BA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
About this course
BA (Hons) in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, a photography degree focused on visual storytelling, news reporting, and contemporary documentary practice. Core topics include Research Methods and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students undertake practical training in image-making, collaborative publication, and multimedia production while examining the social and legal contexts of media representation. The first year establishes fundamental technical abilities and theoretical frameworks through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, Collaborative Publication, Histories and Theories of Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, Practical Photojournalism, Multimedia Storytelling, and Law, Ethics and Social Principles. The second year expands into extended documentary work and collaborative live briefs via Contemporary Documentary 1, The Live Brief (Industry, Community and Collaboration), Contemporary Documentary 2, and Reading and Writing as Critical Practice. The final year centres on independent production and professional preparation through Major Project: Development and Production, Research Project, Major Project: Realisation and Outputs, and Creative Futures.
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
A level: BCC
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What students say
Based on about 20 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 63%
- South East: 18%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Bronze overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
- Collaborative Publication
- Histories and Theories of Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
- Practical Photojournalism
- Multimedia Storytelling
- Law, Ethics and Social Principles
- Contemporary Documentary 1
- The Live Brief (Industry, Community and Collaboration)
- Contemporary Documentary 2
- Reading and Writing as Critical Practice
- Major Project: Development and Production
- Research Project
- Major Project: Realisation and Outputs
- Creative Futures
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at University of the Arts London earn?
The median salary is £20,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £32,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Journalism.
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at University of the Arts London?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at University of the Arts London?
The typical offer is BCC at A level. The average entrant had 137 UCAS points.
Does BA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at University of the Arts London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at University of the Arts London?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.