MA Photography

Content and structure

MA Photography at London College of Communication offers a variety of conceptual approaches to thinking, writing and exhibiting photography.

It is a research-led course that equips students for a wider inquiry into the photographic medium, using a single exhibition project which students develop over the 15-months and gives students the chance to produce a distinctive body of work, by supporting their individual practice through encouraging visual experimentation, theoretical contextualisation, and active research processes.

Situated within the Media School, we understand photography as an interdisciplinary medium, that expands as an effect on, and of culture. As part of the respective project development, we interrogate the agency of a piece of work and its relationship with the viewer, in a post-documentary environment, alongside thinking about non-representational strategies in installation.

We encourage students to work experimentally and produce work that tests the boundaries of the medium, encompassing the still image, video, installation, performance and digital media, and culminating in a public exhibition.

The Media School offers a longstanding tradition of photography education with a highly regarded research culture, and the course has close ties with the Photography and the Archive Research Centre and The Stanley Kubrick Archive, both based at LCC. Located close to central London, the course has excellent links with galleries, museums and archives.

MA Photography attracts a broad range of practitioners, from backgrounds in fine art photography, documentary photography, commercial photography and other areas of media practice. They are united by a desire to develop a distinctive personal practice with a high level of conceptual resolution.

There are both analogue and digital photography facilities at LCC, including colour and black-and-white darkrooms, photographic studios and a Mac-based digital suite including Imacon scanners, as well as medium and large format analogue cameras, digital cameras, HD video cameras and lighting equipment. Students also have access to other technical facilities such as the 3D workshop or screenprinting.

The course runs for 45 weeks from September to December (15 months full time, across a four-term model) and attendance is 2 days per week. The course is demanding of time and commitment in addition to attendance, and you will need considerable capacity for self-directed study to fulfil the aims of the programme.

Please note: The course assumes that you are technically proficient and able to research and develop any further skills you require. Technical tuition is restricted to the tutorial support of individual projects. If you need to acquire a significant skill base, then you are advised to do so before you apply for the course.

Staff, current students, and alumni frequently post updates on the LCC MA Photography Facebook group.

The Sproxton Photography Award is given each year to one student in the MA Photography Final Show, as judged by a panel consisting of an industry professional and MA Photography Alumni. The winner receives £1000 to help them kickstart their photography career.

The prize was set up in memory of Andrew Sproxton, who together with Professor Val Williams, curator, historian and writer, and now Director of the Photography and the Archive Research Centre here at LCC, founded the Impressions Gallery in York in 1972.

MA Photography at LCC has been running since 1997 with its first graduating cohort exhibiting in autumn 1998, MAP16 being the 18th MA Photography final show. The exhibition catalogues are produced by the graduating students, who also put together a final show website to showcase their work.

• MAP16 Catalogue (PDF - 3.7MB)
• MAP15 Catalogue (PDF - 6.4MB)
• MAP14 catalogue (PDF - 929MB)
• MAP13 catalogue (PDF - 2.7MB)
• MAP12 catalogue (PDF - 5.6MB)
• MAP11 catalogue (PDF - 1.6MB)
• MAP10 catalogue (PDF - 2.9MB)
• MAP09 catalogue (PDF - 3.5MB)
• MAP08 catalogue (PDF - 4.3MB)
• MAP06 catalogue (PDF - 1.9MB)

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24 September 2018

Course units

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves four units, totalling 180 credits.

Unit summary:

• Exploring the Possibilities (60 credits)

Following an Induction Week, you will begin to develop a body of work with tutorial support. This is the practice that defines your assessment submissions and encompasses technical, theoretical and professional considerations. You will also receive a series of critical context seminars to help you start developing your critical context paper synopsis.

Unit summary:

• Taking an Idea Forward (40 credits)
• Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

Taking an Idea Forward builds on the experience of Exploring the Possibilities unit, allowing you to consolidate and develop your knowledge and experience. You will focus on and further develop one of your ideas for the body of work explored in the Exploring the Possibilities unit. You'll also continue to develop a critical framework for your work through critical context seminars and the submission of the critical context paper. Increasingly, students take responsibility for leading seminars and group tutorials with staff acting as facilitators.

In the Collaborative Unit, you will develop an interim show of your work together with your peers and other input.

Unit summary:

• Taking an Idea Forward (continued)
• Resolving Outcomes (60 credits)

Unit summary:

• Resolving Outcomes (continued)

In the Resolving Outcomes unit, you'll undertake the resolution, finalisation, and presentation of the body of work in an exhibition or any other outcomes you decide on, individually or as a group. Through both practice and your written submission of critical rationale, you will demonstrate a reflective understanding of the medium, the critical and professional context, and the position of your practice within it.

You will need a high level of commitment and self-management to achieve the course outcomes. In addition to formal teaching sessions, seminar work, presentations, and tutorial work you'll also be expected to engage in independent research, writing, coursework, and the origination, development and completion of the body of work, for which both tutor and peer support is provided through individual tutorials, group discussions, and peer review.

If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.

MA Photography Programme Specification 2017/18 (PDF - 124KB)

Staff Course Leader

Dr Wiebke Leister

Jananne Al-Ani, Douglas Fishbone, Claire Hiscock, Dr David Mollin, Dallas Seitz, Val Williams.

There is also an extensive programme of visiting speakers and research events.