Photography - Level 3 (UAL Extended Diploma)

Our Extended Diploma in Photography is right for you if you wish to pursue a career in professional photography or, to take your first step in uplevelling your existing skills before progressing to higher education.

Throughout the two years of our course, there is regular tutorial support from our expert tutors with professional experience in the industry. You will be expected to work independently outside of taught sessions to practise and perfect your skills.

Year One is project and assignment based, covering the key areas of:
* Camera Skills
* Technical Processes
* Specialist Genres
* Technical Processes

Year Two focusses on developing your independent, creative decisions, covering the key areas of:
* Specialist Practice
* Independent Study and Portfolio Development
* Professional Skills
* A Final Major Project

What will I learn on this course?

• To use the camera as a tool for expression.
• To develop creative practice.
• The technical aspects of the camera to produce professional quality work.
• How to use a black and white 35mm film camera.
• How to use medium and large format cameras.
• Digital SLR and image manipulation with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
• Video making skills, using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit.

The work on the course is project/assignment based, and assessment is continuous throughout the course. Some units will be subject to external assessment.

The units in the first two terms are assessed at Pass grade only. The final unit is awarded a grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction. This unit is achieved through a personal proposal and exhibition and decides the overall grade for the qualification.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

Our level 3 vocational courses qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. This course is an UAL extended diploma which is delivered over two years and you could achieve up to 168 UCAS points (which is equivalent to three A* grades at A-Level).

UAL extended diplomas are graded as a pass, merit or distinction (with distinction being the highest grade).

The following table gives some examples on the amount of UCAS points you can achieve on a UAL extended diploma:

| UAL grade | UCAS Points |
| --- | --- |
| D | 168 |
| M | 120 |
| P| 72 |

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.

You will need:

• 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher, including English, Maths and a relevant creative-based subject

Or:

• A relevant Level 2 qualification at Merit or Distinction standard studied at CWA or another further education provider
• English and maths GCSEs at grade 4 or higher

Substantial Level 2 vocational qualifications in relevant subjects will be accepted as GCSE equivalent (with the exception of English and maths).

You will be invited to an informal interview to help ensure the course is right for you. You will need to bring a portfolio of your creative work for the course team to look at. This is to showcase your creative flair, visual research, ideas and technical skills and can consist of a range of work from different medias such as drawing, painting, photography or 3D design. We really like to see sketchbooks however work can also be presented through photographs.