is a group research project, responding to the working practices and visual culture of commercial photographers.

The commercial photography Research into Practice module is a project that aims to test all of the research methods and critical thinking skills you have acquired from level 4 and 5, and contribute them to a visual group research project that is informed by a shared subject (which is negotiated annually). As well as demonstrating through writing and discussion a level analysis of visual and theoretical subjects appropriate to your final year of study, the aim of this module is to augment academic practice (research, writing, discussion, presentations) with material research based on studio practice (experimentation, skill development, processes and techniques).

As individuals, you will present their response to the shared research subject together with a supporting document that captures the key research, analysis and argumentation that links theory to their own commercial photography practice.

You will produce a final outcome based on this presentation, which is public-facing and utilises appropriate media. Each student's response will depend on their position as a commercial photographer who is aware of key commercial photography concepts and who understands their responsibilities in a contemporary society.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, graphic designers, illustrators, animators and photographers. You will produce an independent negotiated project, that enables you to work towards your own agenda and own it. The module allows you to develop and apply advanced creative processes to a professional outcome showcased at a public exhibition of the work at the University. This readies you for your next objective; employment or postgraduate study.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, graphic designers, illustrators, animators and photographers. During part B of the Independent Major Project, you will finalise the production of the independently negotiated project, culminating in a presentation at the degree showcase.

The module allows you to develop and apply advanced production methods to a professional outcome showcased at a public exhibition of the work at the University. Each student will contribute towards the planning, production and curation of the Degree Showcase. This readies you for your next objective; employment or postgraduate study.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to apply the full range of skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will advance the areas identified at level 5 for your own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence) through taught and workshop activities.

Through engagement with the Career Passport, you will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to further develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘self-care’ approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.

You will have the opportunity to select in-house microbusiness/life briefs and commissions to join in the role of ‘manager’. In this position, you will oversee the successful operation of the enterprise, coach and mentor students new to the programme and lead those working in ‘producer’ roles. Working collaboratively with peers and academic staff, you will ensure the effective delivery of a live project by managing people and physical resources. In doing so you will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligence learnt elsewhere in your studies (and from external activities) required in the workplace.

You will have the opportunity to enter external facing industry / live briefs such as D&AD New Blood Awards, AOP Student Awards, Sony student competition, Lensculture, Life Framer etc. in order to leverage your raise and improve your employment prospects.

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

Your future career

The shift to digital technology and distribution has created new opportunities for photographers and recent graduates. As a graduate of our Commercial Photography course, you will be well-equipped to handle the technical demands of the modern photography industry.

Industry links

Recent visitors to UEL have included influential figures from the photography industry. These include Emma Bowkett from FT Weekend Magazine, former British Vogue picture editor Mike Trow, and representatives from Morel Books, Metro Imaging, the Association of Photographers, TJ Boulting Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.

Graduate employers

The majority of the BA (Hons) Commercial Photography graduates will work as self-employed and/or freelance. They may start work as photography assistants gradually progressing into freelance photography or they may set up their own studios/ entrepreneurial ventures such as magazines. Increasingly graduates may take on roles such as

producer
project manager
social media manager
digital marketing and design or
marketing and PR.

Job roles

BA (Hons) Photography graduates have pursued a wide range of successful careers. They work as freelance and studio photographers specialising in areas such as fashion, portraiture, interior, and product photography. Many graduates have also found roles in film and media, including documentary and feature film directing, camera operation, and video production. Additionally, some alumni have established their own businesses in photography, location scouting, and studio management. Organisations they've gone on to work for are Net-a-Porter Group, White Rabbit Studio and the Espero Studio.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.

Further study

You could undertake further study in

BA photography degree showcase visual arts

With the well-equipped facilities it has given me the opportunity to experiment with new types of materials and mediums, which have all pushed me creatively and learnt lots of new technical skills from.

Phillip Christou

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including:

Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
1-2-1 career coaching services
Careers workshops and employer events
Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

Work-based projects
Networking and visits to leading organisations
Support in starting a new business
London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist facilities, such as game labs, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Guided independent study

We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.

Academic support

Students are supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, and former and current UEL students.

Dedicated personal tutor

If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Workload

Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:

Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.

Class sizes

The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.

Campus and facilities

Our campus and the surrounding area

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.

Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.

Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.

The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and London City Airport is just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.

Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

What our students and staff say

"UEL is a space to freely experiment and explore, where learning is never confined to the classroom."

Adam Wiseman

Senior lecturer and course leader for BA (Hons) Commercial Photography

Studying at UEL has been the best decision I ever made. I was unsure if I would fit in as a mature student, but my age provided me with experience that was an advantage. I worked well with my fellow students and my lecturers. I have learned so much about photography, but also about subjects relating to photography like putting together books and curating exhibitions, which has and continues to benefit my career. Studying here has improved my knowledge and technical skills as well as my confidence, giving me contacts in the industry and a bunch of new, creative friends."

Karin Bultje

BA (Hons) Photography graduate

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Commercial Photography BA (Hons)

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Course options

Degree

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, home applicant, full time

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, home applicant, part time

Degree with foundation year

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography

BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, home applicant, full time

Submitting your applicationPlease read and consider the entry and visa requirements for this course before you submit your application. For more information please visit our international student advice pages.

About our foundation years

Creating Culture & Artistic Practice with renowned artist, Keef Winter | Makers & Mavericks

What makes this course different

Commercial networks

Industry 4.0 career focused

Our facilities

Course modules

Contextual Studies 1 Core Module

Practice 1 Core Module

Experimentation and Application 1A Core Module

Experimentation and Application 1B Core Module

Research into Practice 1 Core Module

Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth) Core Module

Contextual Studies 2 Core Module

Practice 2 Core Module

Advanced Experimentation and Applications Core Module

Advanced Practice Core Module

Research into Practice 2 Core Module

Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth) Core Module

Industrial Sandwich Placement Optional Module

Practice 3 Core Module

Research into Practice 3 – Commercial Photography Core Module

Independent Major Project Part A Core Module

Independent Major Project Part B Core Module

Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth) Core Module

Download course specification

Your future career

Industry links

Graduate employers

Job roles

Further study

How we support your career ambitions

Career Zone

Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

How you'll learn

Guided independent study

Academic support

Dedicated personal tutor

Workload

Your timetable

Class sizes

How you'll be assessed

Campus and facilities

Our campus and the surrounding area

Who teaches this course

DiscoverUni

What our students and staff say

Related courses

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Modal

Terms of Admittance to the University of East London

1) Student enrolment

2) Tuition fees

3) Student ID Cards

4) Proof of qualifications

5) Non-academic entry requirements

6) Criminal convictions

7) Providing false information to UEL

8) Continued enrolment and student status

9) Changes to scheduled programmes

10) Changes to these terms

11) Data Protection

12) Legal basis for use of data

13) Intellectual property

Submitting your application
Please read and consider the entry and visa requirements for this course before you submit your application. For more information please visit our international student advice pages.