Photography MA
Join a pioneering community and elevate your photographic practice
Course overview
Elevate your photographic practice within a pioneering community. With a focus on making images from day one, this campus-based MA supports you to re-imagine your work, refine your voice, grow your specialist area and own your place in our ever-changing visual culture.
You’ll be challenged to expand the context of your practice and consider new and dynamic working methods. Grounded in an understanding of photography as a medium in constant flux, you’ll engage with what it means to be a contemporary practitioner as you build resilience and responsiveness to innovation and change. You’ll master theory and practice through critical writing, access to emerging technology, portfolio curation and the global dissemination of your work – all within our exceptional photography facilities.
Why study at Falmouth?
- Push the boundaries of the photographic medium using specialist digital and analogue equipment, accessing the multimillion-pound professional-standard facilities in our renowned Institute of Photography
- Build a critically informed and dynamic portfolio as a photographer, supported by Falmouth’s industry-active academics and award-winning staff
- Discover new channels for the dissemination of your work, considering its social, cultural and political impact
- Have the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines with your postgraduate peers, such as those on our Fine Art MA
Course details
Re-examine your photographic practice and move into new media on this Photography MA.
In the innovative Institute of Photography you’ll be taught by practicing academics whose passion lies in storytelling for change. They’re also pushing the medium of photography, using new technology and alternative techniques to make impactful work.
With access to our multi-million pound professional-standard facilities, you’ll experiment, challenge and refine your practice, considering how to engage with an audience through a range of different methodologies
Reflecting on how images are made, used, and disseminated with consideration for their social, cultural, and political importance, you’ll examine contemporary contexts for visual storytelling and place your voice among other creatives to make an impact.
You’ll graduate with a portfolio of work and a confidence in your practice, as well as a range of skills that set you up for a career in the creative industries.
During Study Block 1 you’ll be challenged to open up your approach to photography. You’ll look critically at how you view contemporary visual culture and how you make as a photographic practitioner. By doing so, you’ll identify new creative avenues for your work.
Experimental Practice
The medium of photography is going through a period of great change. This module reflects this and sees it as an opportunity for creativity. Throughout the course, you are challenged to break down your practice and begin anew. This process starts here.
You’ll experiment on individual and group projects, finding exciting ways of working, as well as gaining confidence in a new technical environment.
You will also consider Photography as a broad creative practice. With this in mind you will have the opportunity to explore different techniques, including moving image, alternative processes, sculptural forms, AI, and more.
Critical Contexts
You will examine the myriad ways in which contemporary photography is enriched through critical and theoretical contextualisation. You will be encouraged to decolonize approaches to contemporary critical practice, considering societal and ethical viewpoints.
You will consider the political nature of photography as a medium, and photography’s relation to current global issues.
Throughout the module, you will be asked to consider your own practice in relation to these themes, with the aim of developing an appreciation of theories and concepts that are most relevant to your interests as a visual practitioner.
In Study Block 2, you’ll begin to frame your new working methods through contextual and practice-based research. You will develop and refine your professional practice interests while exploring opportunities to collaborate with peers across other creative postgraduate disciplines to engage with audiences.
Expanded Practice
After pulling your practice apart in the first study block, it is now time to re-configure your ways of working in the lead up to the Extended Project. Building on the previous practical and critical exploration, this module aims to ground the working methodology of your practice.
You will engage in a series of workshops that expand your approach to photography, whilst reflecting on audience and presentation methods.
Working towards a collaborative exhibition of work-in-progress, you will consider the scope, scale, and methodology of your work, with awareness of context in terms of contemporary photographic practice.
Sustaining a Practice
During this module you’ll grapple with the question: how can you sustain your practice as a contemporary photographer in the long-term, and ensure its positive impact?
You’ll answer this by exploring ideas, methods and processes that can form a foundation for ongoing practice. You’ll deepen your awareness of theory, production tools and wider cultural issues to enable you to place your practice in contemporary culture.
During your final study block, you’ll work towards the successful completion and delivery of an extended project. Drawing on your experimentation, collaborations and newfound working practices, you’ll produce a professional portfolio, exhibition and critical essay on your body of work.
Extended Project
You’ll build on the Expanded Practice and Sustaining Practice modules to produce a highly accomplished final portfolio.
