Photography - Year 0

Why study with us?

To see much more of what we do please visit our photography student website:

http://cumbriaphotography.ning.com/

The Photography Year 0 can effectively be the first year of the degree course, for applicants who may not achieve the UCAS tariff for year one entry, or may need further preparation for degree level education.

The course aims to give you the practical and critical experience you need for degree-level education. It is therefore an ideal route onto the BA (Hons) Photography programme.

What can this course lead to?

The tutors will give you a strong grounding in the principles and practice of photography. You explore a variety of lens-based media through contemporary and traditional ways of working.

The year is structured to give you the skills and confidence you need and to prepare you for year one on the undergraduate programme. The emphasis initially is on experimentation and exploration using a variety of techniques and processes.

You work on assignments on location and in the studios. You are shown how to use a camera, how to be a creative image-maker, and how to print your images to a high standard. Your work is supported by a hands-on technical module and skills workshops, introducing you to a variety of cameras, lighting and post-production methods.

As a complement to practice, you study the history of photography, where it has come from, where it is now and where it is going. You are encouraged to articulate your ideas and develop a personal approach to your work.

Successful completion of the BA (Hons) Photography Year 0 gives you automatic progression to year one of the BA (Hons) Photography undergraduate programme.

Resources and facilities

There is a wide range of specialist resources available for almost every conceivable photographic outcome. You have available a range of contemporary equipment, including Nikon digital cameras, professional digital medium-format, panoramic Hasselblad and 4x5 large format, on location or in the three main studios. Post-production and printing is through high-quality dedicated, digital Mac workstations with the latest printers. We maintain traditional wet darkrooms for specialist use.

Student work

“I like the variety of projects, with so much room for individuality”
Photography student feedback survey.

Our graduates find there is a very wide range of career opportunities available in the creative and photographic fields, such as photographer, practicing artist, picture editor, picture researcher, stylist or photographer’s agent, forensic and medical photographer, or photography within community arts.

Entry requirements 100 UCAS tariff points.

Find out more about qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Please check selection criteria for any additional entry requirements.

Credit and UCAS requirements UCAS code: W640 UCAS points: 100 Costs

Click to view information on your study type and home location

Full-time students

Home

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £8,250 (including an automatic £750 fee discount).

As a full-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 per annum (if you're from England) or £15,795 (if you're from Scotland). You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan (up to £5,500) and a maintenance grant (up to £3,354). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Full-time students may be eligible for one of 110 NSP awards for full-time students worth up to £6,000.

Cumbria Bursary

The Cumbria Bursary is an annual cash award of £1,000 for up to three years of study. There are 300 Cumbria Bursaries available in 2013.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £8,250 (including an automatic £750 fee discount).

As a full-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 per annum (or the equivalent in your country). For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Full-time students may be eligible for one of 110 NSP awards for full-time students worth up to £6,000.

Cumbria Bursary

The Cumbria Bursary is an annual cash award of £1,000 for up to three years of study. There are 300 Cumbria Bursaries available in 2013.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Utilities trust

International

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £9,960.

Fees are billed annually and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. 75 percent of the annual tuition fees must be paid before or at registration. For students requiring a Tier 4 Student Visa, a deposit of £3,500 is expected as a minimum before a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will be issued. For more information, visit our international student finance page.

Early payment discount

If you are paying your own fees, you may be eligible for an early payment discount of £1,000. This discount is awarded to students who pay in full before registration.

International scholarship

If you are studying a full-time bachelor's degree (excluding teacher training and NHS-funded courses) or a top-up degree, you may be eligible for an international scholarship. The university has nine scholarships available. Find out more on our scholarships page.

Additional financial support

Our money doctors will be on hand throughout the year to help you manage your money while you’re in the UK. However, if you do happen to run into financial difficulty during your time here, you may be able to access a small emergency support fund.

UCAS Link

Visit UCAS

Modules

For detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course (PDF).

Course summary

The first year will help you prepare for working independently as an artist and photographer and get you ready for year one of the degree course.

Case studies “I chose the University of Cumbria as there was a lovely feeling at the open days and there was an atmosphere of friendliness. I initially completed the Year 0 course, which is great as it helps you make up your mind about what you want to do. The best part about the course is the fact that the lecturers teach and pass on their industry experiences.”

Julie Taylor, BA (Hons) Photography