Institute of Photography

Discover your creative voice at our Institute of Photography and thrive in a rapidly-changing industry.

Our partnerships with top brands like Hasselblad, Canon, Getty Images, and  Nikon make our photography facilities some of the finest in Europe. Every large studio, darkroom, process area and piece of photography equipment is designed and calibrated for professional use.

You’ll gain industry insights and inspiration from photographers like Rut Blees Luxemburg and Martin Parr, wildlife filmmakers like Doug Allen, and photojournalists like Antonio Olmos.

Study at the Institute of Photography and you'll develop your practice and portfolio by taking on live industry projects and occasional paid briefs via our in-house agency. You'll also go on internships and study visits to places like London, the Galapagos Islands, New York and the Red Sea.

Institute of Photography at Falmouth University

Photography courses

A model wearing gold sitting in a black car
Commercial Photography - Hannah Mittelstaedt model in car

Work by Hannah Mittelstaedt

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)

From creating photographs and films for high-end advertising and marketing campaigns to producing vi...

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)
Model lying on records with hair spread out over them
Ellie Hope photography

Documentary & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)

On this fast-paced degree, you’ll learn to use the power of photography to communicate with a glob...

Documentary & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)
Illustration students in busy studio at desks drawing.
Illustration students working in a classroom
Illustration students

Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons)

Explore your creativity and expand your professional skills by entering the creative industries on a...

Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons)
Photography of a penguin against blue sky
Marine & Natural History Photography 2024

Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)

Harness your passion for photography and filmmaking to inspire audiences about nature and the enviro...

Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)
Photography student work by Lizzie Blackie
Photography student work by Lizzie Blackie

Photography BA(Hons)

On this dynamic course, you’ll explore the world of contemporary photography and develop a unique ...

Photography BA(Hons)
A woman's feet standing on a rock
Rachel Strickson

Photography BA(Hons) (Online)

With a distinct focus on global digital communication, this online photography degree will equip you...

Photography BA(Hons) (Online)
A group of people looking at photos on a table
MA Photography. Credit: Elliot Caunce

Photography MA

This Photography masters course supports you to re-imagine your work as a distinct, unique practitio...

Photography MA
A photograph of a hand in a bathtub of water
Charlotte Squire

Credit: Charlotte Squire

Photography MA (Online)

Push your practice in bold and experimental directions on Falmouth’s online Photography master’s...

Photography MA (Online)

Explore our facilities

Our industry-standard photography facilities are designed to foster creativity. With cutting-edge studios, darkrooms, and post-production suites, students have access to professional equipment from leading brands. The Institute of Photography features dedicated process areas, including professional-grade lighting studios and print labs, as well as digital editing suites equipped with the latest software. Whether you're shooting in spacious studios or developing film in specialised darkrooms, Falmouth's facilities are tailored to meet the demands of a professional photography career, providing students with an exceptional learning environment.

Find out more about our facilities

The Institute of Photography: Research & Knowledge Exchange

The Institute of Photography (IOP) is a centre of excellence for creative, experimental photography and lens-based environmental storytelling. Research focuses on global, social and environmental challenges.

Find out more
Terra

"This course prepared me artistically, allowing me to explore project ideas and creative concepts, and that has helped me no end. My final year project still gets exhibited now and has helped people gain awareness of me and my work."

Spencer Murphy

BA(Hons) Photography graduate, who has exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery and has The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph and Creative Review on his client list.

Discover stories from our community

Fashion photography student taking photo in studio
Fashion Photography student taking photo in studio

Why I chose to study in Falmouth’s Institute of Photography

08 May 2024

I knew very late that I wanted a career in photography, but I didn’t know my options. The idea of ...

Why I chose to study in Falmouth’s Institute of Photography
benj new

Photography student snaps Movember campaign for the Cornish Pirates

29 November 2024

Documentary & Editorial Photography BA student Benj Gilbert has been putting his camera skills to ex...

Photography student snaps Movember campaign for the Cornish Pirates
Students and staff from Falmouth University's Photography MA in Paris
Photography MA (Online) Paris trip

Paris Photo and beyond: Highlights from my Photography MA (Online) study trip

19 November 2024

Online Photography MA student, Bhaskar Sitholey, reflects on his recent study trip to Paris.

Paris Photo and beyond: Highlights from my Photography MA (Online) study trip
swgpp

Falmouth alumni selected for the South West Graduate Photography Prize

08 November 2024

Four graduates from Falmouth's Institute of Photography have been selected to present their projec...