Drawing on experimentation with photographic technologies, collaboration with peers, and the positioning of yourself within contemporary culture, you’ll develop a body of work to speak to our time and place in your own creative voice.
You’ll accompany this portfolio with critical analysis writing that frames your practice within contemporary visual culture, and puts you at the forefront of photographic innovation.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details.
As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.
How you'll learn & be assessed
The Photography MA is studied over three semesters that run over a one-year, full-time period. Combining taught and independent study, you’ll engage with seminars, workshops, tutorials, collaborative practice and critical reviews.
You’ll be encouraged to consider photography as a medium, explore and apply traditional as well as emerging technologies, collaborate with peers and across disciplines and use Falmouth’s specialist photography facilities to full advantage. You’ll be particularly focused on sustainable and sustaining practice to become a socially engaged practitioner.
The course is assessed through 100% coursework.
Assessment methods
- Portfolios of work
- Written assessments
- Exhibitions
- Collaborative projects
- Major projects
Formative assessment points happen throughout delivery while summative assessments mostly fall at the end of the three study blocks.
Students receive regular tutorial feedback as well as feedback from summative assessments at the end of modules.
Stories from our community
Explore student projects, graduate successes, staff news and industry insights
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...
Online Photography student wins Emerging Artist Award at The Photography & Video Show
24 April 2024
Current Photography MA (Online) student Natalie Persoglio has won the 2024 Emerging Artist Award at ...
Meltdown, Emily June Smith
Falmouth student’s photo series unmasks the reality of growing up with Autism and ADHD
02 April 2024
Introducing 'A Dissonant Past Unmasked' by Emily June Smith.
Credit: Chris Finnegan
Photography graduate selected for PhotoIreland FUTURES programme
20 March 2024
Photography MA (Online) graduate Chris Finnegan has been selected for the PhotoIreland FUTURES progr...
Zenande, Sinawe, Zinathi and Buhle at Sea Point Pavilion, Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Michelle Sank
Photography tutor wins Sony World Photography award
18 March 2024
Michelle Sank, a photographer and online tutor on Falmouth’s Photography MA (Online) course, has w...
Imagination category winner, by Flora Tomlinson-Pilley
Students impress industry judges at underwater photography Red Sea exhibition
22 February 2024
Industry judges were impressed by students' underwater photography work, which was captured during t...
Why I chose to study a Photography degree online
18 January 2024
Photography BA(Hons) (Online) student Lucy talks about how joining Falmouth's online community is he...
'Naseema Begum' by Peter Flude
Falmouth graduate Peter Flude announced as 2023 Portrait of Britain winner
17 January 2024
The winning portrait was originally commissioned by Guardian Labs.
Photography graduate's work lights up Piccadilly Circus on NYE
04 January 2024
Serena Brown's work lit up Picadilly Circus this New Year's Eve as part of the Mayor of London's 'Lo...
View Point by Jo Bradford
Phone photography making an impact in new book by Associate Lecturer
04 December 2023
Associate Lecturer on BA Marine & Natural History Photography Jo Bradford has had a new book publish...
Glimpses below the waves: Falmouth’s Jane Morgan featured in Dive Travel Adventures
14 November 2023
Falmouth’s Dive Safety Officer and Diving Technician Jane Morgan, has been featured in the latest ...
Graduate Spotlight: Photographer Jenna Hinton is forging ahead with her career
06 October 2023
We're chatting to BA Commercial Photography graduate Jenna Hinton about her new role at post-product...
'Ocean Chapel' by Gina Goodman
Falmouth lecturer recognised at International Photography Awards 2023
29 September 2023
Gina Goodman has been awarded Honourable Mention at the International Photography Awards 2023.
© Serena Brown
Serena Brown named as finalist for Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2023
31 August 2023
Find out more about the Falmouth graduate's shortlisted work.
Friends sunbathe on the dry grass of Southampton Common which resembles a sandy beach during the hot weather as Hampshire and other neighbouring counties were hit with a hosepipe ban in 2022 to protect low reservoir and river levels.
Falmouth photographers among the best in British press photography
31 August 2023
Two photographers from Falmouth’s Press & Editorial Photography BA(Hons) course have been shortlis...
