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Higher National qualifications provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge that meet the needs of employers. The HNC in Photography develops knowledge and skills in traditional image-making and digital imaging.

The HND in Photography builds on the knowledge and skills of the HNC and gives candidates an opportunity to gain advanced skills within a Photographic specialism.

The course is intended for anyone with a passion for photography and is looking for a potential future professional career in the photographic and visual arts sector. It is aimed at any student who wishes to develop and broaden their skills in photography.

• Professional Development
• Contextual studies
• Individual project
• Conceptual art
• Moving image
• Darkroom techniques
• Photographic Practice
• Communication in Art and design
• Project Management
• Techniques and Processes

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours’ independent learning and assignment activity.

You will be assessed on practical course work, coursework journals and presentations.

The College assesses you through the coursework that you produce as you complete each unit. This may include finished pieces of work, written work, your research, and a reflective journal which allows you to evaluate your learning and highlight your strengths and areas for further development. Many of the units have some form of a photographic portfolio assessment attached that focus on a range of photographic skills and knowledge.

There are two types of assessment that you will receive while on your course:

• Formative assessment is the process whereby your work and progress are assessed at regular intervals with accompanying feedback from staff in order to help to improve your performance. Staff will provide you with feedback on the progress of your work before you reach the assessment point at the end of the unit. This may take place one-to-one with a tutor (e.g. in a tutorial) or in group sessions or during production of photographic work.
• Summative assessment is the process whereby your work is evaluated and given a mark at the end of course unit. Summative assessment formally records your achievement of the unit’s learning outcomes and final feedback.

You will be assessed against the approved unit learning outcomes and assessment requirements as outlined in the unit handbooks, these typically include the module descriptor, assignment brief(s) and programme outline.

Your tutors will help you to track your areas of achievement for each unit/module and to identify and discuss opportunities to collate evidence for module achievement

You will be graded using the Edexcel guidelines and specifications to assess whether the evidence produced for assignments has reached the required standard at pass, merit or distinction level.

Assessment is ongoing within sessions and will comprise of peer and self-assessment as well as tutor assessment. There is a minimum of one piece of assessed work per unit.

Minimum 64 UCAS tariff points from A Levels or a Level 3 diploma in a related subject
Or
An Access to Higher Education course

GCSE grade C or above in English Language (or equivalent qualification) is required.
 
Those with previous experience or learning that is relevant may be eligible via our APL process for accreditation towards this course.

All applicants are required to attend an interview, you will also need to bring with you a portfolio of photographic practice.

A member of the course team will discuss your reasons for applying and your career plan.

These fees relate to 2020/21

Tuition Fees: £6750.00 per year.

All eligible full-time Home and EU undergraduate students are entitled to apply for affordable Student Loans and Grants towards their tuition fees. For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance.

Additional costs: A DBS Enhanced Disclosure is a compulsory requirement of any offer to study on courses which require you to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. Further details on DBS disclosures can be found at GOV.UK, by contacting the DBS information line on 0870 9090 844.

Different fees apply to international/overseas students and those studying this qualification as a standalone course.

Included:

• Induction Week course activities
• Teaching and technical instruction
• Access to, and use of relevant workshops and equipment
• Access to, and use of relevant equipment in studios, including computers
• Materials used as part of timetabled workshop inductions
• Access to, and use of recycled materials within workshop areas
• Access to Academic Registry and Student Support
• Access to Careers Advice
• Access to the Library and associated resources
• Some local study visits

Not included:

• Equipment for your personal or private use
• Day-to-day items you may need as part of your personal, portable toolkit
• Materials for producing your own work beyond inductions
• Books for your personal or private use outside key course texts available in the Library
• Study visits, unless specified
• Course and personal equipment

We advise Photography students to invest in a basic set of equipment to help get started on the course. Depending on your specialism this equipment will inevitably vary; for example, you may give some thought to investing in a Digital SLR camera range of, stationary and a USB stick. We would encourage you to give some consideration to this before starting your course with us, and your future Course Leader will be happy to advise you regarding any queries you may have before starting your course with us.

Because of the choice and diversity of materials for photographic practices, it is not possible to generalise about the costs that you might incur. Course requirements will largely determine the amount which you need to budget. For theatre visits or visiting practitioners your costs will not normally exceed £200. You will be expected to pay for photographic prints and portfolio your costs will not normally exceed £200.

You will be provided with a reading list, these titles are available in our college library. If you chose to purchase your own copies, you can buy used or new from websites such as Amazon.

Information regarding suppliers of related services and materials within the region can be easily obtained from the internet or academic staff within the College.

The following costs should be used as a guide only.

Printing and photocopying costs:
There is no charge for course hand-outs, handbooks etc. Students will receive a printing credit of £10 per annum from the University Centre, after which students will have to pay for extra credits.

Library overdue charges:
Overdue charges apply to all library loans to encourage you to return any resources you borrow on time. Overdue charges are 5p per day per book. There is no charge for e-books rentals.

Graduation Ceremony:
When you graduate, we will invite you to your graduation ceremony. It is free for you to attend, however, to take part you will need to pay to hire an academic robe to wear during the ceremony. Details can be found here: www.edeandravenscroft.com/graduation-services.

The government provides financial assistance to help pay for tuition fees and to help with living costs. To find out more, visit the website at: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

We have a strong commitment to widening access to higher education, and to help we have a range of bursaries and scholarships to support eligible students starting a higher education course with us in September. To find out more, email: hebursaryfund@wakefield.ac.uk

For more information on any funding or money matter issues please contact the Financial Support Team. Get in touch on 01924 789283 or email: student.finance@wakefield.ac.uk

The key aim of the course is to enable students to build a personal portfolio of creative photography work to enable progression in the art sector. After completing the HND qualification, students will also have a strong set of practical skills for entering employment in the sector, or may choose to progress to higher levels of study, such as a top-up year at a university (to achieve a full undergraduate degree), and onwards to postgraduate courses.

Destinations may include seeking commercial commissions as a photographer in editorial, press, advertising or fashion related fields. Other options are working as a photographic assistant, professional involvement in digital or virtual visual or photographic environments, picture and design agencies or photo libraries.

Please apply through UCAS www.ucas.com.

After applying through UCAS or through the college if you are internal student, you will be invited to an interview. You will then be interviewed by a member of the course team to discuss your reasons for applying and your career plan. You will also bring with you a portfolio of photographic practice.

For details on higher education admissions procedures, please see the 'Admissions Code of Practice' document on the Wakefield College website: http://www.wakefield.ac.uk/higher-education/he-policies

A typical group size is between 7 - 15.

We’re committed to a programme of support to ensure that the Equality and Diversity policy is fully effective. We recognise the importance of effective support mechanisms in enabling all students to achieve their potential and will continue to improve provision for students with a disability.

The Additional Support Service is responsible for supporting disabled learners and those with language support needs. The earlier you request support, the quicker it can be provided, so if you know you’ll need support or adjustments, contact us in good time before your course starts. Get in touch on 01924 789120 or email us at: additionalsupportenquiries@wakefield.ac.uk

All units must be achieved in order to gain the correct amount of credits for the level of qualification.

Please contact Jane Robertshaw j.robertshaw@wakefield.ac.uk or 01924 789847 or ring Campus Office on 01924 789803.

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