Enter OTP
The BA (Hons) Commercial Photography at the University of East London gives you the opportunity to develop a unique creative vision alongside the professional, business and technical skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-moving photography industry. Whether you’re interested in fashion, editorial, advertising, product or architectural photography, this course helps you build a strong portfolio and prepare for a successful career in the creative sector.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your first year focuses on building a solid foundation in visual communication and photographic practice. Through modules such as Contextual Studies 1, Practice 1, Experimentation and Application 1A and 1B, and Research into Practice 1, you’ll explore image-making using both digital and analogue methods. You’ll also start to understand the professional side of the industry through Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth), which helps you develop the confidence and skills needed for a creative career.
Year 2
In your second year, you’ll enhance your technical and conceptual abilities with modules like Contextual Studies 2, Practice 2, Advanced Experimentation and Applications, Advanced Practice, and Research into Practice 2. You’ll take on live briefs and industry-led projects, allowing you to shape your personal creative direction while continuing to develop a professional mindset through Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth).
Year 3
Your final year is all about bringing everything together. You’ll work on major independent projects through modules such as Practice 3, Research into Practice 3 – Commercial Photography, Independent Major Project Part A and B, and Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth). This is your chance to produce a self-directed project, collaborate with real clients, and refine your professional portfolio to prepare for a successful transition into industry or freelance work.
Focus Areas
Commercial image production (fashion, editorial, product, architectural)
Interdisciplinary collaboration with fields like graphic design, fashion and art
Use of emerging technologies such as 3D, AR and VR
Professional practice and entrepreneurship for the creative industries
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
Develop and execute strong photographic concepts
Manage production from client brief to final delivery
Work effectively with commercial clients and collaborators
Apply research and critical thinking to your creative practice
Launch your own freelance or studio-based career with confidence
Professional Alignment
This programme has been created with direct input from the photography and creative industries. It integrates live briefs, portfolio development, access to studio and digital lab facilities, and entrepreneurial training to ensure you’re ready for the realities of a commercial photography career.
Reputation & Graduate Success
According to the Graduate Outcomes survey, graduates from this subject area at UEL earn an average salary of around £24,000 just 15 months after completing their degree — a strong indicator of the practical, career-focused nature of this programme.
The BA (Hons) Commercial Photography at the University of East London is all about immersing you in the real world of image-making from the very first day. You won’t just study photography — you’ll live it. The course is designed to give you hands-on, professional-level experience while helping you discover your creative voice and build a standout portfolio that truly opens doors.
Practical Skills & Facilities
From the moment you start, you’ll be working like a professional. You’ll take part in imaging production workshops, explore specialist studio and location lighting, and gain experience in both analogue darkroom and digital practices. On top of that, you’ll have access to new and emerging technologies such as AR/VR and 3D imaging — giving you a head start in the future of visual storytelling.
You’ll also collaborate with students from other creative disciplines like graphic design, fashion, and fine art, gaining the kind of interdisciplinary experience that mirrors how the creative industries work in real life. Plus, the campus is home to one of London’s largest analogue darkrooms for hands-on experimentation and fully equipped digital studios for modern commercial output.
What You’ll Experience
Workshops and Expert Tuition
Learn the craft of commercial image production through workshops led by industry professionals. You’ll cover everything from fashion, editorial, and beauty photography to advertising and architectural work, building a diverse and professional skillset.
Analogue Darkroom Access
Experiment with film photography, black-and-white printing, and scanning — blending traditional analogue methods with modern digital practices to strengthen your creative versatility.
Technology Integration
Engage with AR, VR, and 3D image production as part of your coursework. These cutting-edge tools are built into the programme so you can explore how photography is evolving in the era of Industry 4.0.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Work with students across fashion, design, and art to understand how photography fits into wider creative projects. It’s great preparation for real-world teamwork and client collaboration.
Specialist Tools & Learning Environment
Dedicated Photography Studios & Lighting Rigs
Gain experience in both location and studio setups, using professional lighting and camera equipment — just like you would in commercial studios.