Facilities
- Fully equipped professional-standard studios with industry standard flash and continuous light, infinity coves and a full range of backdrops
- State-of-the-art digital post-production suites with complete Adobe Creative Cloud Package and Capture One
- Fully equipped black and white darkrooms for printing from any format to almost any size
- Machine film processing for B&W, Colour C41 and E6 and hand processing facilities
- Colour darkrooms for RA4 printing from any format up to 5x4
- Alternative and sustainable photographic processes
- Photography rental store housing a vast range of analogue and digital camera equipment for stills and moving image plus lighting, specialist equipment and location shooting kits
- Professional standard print lab for producing high quality prints on industry standard equipment and on various media up to B0
Photography Facilities
Housing dark rooms, post-production suites, full professional studios and gallery, our Institute of ...
Library Facilities
Offering extensive collections, our two libraries provide a wealth of digital resources, magazines, ...
Sports Centre
Our Sports Centre, on Penryn Campus, includes a spacious gym with up to 90 of the latest, new statio...
Staff
On this master’s in Photography you’ll be taught by a team of internationally exhibiting, environmentally pioneering and research-driven photographic artists.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.
Oliver Udy
Head of Photography
Oliver Udy is a photographer, publisher and general facilitator of things.Udy joined Falmouth Univer...
Dr Catarina Fontoura
Course Leader, Photography BA(Hons) (Online)
Catarina Fontoura is an artist, educator and writer. She has submitted her PhD thesis in History of ...
Dr Huw Lewis-Jones
Associate Professor of Environment and Culture
Dr Huw Lewis-Jones is an environmental historian and expedition leader. Huw ...
Paul Clements
Online Tutor, Photography MA
After studying for a BA (Hons) in Photography & Film at Napier University, Edinburgh, I complete...
Got a question about this course?
If you want to know more about the course structure, our application requirements or what our graduates have gone on to achieve, our friendly course team is here to help.
Chat to OliCareers
The course offers an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification enabling you to innovate your current practice and open up new professional opportunities, or pursue postgraduate research at doctoral level.
Graduates from the MA in Photography could work as:
- Self-employed photographic practitioner (e.g. social, commercial, editorial)
- Employed photographic practitioner and/or management (press, studio, industrial, retouching)
- Senior technical roles in industry (e.g. technical instruction, laboratory, retail)
- Senior roles within publishing (e.g. picture research and editing, management)
- Senior roles in arts administration, arts management, heritage and outreach
- Curatorship, art direction, gallerists
- Teaching and educational development roles
- Writing, criticism and arts communication
How to apply
Have a question?
To find out more about this course, how you'll learn and what funding is available, get in touch with our friendly Course Advisors using our online form:
Apply now
Ready to apply for postgraduate study? You can apply online by clicking the button below.
We welcome applications from those with relevant equivalent Level 6 qualifications, or relevant equivalent experience, and a demonstrable interest in the subject.
We’ll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.
APL applicants using experience to apply should note there is an application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit.
If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees for September 2024 entry
£9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.)
£17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)
Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Typical course costs
Recurring annual costs
- c.£500 - annual cost for equipment and materials: printing portfolios / film / paper / optional trips. This will vary depending upon your practice.
One-off costs for the duration of the course
As a medium, photography is constantly developing so the following figures are intended as a rough guide of anticipated expenditure on the course.
- You will need to have your own laptop, PC or MAC or tablet, on which you can access online learning materials and can process high resolution digital images. This should be capable of running Photoshop as a minimum.
- Ideally, a basic digital camera and a standard lens (either DSLR or a Mirrorless System) capable of shooting in RAW and Moving Image and it should have a fully manual mode (approx. £200 - £900). The Institute of Photography supports Canon, Sony and Nikon so these may be the best choices for compatibility with our lenses and accessories. Remember that you will be able to borrow all the equipment in the IoP stores for free
- You may prefer to work with analogue film. 35mm SLR cameras by Canon or Nikon will be most compatible with our loan equipment
- SD card(s), minimum 16Gb
- USB card reader for the above
- USB hard drive, minimum 250Gb recommended. Approx. overall cost £50 – £100
Optional study trips
Study trips change year on year and are optional on the course. As a guide, here are some examples of previous trips and approximate costs:
- Iceland - £1,800
- Amsterdam - £500
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
Postgraduate funding
There are loans, awards, graduate discounts and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.
Find out about fundingAsk a student
What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?
From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Speak to an advisor
Do you have questions about the course or studying at Falmouth? Fill in our simple online form and we'll get in touch to support your application journey.
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