Foundation Degree in Education, Learning and Development

Course Information

The Foundation Degree in Photography at Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw Campus is a full-time, two-year course, awarded by the University of South Wales.

The course was developed in response to the changing workforce in education, care and working with families. It attracts a mixed cohort including mature students, those who have a non-traditional, vocational route, those with families, in existing employment and some from Level 3 courses at the FE institution.

Students are encouraged to complete a final year at the Atrium, University of South Wales to achieve a full honours degree BA (Hons) Top-up. Students who wish to study at Nantgarw will have access to the University facilities (including the library and student union) and they will be able to attend guest speaker talks, allowing an overall integrated experience.

Overview

This course will give students a wide range of creative and technical photographic skills through stimulating assignments. This includes digital photography, extensive studio and location work (including field trips) as well as traditional silver-based film photography.

Regular visits are made to museums and galleries to inspire students and to ensure they are examining the way in which various contemporary and historical artists and photographers work. This is a creative and practical photography degree which is underpinned by visual culture, contextual elements and the history of photography.

This course has produced award winning students and is designed to ensure that students gain the right skills, experience and confidence to apply for relevant jobs within the creative industries and/or understand how to apply these skills to their own business on completion of the course. The Foundation Degree in Photography aims to provide students with a high-quality learning experience. This includes subject specialist lecturers with industry links and experience that is relevant to creative industries for contemporary practice.

What will I study?

The first year introduces the underpinning skills in use of the camera (both digital and film), darkroom, studio, moving image, specialist Adobe software, contemporary and historical contextualisation and perception of practice. Students will develop their creativity and technical skills through both digital and film photography.

As the course progresses students will be expected to demonstrate a broad curiosity towards wider related practices within the photographic and filmic world. Students will be encouraged to think critically and consider photography and its impact on social, cultural, historical and contemporary practice.

Year 1

Photography and the Real
Photography and Illusion
Study Skills
Photography as Narrative
Critical Practices: Histories
Creative Industries Practical Project

Year 2

Critical Practices: Paradigms
Short Creative Industries Work Placement
Career Development
Consolidated Photographic Practice

Progression

On completion of the Foundation Degree in Photography students are encouraged to progress onto the BA (Hons) Top-up at the University of South Wales. Support with your application to University will be given and a £500 bursary is currently available to those students who wish to study at Level 6.

At the end of the Foundation Degree students should be able to:

Gain an understanding of photography as an art form and/or as a career pathway
Learn how to use the camera to its full potential i.e. manual settings and equipment needed for specific purposes
Understand image editing and post-production techniques
Gain knowledge of photography from a historical and contemporary point of view
Develop opportunities to achieve a career in photography
Make photographic industry links whilst undertaking live briefs and work placement projects

Students on the Foundation Degree in Photography have had the opportunity to work with a range of partners and industry professionals on live briefs and work placements including:

Entry Requirements

Students will require 48 UCAS points, this is the equivalent of 2 A Levels (at Grade D or above) or a relevant BTEC Level 3 qualification with a Merit/Pass, a Level 3 Diploma or a Pass/Pass/Pass, Level 3 Extended Diploma or relevant industry experience for mature learners. Please note that if you do not meet the grade criteria, then age and experience may be able to be taken into consideration.

Entry to the third year BA (Hons) Top-up, delivered at University of South Wales will be on successful completion of the Foundation Degree.

How do I apply?

Apply direct

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UCAS applications

Course code: W640
Institution code: W01
Campus name: Coleg y Cymoedd (Nantgarw)
Campus code: M

Fees and Funding

Course Fees and Funding

Course Fees for the Foundation Degree in Photography are £7500 for full time applicants.

There are grants that may be available. Eligible full-time student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 they will not have to pay back, regardless of their household income, and means-tested grants of up to £8,100 will be available to those who need them most.

Students who wish to study at Higher Education level can contact Student Finance Wales for financial help with course fees, provided that they are living in Wales.

Please note: Fees are payable for each year of study. HE Fees are subject to change on a yearly basis.

For more information visit Welsh Government’s Student Money.

Equipment and Studio Fee

It is important that students have their own Digital SLR with interchangeable lenses and a working home computer or laptop with camera and sound to start the course as well as other basic equipment i.e. stationary, books etc.

Other cost considerations associated with the course might be: memory cards, tripods, USB/Harddrive storage, files/sketchbooks and frames. Some of these materials can be purchased in our Art Shop at a student-discounted rate. As part of the requirements for different Modules you will also be required to pay for your own photographic prints (print services are available).

Equipment loan options are provided for Canon and Nikon cameras and other specialist equipment is available.

Studio fees are payable of £100 per year. These fees are to be paid at main reception during your Induction week where a receipt will be given to you as confirmation of payment. You must keep this receipt as proof of payment to collect your materials. e given to you as confirmation of payment. You must keep this receipt as proof of payment to collect your materials. Below is an example of the materials supplied as part of the studio fees. The other part of the fee is used for servicing, maintenance, trips and part of the guest speaker programme.

A3 portfolio and A3 sleeves
2 x Ilford HP5+ film
Masking tape
Repositionable spray mount
Swann and Morton handle and blades
Metal ruler
A3 cutting mat

Staff Information

Sharon Reed – Course Leader FD Education Learning and Development

01443 816 888
Block G, G302, Ystrad Mynach Campus

sharon.reed@cymoedd.ac.uk

Carrie Jones – Module Leader FD Education Learning and Development

01443 816 888
Block G, G302, Ystrad Mynach Campus

carrie.jones@cymoedd.ac.uk

Vanessa Arnold – Module Leader FD Education Learning and Development

01443 663 202
Rhondda Campus

vanessa.arnold@cymoedd.ac.uk

Claire Hughes-Davies – Module Leader FD Education Learning and Development

01443 663 202
Rhondda Campus

claire.hughesdavies@cymoedd.ac.uk

Facilities

Professional teaching classrooms
Digital Technology – ‘Green Room’ VR in the classroom

What our students say

JA Evans

“Sharon is passionate about the topic and this transfers to her teaching when she makes it challenging but fun, I really enjoy coming to college, and even though qualified at L3 feel that I am learning all of the time, she is encouraging and motivating, a miracle worker!”

L Moremon

“The support we get is second to none, Sharon is always ready to give advice when needed, the methods she uses in the classroom, we can use in our practice – developing our skills as practitioners and helping us become the best we can ever be – perfect! The rapport she builds is essential especially now, but it has been ever present over the last 4 years – I and the rest of us, couldn’t have done it without her.”

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