Photography (including foundation year) BA (Hons)

At London Metropolitan University, the BA (Hons) Photography (including foundation year) course is designed to help you learn by doing — developing your creative identity through hands-on practice, real-world briefs, and access to exceptional studio facilities. From your very first year, you’ll be immersed in the world of image-making, working with both traditional and cutting-edge tools while learning to see, shoot, and produce like a professional. You won’t just be studying photography — you’ll be living it through workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative projects that mirror the industry environment.

Here’s how you’ll gain those real-world skills and experiences:

• Industry-standard facilities: You’ll work in fully equipped analogue and colour darkrooms, high-end digital studios, lighting rigs, and dedicated photographic production spaces.

• Professional equipment access: Students have access to a vast range of cameras, lenses, and lighting gear for both studio and location shoots.

• Practical projects: Throughout the course, you’ll work on real briefs that develop both your technical confidence and creative independence.

• Studio-based learning: Daily practice takes place in professional studio environments, preparing you for the realities of creative industry work.

• Exhibition opportunities: You’ll showcase your work publicly through university-organised exhibitions, gaining exposure and feedback from peers, tutors, and industry guests.

• Specialist workshops: Regular sessions in film processing, digital imaging, large-format photography, and post-production software deepen your technical expertise.

• Library and archive resources: You’ll have access to London Met’s specialist art, design, and media libraries — rich with visual archives, journals, and photography collections that support research and inspiration.

• Collaborative community: The School of Art, Architecture and Design fosters a creative, studio-based culture, encouraging interdisciplinary projects and peer learning.

This immersive, practice-led approach ensures that by the time you graduate, you’ll have not only a strong portfolio but also the confidence, skills, and experience to thrive in professional photography or further creative study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from London Metropolitan University’s BA (Hons) Photography (including Foundation Year) go on to build vibrant and diverse careers within the creative industries. Many establish their own photography practices, while others move into media, advertising, publishing and visual arts — applying their creative, technical and professional skills in exciting ways. Typical career paths include: freelance photographer, studio photographer, photo editor, and visual content creator.

At London Met, students are fully supported in preparing for professional life:

• Career support: The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides one-to-one guidance, workshops, and portfolio development sessions tailored to creative careers.

• Industry connections: Through PhotoTalks guest lectures, collaborations with The Photographers’ Gallery, and links with creative studios across London, students gain exposure to real industry insights and networking opportunities.

• Employment outcomes: London Met is ranked among the top UK universities for improving students’ earning potential after graduation, with many alumni successfully freelancing or exhibiting their work nationally and internationally.

• Accreditation value: The degree’s long-term recognition within the UK’s creative sector ensures graduates hold a respected qualification that aligns with professional standards and contemporary industry expectations.

• Graduate success: Alumni have gone on to showcase work in major exhibitions, publish in magazines, and collaborate with fashion, film and design professionals across the capital.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can advance their studies through postgraduate routes such as the MA Photography or MA Fine Art at London Metropolitan University or related master’s degrees in visual communication, art direction or media production. These pathways help develop deeper creative expertise and open doors to teaching, curatorial, and higher-level creative roles.