Falmouth alumni selected for the South West Graduate Photography Prize
gina goodman

A year as Gina Goodman: Lecturer adds more awards to collection

24 October 2024

Marine & Natural History Photography BA lecturer Gina Goodman has followed up a stellar 2023 with a ...

A year as Gina Goodman: Lecturer adds more awards to collection
Multiple photographs of staff and students on Falmouth's Online Photography courses
Online photography community article image resize

Meet Falmouth's Online Photography Community

18 October 2024

Hear directly from students and staff on how our online photography community empowers them to devel...

Meet Falmouth's Online Photography Community
Books on a shelf
Photobook 3

Photography graduates bring pop-up reading room to Bristol Photobook Festival

27 September 2024

Two graduates from Falmouth’s online master’s in Photography are hosting a reading room at this ...

Photography graduates bring pop-up reading room to Bristol Photobook Festival
guy martin

Lecturer’s photos on the Great Lego Spill featured in The New York Times

27 September 2024

Marine and Natural History Photography BA lecturer Guy Martin has had his images featured in one of ...

Lecturer’s photos on the Great Lego Spill featured in The New York Times
A headshot of a woman with pink hair and glasses
Jacy Wilkes

Photography graduate reaches British Photography Awards final for second year running

17 September 2024

Jacy Wilkes is no stranger to award wins. The Sussex-based Photography MA (Online) graduate has scoo...

Photography graduate reaches British Photography Awards final for second year running
jacob guy

Graduate wins Young Ocean Photographer of the Year award

17 September 2024

Marine & Natural History Photography BA graduate Jacob Guy has won the Young Ocean Photographer of t...

Graduate wins Young Ocean Photographer of the Year award
raquel

Photography student begins placement at Cornish dairy

12 September 2024

Commercial Photography BA student Raquel Rodrigues has started an exciting work placement at Cornish...

Photography student begins placement at Cornish dairy
jonty clark flexi-hex
jonty clark flexi-hex

Photography graduates complete placements at Flexi-Hex

23 August 2024

Three graduates have completed micro-internships at the Cornish sustainable packaging company, Flexi...

Photography graduates complete placements at Flexi-Hex
tim cockerill

Tim Cockerill: How your garden can help insects thrive

16 August 2024

Marine & Natural History Photography BA lecturer Dr Tim Cockerill has appeared on BBC Breakfast to t...

Tim Cockerill: How your garden can help insects thrive
Two people stood with their backs to one another
Clare Bottomley and Jesse Alexander

Introducing PhotoPhone, a photography podcast hosted by two Falmouth photographers

13 August 2024

Photography MA (Online) Course Leader Jesse Alexander and Photography BA (Online) lecturer Clare Bot...

Introducing PhotoPhone, a photography podcast hosted by two Falmouth photographers
emily june smith

From “destined for prison” to a feature on international platform Photoworks

13 August 2024

Photography BA graduate Emily June Smith is one of ten artists to be featured in The Graduate Issue ...

From “destined for prison” to a feature on international platform Photoworks
elizabeth blackie

Photography graduate features in Top 25 to Watch

09 August 2024

Photography BA graduate Elizabeth Blackie has been selected as one of LENSCRATCH’s Student Prize 2...

Photography graduate features in Top 25 to Watch
cody jai murray

Online Photography student named finalist in new industry talent award

06 August 2024

Photography BA (Online) student Cody Jai Murray has been announced as a finalist for the Association...

Online Photography student named finalist in new industry talent award
harvey pringle unidays
harvey pringle unidays

Marine & Natural History Photography student shortlisted for student photographer award

26 July 2024

Harvey Pringle – a student on Marine & Natural History Photography – has been shortlisted for th...

Marine & Natural History Photography student shortlisted for student photographer award
lottie davies

Photography lecturer’s new exhibition exploring ‘havens’ of NHS workers opens in Scotland

09 July 2024

Documentary & Editorial Photography BA lecturer Lottie Davies has presented her new exhibition entit...

Photography lecturer’s new exhibition exploring ‘havens’ of NHS workers opens in Scotland
hannah mittelstaedt

Two students nominated for Association of Photographers awards

08 July 2024

Commercial Photography BA student Hannah Mittelstaedt and Photography MA (Online) student Linda Jarr...

Two students nominated for Association of Photographers awards
Commercial photography

Behind the scenes on a BMW photo shoot with student Hannah Mittelstaedt

23 May 2024

Commercial Photography BA student, Hannah Mittelstaedt, chats to us about what it’s like taking on...

Behind the scenes on a BMW photo shoot with student Hannah Mittelstaedt