BA Photography with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Photography, studied over four years including a foundation year. Core topics include research methods and critical and analytical thinking. After the foundation year, students progress to one of the specialist BA programmes available in the School of Film, Media and Design. The course includes an industry experience module and concludes with an independent photography major project.
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
72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass Access to HE Diploma T-Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C) or Level 2 equivalents.
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What students say
Based on about 23 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 76%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Gained a higher qualification: 2%
- Left higher education: 13%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 6%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 20%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 60%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 20%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 61%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Access course: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Personalised Learning
- Study Skills for Success
- Creative Research in Media and Design
- Contextual Studies in Media and Design
- Creative Sectors
- Foundation Major Project
- Creative Sectors in Media and Design
- Major Project (Foundation Year)
- Introduction to Photography: Identity
- Photographic Histories
- Experimental Approaches to Image Production
- Introduction to Photography: Place
- Exhibiting Photographs
- What is Documentary?
- Technologies of Seeing
- Photography Theory
- Narrative Photography
- The Photographic Object
- Industry Experience
- Photography and Society
- The Published Photograph
- Professional Photographic Practice
- Critical Essay
- Image and Text
- Photography Major Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Photography with Foundation Year at University of West London earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £24,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £30,000. The £24,500 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Cinematics and photography.
What do graduates of BA Photography with Foundation Year at University of West London do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Photography with Foundation Year at University of West London?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Photography with Foundation Year at University of West London?
The typical offer is BC at A level. The average entrant had 101 UCAS points.
Is BA Photography with Foundation Year at University of West London accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP).
How many students continue on BA Photography with Foundation Year at University of West London?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 13% left higher education.