Analogue & Digital Facilities
Make use of UEL’s darkrooms, scanning stations, and high-quality printing facilities. You’ll also explore hybrid workflows that combine film and digital processes.
Digital Post-Production
Master industry-standard software and workflows for editing, retouching, and compositing. You’ll learn how to polish images for commercial, editorial, and creative clients.
Emerging Technology
Push boundaries by experimenting with AR, VR, and 3D imaging, exploring how these innovations are reshaping the future of photography.
Professional Practice & Portfolio Development
Live Industry Briefs
From your second year, you’ll take on real client projects, live briefs, and professional collaborations — giving you a taste of working as a freelancer or in a creative studio.
Independent Major Project & Degree Showcase
In your final year, you’ll produce a major photographic project that reflects your personal vision and creative strengths. Your work will be showcased publicly in a degree exhibition, an ideal platform to launch your career.
Portfolio & Career Support
From day one, the course helps you build a professional identity through ongoing portfolio development, career workshops, and strong links with the creative industry.
This programme is perfect for anyone ready to blend creativity with technical skill and turn their passion for photography into a dynamic career. At UEL, you’ll not only learn to take great photos — you’ll learn how to make your mark in the world of commercial image-making.
If you choose to study the BA (Hons) Commercial Photography at the University of East London (UEL), you’ll be setting yourself up for a creative and fast-moving career in the visual industries. Many graduates go on to work as studio photographers, image-makers for advertising campaigns, freelance specialists, or even start their own creative businesses. With UEL’s practical, industry-focused training, you’ll develop both artistic and professional skills that are directly relevant to today’s photography market.
Progression & Future Opportunities
UEL’s Career Zone is dedicated to helping you transition smoothly into the industry. You’ll have access to a wide range of opportunities, including a live jobs board, paid internships, one-to-one career coaching for CVs and portfolios, and tailored workshops to prepare you for roles in commercial photography.
Employment success:
UEL’s Creative Arts and Design graduates are thriving — 85% are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation, and the average salary for graduates in these fields is around £29,000.
Industry connections:
Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from UEL’s partnerships and guest sessions with leading names in photography, including the Association of Photographers, Morel Books, Metro Imaging, and the National Portrait Gallery. These connections offer valuable insight and networking opportunities with professionals who shape the industry.
Career-focused learning:
UEL is known as a career-led university, which means your degree is designed in collaboration with active professionals in photography and media. You’ll graduate with a portfolio and skillset built to meet real-world creative demands.
Graduate outcomes:
UEL alumni from this course have gone on to exciting careers as freelance or studio photographers in fashion, product, editorial, and interior photography, as well as in video production, camera operation, and creative entrepreneurship.
Further Academic Progression
After completing your BA (Hons) Commercial Photography, you can continue your creative journey with postgraduate options such as an MA in Filmmaking, MA in Media and Communication Industries, or MA in Directing for Stage and Screen. These pathways can help you expand into moving-image work, deepen your creative expertise, or prepare for leadership roles within the wider creative industries.
112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualificationA Levels in at least two subjects / A-level: BBCInternational Baccalaureate – 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher LevelGCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in EnglishGCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).Indian English Requirements: CBSE / CICSE / STATE BOARDS: 60% or above Kerala State Board: 65% or above (from 2nd year, i.e. Year 12)ALL OTHER BOARDS / STATE BOARDS: 70% or aboveFor Indian Applicants: Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) / Standard 12 / All India Senior School Certificate / Indian School Certificate / Intermediate Pass Certificate with an overall average of 60%.For US Applicant: Grade B average (or a GPA of 3.0) in your High School Diploma or GED. PUS 1 OF THE FOLLOWING: SAT One with a balanced score of 1600 (old SAT) or 1070 (new SAT), ACT with a composite score of 233 Advanced Placement (AP) Exams with grades of 3 or aboveAll applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio Professional PhotographerCommercial PhotographerAdvertising PhotographerFashion PhotographerProduct PhotographerPortrait PhotographerEditorial PhotographerEvent PhotographerPhotojournalistStudio ManagerCreative DirectorVisual Content CreatorRetoucherPhotography ConsultantArt Buyer
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University of East London
