BA (Hons) Photography with Lens Based Practices
Elevate your photography career with Northbrook College’s BA (Hons) Photography degree.
Shape your unique visual voice and build a professional-level portfolio with our tailored, dynamic study program. Our course is designed to optimise your skills through experimental and exploratory projects. In your final year, you’ll develop a specialised portfolio culminating in a major public exhibition, preparing you for a creative career in the industry.
Course Overview
- Location: Northbrook College, Worthing, West Sussex, England
- UCAS code: W642
- Institution Code: C57
- Duration: 3 years full-time
- Application deadline: 29 May 2026
- Start date: September 2026
- Tuition Fees: £16,500
Entry requirements
- 2 A-Levels and 3 GCSEs in other subjects grade 9-4 or A-C (or equivalent)
OR 1 A-Level, a Foundation course and 3 GCSEs in other subjects grade 9-4 or A-C (or equivalent) - A portfolio of work is also needed to demonstrate ability in the specialist area.
Contact us to compare overseas qualifications to the UK education system
English language requirements
IELTS certificate or equivalent with an overall score of 6.0, 6.0 in the writing element and 5.5 in all other sub-elements.
Your application will be assessed based on your grades, interview, portfolio, and any experience.
Career: Photography Graduate Prospects
Graduates of this dynamic course pursue diverse and compelling careers across the creative sector. Potential roles are wide-ranging and include:
- Freelance Photographer
- Photographer's Assistant
- Portrait Photographer
- Picture Desk Assistant
- Photo Editor
- Press Photographer
- Specialist Photographer in fields such as fashion, travel, architecture and even forensics!
- and so many more
Our students build essential industry connections and gain hands-on experience by working commercially for photographers and magazines, and undertaking commission-based projects. Many alumni successfully launch their own freelance photography businesses or form creative partnerships upon graduation.
Whether you aim to capture breathtaking images or work behind the scenes in visual media, this programme opens the door to a full spectrum of photography jobs and possibilities.
Course Information
Throughout our program, you won't just study—you'll work like a professional from day one. You’ll tackle live briefs for real-world clients, build invaluable industry connections, and master essential business skills like confident self-promotion and smart pricing strategies. By the time you graduate, you'll have a powerful, ready-to-use professional online presence, a strong portfolio, and the practical experience needed to thrive in the dynamic creative industries! That's not all, the prestigious University of the Arts London (UAL) will award your degree.
Course Content
Course content
Ready to dive into the world of modern photography?
Lens-based practice is your ticket to creating amazing images and video using cameras and cutting-edge gear! It’s about more than just a single snapshot; it's a dynamic exploration that spans classic darkroom techniques, digital art, film, and contemporary video production. This is the essential skill set you need to succeed in today’s creative world, truly!
Our BA (Hons) Photography with Lens-Based Practices course at Northbrook is specifically designed to unlock your full creative potential. You’ll thrive on a vibrant mix of hands-on workshops, compelling lectures, and independent projects, all supported by our expert staff.
To complete your expertise, you'll complement your studio work with modules focused on photography history and theory. This essential context helps you understand your craft while fully developing your academic writing skills.
Teaching Method
Teaching Method
A dynamic blend of theory and intense hands-on experience!
- Lectures & Seminars: Grasp key ideas, photography theory, and essential concepts, followed by engaging discussions to deepen your understanding.
- Workshops & Studio Practice: Gain intensive hands-on experience in our specialised facilities. You'll master core techniques, moving swiftly into advanced, experimental photography and studio practice.
- Independent Study: Dedicated time for self-directed learning and personal research, helping you develop as a confident, independent artist and ensuring strong portfolio development.
- Tutorials: Receive personalised feedback and guidance on your work during one-on-one or small-group sessions with our expert staff.
- Live Projects: Work on real-world live briefs with clients and partners, gaining invaluable industry networking opportunities and professional experience.
- Creative Community: Engage in group critiques to hone your creative problem-solving skills, collaborate with other creative students, and learn from top visiting speakers.
Key Features
Key Features
Our programme gives you a broad, adaptable skillset, specifically designed for a career in the creative industries.
You benefit from:
- Interdisciplinary Approach & Shaping Your Course: You get to design your own learning journey, focusing on your unique interests.
- Industry-Standard Facilities and Technical Support: Work with top-tier equipment in our studios and darkrooms, with constant technical help available.
- Collaborative Studio Environment: Learn and grow within a supportive, shared space.
- Collaborative and Industry-Focused Learning: Gain Real-World Experience through Professional and External Engagement, working on live briefs with other students and external partners to build a vital professional network.
- Career Skills: We provide full Career Preparation and Business Readiness training, teaching you how to price your work, handle business planning, and successfully start your own creative career.
Course Structure
Year One
Year One
The first year is all about giving you a strong foundation in lens-based practice! We kick off with the basics you need to master —light, aperture, and shutter speed. You'll get plenty of hands-on experience across diverse areas, including studio work, darkroom techniques, exciting alternative processes, and modern post-production editing. Later on, advanced workshops will quickly boost your technical and critical skills. We encourage you to start exploring the deeper meaning in your images and to develop your unique artistic style confidently. By the time the year finishes, you'll have the comprehensive skills to tackle any creative projects you choose successfully!
- Unit 1: Fundamentals of Photography and Lens-Based Techniques
- Unit 2: Investigating Lens-Based Practices
- Unit 3: Digital Editorial
- Unit 4: Cultural & Contextual Studies
- Unit 5: Independent Project 1
Year Two
Year Two
Level 5 is designed for deep growth! In your second year, you'll significantly advance your creative style. The focus shifts to critical analysis of your own work, teaching you how to use photography to engage with and interpret the world around you powerfully. For real-world impact, you'll have the fantastic opportunity to engage in a professional project and learn through collaboration, gaining the essential practical experience employers value.
- Unit 6: Image-Based Narrative
- Unit 7: Professional Practice
- Unit 8: Advanced Cultural and Contextual Studies
- Unit 9: Independent Project 2
Year Three
Year Three
This final year is dedicated to helping you achieve expert-level proficiency with your unique photographic style and to crafting a professional portfolio that opens doors. We give you the creative freedom to design your projects around your specific career goals. For essential industry experience, you’ll work on a live project for a real client, getting you completely comfortable with professional collaboration and managing briefs. To cap it all off, you’ll exhibit your final portfolio and participate in the curation process, giving you critical insight into how to market and present yourself as a professional artist!
- Unit 10: Specialist Practice
- Unit 11: Collaborative Project
- Unit 12: Creative and Critical Research Project
- Unit 13: Professional Identity
- Unit 14: Personal Showcase
