BA Commercial Photography
About this course
BA (Hons) in Photography, combining design and creative practice with critical analysis. Core topics include Design & Creative Practice, Ethics & Professional Practice, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Computer Architecture. The programme is supported by the Association of Photographers (AOP) and linked to the FORMAT International Photography Festival. Students can undertake commercial photographic work during their studies and incorporate it into their portfolio development.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 104 A level: BCC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 77%
- Organisation and management: 57%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 81%
- Gained a higher qualification: 2%
- Left higher education: 17%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 45%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 125 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 12%
- East Midlands: 50%
- West Midlands: 14%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 3%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- Other HE qualification: 7%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Photographic Practice
- Photographic Studio Production - People
- Photographic Studio Production - Objects
- Histories of Photography
- Theories of Photography
- The Visual Message and The Audience
- Digital Innovation and Creative Practice
- Visual Context and Creative Exploration
- The Unfolding Image
- Digital Lab - Explorations
- Social Practice Lab – Explorations
- Materials Lab - Explorations
- Culture Lab - Image Explorations
- Creative Industry and Enterprise Lab - Explorations
- Photography in Practice
- The Photographic Project
- Independent Development Project
- Digital Lab - Strategies
- Social Practice Lab - Strategies
- Materials Lab - Strategies
- Culture Lab - Curatorial Strategies
- Creative Industry and Enterprise Lab - Strategies
- Independent Critical Strategies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Commercial Photography at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £17,500 after 3 years, £21,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,500. The £21,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Cinematics and photography.
What do graduates of BA Commercial Photography at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Commercial Photography at University of Derby?
80% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Commercial Photography at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BCC at A level. The average entrant had 107 UCAS points.
Does BA Commercial Photography at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Commercial Photography at University of Derby?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 17% left higher education.