BA (Hons) Photography
- Jobs Well Campus – Carmarthen School of Art
BA (Hons) Photography at Carmarthen School of Art, Coleg Sir Gâr is a well-established and forward-thinking programme designed to nurture your creativity and develop strong photographic skills, grounded in your individual interests. You’ll work across both traditional and contemporary practices—ranging from silver-based darkroom techniques to cutting-edge digital technologies—so you can engage with the full spectrum of photographic methods. The course stays aligned with the latest trends in photographic practice and is supported by an integrated, engaging theory programme that deepens your critical understanding.
You’ll be encouraged to explore and refine your artistic voice in a supportive, collaborative environment. Our expert lecturers bring extensive experience from across the photographic industry—including documentary, editorial, fashion, commercial, fine art, publishing, and content creation. With small class sizes and exceptional contact time, you’ll benefit from tailored guidance that helps you develop a distinctive personal style and clear career direction.
We work closely with you to foster critical and entrepreneurial thinking—essential skills for thriving in today’s creative industries. You’ll have access to a wide range of professional opportunities, including publishing your work in Golau Magazine, collaborating with clients and institutions, undertaking internships, and participating in graduate residency schemes. We’ll also help you develop the confidence and clarity to present your work effectively, preparing you for real-world success.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have a professional, industry-ready portfolio that reflects your creative identity and showcases a strong set of transferable skills—enhancing your employability across a wide range of creative careers. You’ll also benefit from an active alumni network and our strong connections with local and national industry partners, giving you continued support as you move forward.
As a graduate, you’ll be joining a community of award-winning photographers who’ve gone on to achieve recognition from prestigious platforms such as the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize, Rankin, BAFTA Cymru, Printspace Trajectory, The Association of Photographers, and The World Photography Organisation. Many have worked on commissions with the BBC, S4C, Ffotogallery and Ffoto Cymru, National Museum of Wales, National Portrait Gallery, Y Senedd, The British Council, The National Trust, and many more.
Course details
- Full time
- Part time
- Mixed
Validated by University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)
What you will learn
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Programme Features
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Programme content
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Progression and employment
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Method of assessment
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Entry requirements
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Additional costs
As a student on the BA Photography programme, you’ll have access to a wide range of professional resources to support your creative development. You’ll work with industry-standard digital cameras, studio and location lighting, and a comprehensive suite of computer facilities for digital darkroom work and creative image processing. You can also use our traditional darkroom, which supports analogue photographic methods—perfect if you’re drawn to the renewed interest in silver-based processes.
You’ll benefit from your own dedicated workspace and access to equipment that mirrors current industry practices, helping you build both technical proficiency and creative fluency. The programme is designed with real-world photographic practice in mind—whether you’re aiming for freelance, commercial, or artistic work—and it encourages you to engage creatively with both traditional and emerging media.
Throughout the course, you’ll explore a diverse range of photographic genres including documentary, fashion, editorial, commercial, and fine art photography. This broad approach helps you develop a versatile skill set that supports long-term, sustainable employability across the creative industries. At the same time, you’ll build critical awareness of photography’s role in today’s visually driven world, empowering you to create expressive, meaningful imagery for both personal and professional contexts.
Year 1 – A skills based year delivered through a series of tutor led workshops and independent study.
Year 2 – A developmental year devised to allow you to apply the skills gained in year one to identify personal strengths and areas of interest within a range of industry relevant contexts.
Year 3 – A personal negotiated brief which allows you to consolidate your practice and build a portfolio in preparation for future progression and personal ambitions, culminating in an opportunity to showcase your work in a final degree show.
As a student on this programme, you’ll gain a broad foundation in photography and visual content creation, equipping you with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the creative industries. We’ll guide you through the many opportunities available, helping you explore different roles and specialisms so you can discover your strengths and passions. Our curriculum introduces you to more than 55 industry areas—spanning from entry-level to advanced roles—giving you a comprehensive understanding of where your creative journey can take you.
Exploring Photography Genres
Throughout the course, you’ll explore a variety of photographic genres, each with its own creative and technical demands. Whether you’re drawn to the expressive nature of fine art, fashion, documentary, or photojournalism—or the commercial world of advertising and product photography—you’ll develop the skills needed to work across diverse sectors. You’ll also have the chance to engage with niche areas such as wildlife, landscape, sports, travel, and architecture photography. By trying out different approaches, you’ll clarify your creative direction and build a portfolio that reflects your personal and professional goals.
Career Pathways and Advancement
While you’ll graduate with a strong foundation in photographic practice, you’ll also be introduced to advanced and specialist career pathways you can pursue with experience. These include senior roles such as Picture Editor, Director of Photography, or Archivist, where your creative leadership will come to the fore. If you’re interested in education or research, you’ll explore routes like Photography Educator or Academic Researcher, allowing you to contribute to the discipline in a meaningful way. You may also aim for leadership positions like Gallery Curator, Photography Buyer/Retailer, or Department Director—roles that combine technical knowledge with strategic thinking. Whatever path you choose, you’ll leave equipped to follow your ambition with confidence.
Assessment is ongoing through workshop plenary sessions, critiques, formative and summative assessment with aural and written feedback.
Tariff score points accepted: A minimum of 96 points or equivalent portfolio ability for mature applicants.
Selection procedures
All applicants need to apply online through UCAS, our UCAS Institution code is C22 and our course code is W640. Offers will be made based on the UCAS application, predicted grades (if applicable), UCAS reference and one to one interview. Programme Directors interview every applicant and discuss your portfolio of artwork and ambitions with you. This is a vital part of our selection process to ensure that the course is right for you and you are right for the course. Due to developing a relationship with you from the start our drop-out rates are minimal. As we continuously strive to turn students into successful professional practitioners.
Mature applicants with relevant prior experience are welcome and are considered on an individual basis. International students will be interviewed by video conferencing.
There is no additional Studio fee. However, it is likely that you will incur additional costs for specialist materials, printing and for course related excursions.
Past student work
