Sunderland University BA Photography, Video, Digital Imaging Course

Just heard from Stef - an ex-student from 2003.  She is now in her 3rd year at Sunderland.  Cheers for the info.

"This course is Art based.
I have stuck with Photography and some web and cd-rom design myself,  
so while Video is available I can’t give information on it.

The course structure:
First Year
Technical skills are taught  by means of various short practical  
projects. There is also one written module (two barely essays, 500  
words and 1000 words I think). There is an alternative printing module  
available (this one is oversubscribed – first come, first serve).

Second Year
You have the choice between a self-negotiated project (you make up  
your own theme) or a documentary project in which you produce a book.  
You learn how to challenge stereotypes, work in a collaborative  
project with someone of your choice outside the course and produce a  
site specific project (not for gallery or book form) as well as  
attending a colour photography module. Again there are two short  
essays of up to 2000 words to write.

Third Year
In third year you learn how to work on a commission by means of yet  
another practical project. You also have self-negotiated projects in  
which you will produce a portfolio and work on your final exhibition.  
Once a week you will attend an artist talk. The final written piece is  
only 6000 words long.

The Staff
Lecturers and technicians are very helpful. If you ask for help their  
doors are always open and they are happy to help. There are many group  
and individual tutorials and a lot of importance is put on learning to  
give each other constructive critique. Many of the lecturers are  
associated with the IPRN and/or the Side Gallery.

Side Gallery: http://www.amber-online.com/
IPRN: http://www.theiprn.org/index.php

Equipment
Darkrooms are mostly tray processing, but there is one b&w machine  
processing darkroom as well. There is one (largely unused) enlarger  
with which you can print as large as the wall allows as well as a  
canvas printer.
There is a colour darkroom, a digital darkroom and a variety of high  
res negative scanners and photo quality inkjet printers.

There are two studios, a large number of 6x6 and 6x7 medium format  
cameras and 5x4 large format cameras are available from the  
technician’s stores, portable studio lighting kits, video equipment (I  
haven’t used this so you d have to get details from the uni) etc.
You can loan equipment from the university for free as long as you  
provide your own insurance. (e.g. if you want to take out a large  
format camera the insurance will cost you about £ 4 per month)

The Area
The north east is a very poor region. Although things are improving up  
here there is still a high unemployment rate (most employment is in  
call centres and manufacturing or retail. There are also jobs within  
the uni). Living costs are therefore low.
There is lots of night life up here – getting drunk as fast as  
possible being the aim for most.
Saying that, there are a lot of changes for the better happening up  
here and if you are interested in going into documentary photography  
you will find a variety of projects happening in the region which you  
can use as a starting point for your own work (have look at the side  
gallery’s website for instance).

Study abroad is available."

For more info click here.

Barking College - HND in Photography

Matt - ex-evening student has just finished his HNC at Barking. His views on the course are:

"Errr not sure where to start really the HND itself is not what I was expecting as it's supposed to be more practical based but it's endless project after project with folders of research which are a massive pain in the arse. Also it being in Romford wasn't great! Not your typical uni life! the coures itself was good with some good tutors and good equiptment. but the head of department was very difficult to get along with and favored some and not others. So all in all the cons out way the pro's."

For more info - click this link.

University College for Creative Arts

This is from Tom - ex-evening Student who went off to Farnham - he graduated Summer 2006 and is now working for a fashion/advertising agency in Camden.

"Photography BA honsUniversity College for Creative Arts, Surrey (former SIAD)
course:theory - lecture based, about 2/3 essays per year 2,000 words each.
dissertation 3rd year, 8,000 with individual tutorials.
1st year lectures a little tough to get into but once an interest VERY relevant.
practical - conceptually thought projects, researched, images produced, mounted, presented to class.
digital project, studio project, group project, individual project...etc project time longer towards the third year.
technical - variety of sign up workshops - digital, med format, flash, studio, large format etc
Overall i enjoyed the college.
teaching was good, interesting visiting lecturers. good library.
The course offers lots but must be self motivated to maximise this.
other: small village, no clubs, limited sport activities/organisations, limited people\places to socialise, (although less than 1hour to london, 7miles guildford).
student union offers very limited services - only caters for popular majority (school disco, rock night)."

For more info on course - click here.

BA Hons Photograhy at University of Derby

Latest post from Huw - graduated from University of Derby - BA Hons Photography in June 2006.

"Not a typical Photography course, is quite contextually based and gets students to interrogate images. Focuses more on Fine Art Photography although has good basis on technical side of Photography - digital and traditional. Two lecturers have worked for Vogue and all staff are practising artists which is good to gain knowledge on current art scene. Course does require dedication and the more you put in the more you will get out. Just about to move into new block - for details check out website. Excellent colour suite and technician support - well stocked stores with loads of pro kit. Currently doing pioneering research into digital black and white printing facilities. I thought it was wicked - third year was by far the best - staff listen to feedback on the course and change it accordingly. Really good mix between the years. Also have a commerical photography course - but don't know much about that one!"

To find out more about the course - click here.