MA Photography - Full-time
Master
In Bolton
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Bolton
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Duration
1 Year
Our popular MA Photography course has achieved success through the production of student work of the highest standard. Some of the most important photo festivals and exhibitions, both national and international, have included University of Bolton photography students’ work. Their work has also been acquired/collected by local and national galleries and other collections.
We’ll encourage and guide you to develop a critical understanding of the key issues in contemporary photographic culture. You’ll look at ethics, social responsibility, meaning and context in photographs, and see how they are influenced and informed by these issues through a series of research-informed practical assignments. You’ll also explore the work of contemporary practitioners and the relationship between their work and the photographic market.
Our highly skilled and experienced teaching team will encourage you to develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of knowledge relevant to advanced photographic practice. We also offer opportunities to engage with external creative industry professionals across the full range of photographic cultures. Successful graduates have experienced career progression across a number of creative industry sub-sectors, as freelancers and curators, working for charities, and in broadcasting. Others have chosen to teach in higher and further education.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
For both aspiring and practicing photographers, our MA Photography will enable you to understand and interact with international image markets. The degree is specifically aimed at equipping you to work in different cultures and publish your work in a range of domestic and international galleries, and online.
The course is designed to be accessible to a wide constituency from graduates to working professionals. Studying this course will also help you to develop a number of career-enhancing skills in addition to your subject specific knowledge and understanding. These include interpersonal skills, research skills, oral and written communication, independent working, and time and project management skills.
Many photography graduates choose to put their creative skills to good use in related areas such as marketing, advertising, web design and digital marketing. Other career prospects include travel photography, photojournalism, studio management, teaching, fashion and press photography, medical illustration, graphic design and visual media, camera operation, commercial/product photography, and teaching.
Typical employers include newspapers, film and television, social photography, health, the public sector, the travel industry, universities and media organisations such as advertising. A large number of photography graduates are self-employed and work on a freelance basis.
Our graduates find employment in a wide range of visual media. Former students have gone on to find careers, both employed and self-employed, in editorial, documentary and social photography, commercial and fashion studios, plus other arts-related sectors such as the media, galleries, museums and commercial environments.
Our Master’s degree is also a springboard for further research, either within academia or the private sector. You could also undertake further research and study for a PhD.
Alternative Career Options
Film, video and picture editing
Education and training
Visual merchandising
Museum curation
Art gallery management
Graphic design
Web design
Art direction
Fashion
Weddings and social
Photographic laboratories
Conservation
Forensics
You should have one of the following: at least an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree in Photography; at least an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree in any subject and significant professional experience in the industry; or at least an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree in a related subject with a major project in photography.
If you don’t have these qualifications but do have significant experience in the field of photography and are able to present a strong portfolio, then we’ll be happy to consider your application.
Key Features:
The MA Photography programme is practice-based and industry-focused, offering you rich learning experiences and discipline-specific and transferrable employability skills.
As a successful postgraduate student you’ll be able to continue your studies to gain teaching qualifications or go on to study further for an MPhil/PhD.
You’ll have access to an exciting visiting speaker programme, providing insight into industry experts’ professional practice and up-to-the-minute developments in the sector. Our specialist tutors and technical support staff have professional experience and industry connections.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be practiced in the application of business management skills such as creating a business plan and writing proposal briefs for commission, exhibition and project work.
We make use of e-learning through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE). All modules will be supported via the VLE helping you to keep up-to-date with the module delivery, even if there are occasions when you can’t attend classes.
Reviews
Subjects
- Teaching
- Industry
- Advanced Practice
- Study Skills
- Advanced Research
- Practice
- Critical Thinking
- Reflection
- Critical Analysis
- Analysis
Course programme
Modules listed below are a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules as part of the course.
- Advanced Practice 1
- Advanced Research and Study Skills
- Advanced Practice 2
- Critical Thinking in Practice
- Advanced Practice 3
- Critical Analysis and Reflection
We use a blended approach to teaching and learning which means you’ll have face-to-face sessions as well as take part in online learning. Studio, computer suite, location and lecture room activities are the main features of the programme and you can expect to spend your time in these specialist areas. Lectures, seminars, demonstrations and masterclass workshops will link specialisms across the traditional boundaries of photography and related theory, and will combine traditional and modern techniques. You’ll also engage in self-directed study with support from a range of staff; the contribution of technicians and library/learning resources staff in this context is an important feature.
Proposals of Work are developed early in the programme where they are introduced at the start of each stage (either set or self-initiated). They will provide the framework for your research and practical explorations. This is also an important aspect of your self-directed study activity and will be negotiated with your supervisor at the start of each semester, and then reviewed at intervals during the module. The one-to-one tutorial is a major feature of the programme, and is where you’ll receive formative feedback on your progress in the module.
Peer reviews are also a regular feature of the programme and take place at points throughout each module through the year. Each year, optional study visits will be offered to students on the programme.
DisclaimerThe university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up to date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
Additional information
MA Photography - Full-time