Course Description
MA Photography at London College of Communication offers a variety of conceptual approaches to thinking, writing and exhibiting photography.
It is a research-led course that equips students for a wider inquiry into the photographic medium, using a single exhibition project which students develop over the 15-months.
This exhibition gives students the chance to produce a distinctive body of work, by supporting their individual practice through encouraging visual experimentation, theoretical contextualisation, and active research processes.
Situated within the Media School, we understand photography as an interdisciplinary medium, that expands as an effect on, and of culture.
As part of the respective project development, we interrogate the agency of a piece of work and its relationship with the viewer, in a post-documentary environment, alongside thinking about non-representational strategies in installation.
We encourage students to work experimentally and produce work that tests the boundaries of the medium, encompassing the still image, video, installation, performance and digital media, and culminating in a public exhibition.
What can you expect?
There are both analogue and digital photography facilities at London College of Communication, including colour and black-and-white darkrooms, photographic studios and a Mac-based digital suite including Imacon scanners, as well as medium and large format analogue cameras, digital cameras, HD video cameras and lighting equipment.
Students also have access to other technical facilities such as the 3D workshop or screen-printing.
The course runs for 45 weeks from September to December (15 months full time, across a four-term model) and attendance is 2 days per week.
The course is demanding of time and commitment in addition to attendance, and you will need a considerable capacity for self-directed study to fulfil the aims of the programme.
Please note: The course assumes that you are technically proficient and able to research and develop any further skills you require.
Technical tuition is restricted to the tutorial support of individual projects. If you need to acquire a significant skill base, then you are advised to do so before you apply for the course.
Course Content
Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves four units, totalling 180 credits.
Autumn, Term 1
Exploring the Possibilities (60 credits)
Following an Induction Week, you will begin to develop a body of work with tutorial support. This is the practice that defines your assessment submissions and encompasses technical, theoretical and professional considerations.
You will also receive a series of critical context seminars to help you start developing your critical context paper synopsis.
Spring, Term 2
Taking an Idea Forward (40 credits)
Collaborative Unit (20 credits)
Taking an Idea Forward builds on the experience of Exploring the Possibilities unit, allowing you to consolidate and develop your knowledge and experience.
You will focus on and further develop one of your ideas for the body of work explored in the Exploring the Possibilities unit. You'll also continue to develop a critical framework for your work through critical context seminars and the submission of the critical context paper.
Increasingly, students take responsibility for leading seminars and group tutorials with staff acting as facilitators.
In the Collaborative Unit, you will develop an interim show of your work together with your peers and other input.
Summer, Term 3
Taking an Idea Forward (continued)
Resolving Outcomes (60 credits)
Autumn, Term 4
Resolving Outcomes (continued)
In the Resolving Outcomes unit, you'll undertake the resolution, finalisation, and presentation of the body of work in an exhibition or any other outcomes you decide on, individually or as a group.
Through both practice and your written submission of critical rationale, you will demonstrate a reflective understanding of the medium, the critical and professional context, and the position of your practice within it.
You will need a high level of commitment and self-management to achieve the course outcomes.
In addition to formal teaching sessions, seminar work, presentations, and tutorial work you'll also be expected to engage in independent research, writing, coursework, and the origination, development and completion of the body of work, for which both tutor and peer support is provided through individual tutorials, group discussions, and peer review.
If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards.
A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.
Entry Requirements
The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world. Applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient prior knowledge of and/or potential in photography to be able to successfully complete the programme of study and/ or have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject.
MA Photography does not include technical teaching (although it does include technical advice and support) and if there are specific programmes or techniques that you need to acquire in order to realise your creative ideas on MA Photography then we would advise prior acquisition of these before applying to the course.
The course team also welcomes students with relevant experience or those who may have previously worked in industry.
Educational level may be demonstrated by:
- Honours degree (named above);
- Possession of equivalent qualifications;
- Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
- Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.
APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning)
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
- Related academic or work experience
- The quality of the personal statement
- A strong academic or other professional reference
- OR a combination of these factors
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
Language requirements
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.
- IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with 5.5 in each of the four skills.
Assessment Methods
- Critical context paper
- Project proposal
- Body of work
Additional Information
Course dates
Autumn, term 1
30 September 2019 – 6 December 2019
Spring, term 2
6 January 2020 – 13 March 2020
Summer, term 3
14 April 2020 – 24 July 2020
Autumn, term 4
21 September 2020 – 4 December 2020
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