BA (Hons) Digital Photography

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Home - Sep 2025 Overseas - Sep 2025

Currently reading: Course overview

Starts: Sep 2025
Duration: 3 years
Mode: Full time
UCAS code: W640
Fees: UK: £9,535 (2025/26) / INT: £17,000 (2025/26)

Ideal for...budding digital photographers who wish to bring messages to life through powerful imagery.

Picture perfect.

Nothing tells a story like a powerful image. Digital photography is one of the most dynamic mediums within the creative industries. It is a dominant force in shaping and defining contemporary society. Choose between three strands; sport, fashion and editorial/advertising, and graduate with everything you need to succeed in the international creative industries.

Student work on the Digital Photography course

Digital Photography by student Benjamin Peters

Digital photography student work by Benjamin Peters

Oliva Fabb Digital Photography student work

Undergraduate work on Digital Photography course

Why study this photography degree course?

Nurture a diverse skillset across a range of digital photography sub-disciplines
Industry-focused and exceptional industry connections
Work-based learning opportunities
Mix of practice and theory-based learning modules
Supported by expert teaching staff and visiting professionals.

Nothing tells a story like a powerful image. Digital photography is one of the most dynamic mediums within the creative industries; it is a dominant force in shaping and defining contemporary society.

This digital photography course in London, UK, is the destination for budding contemporary photographers who wish to push the boundaries of a powerful medium. Recognised by leading industry bodies such as the Association of Photographers (AOP) and the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), you will learn to decipher creative briefs, develop your own photographic style and prepare collections for exhibitions and competitions.

This industry-focused photography degree provides an education in the broader areas of digital photographic practice and will instil an understanding of the rapidly changing principles and methods that underpin new and emerging creative commercial practice.

You will use practical skills, knowledge and critical application of digital photography, helping you to explore the creative potential of your camera. Through a mix of practice and theory-based learning, you will be taught to think like a photographer and explore how images are created, shared, distributed and sold.

This future-focused photography degree course from Ravensbourne University London is designed to combine practical skills with a knowledge of the critical application of digital photography. You will explore the creative potential of the camera and the theories and movements that drive change.

You will be encouraged to develop your own distinctive portfolio to showcase a high level of technical skill, whilst understanding the theory of photography, as well as seek opportunities for placements at top London agencies and photographers. You will also be encouraged to work collaboratively with other students across the college and different disciplines.

When I arrived for my interview at Ravensbourne, I fell in love with it instantly. The digital photography course was exactly what I wanted, a course that is completely industry led and gave me access to incredible kit. ”

—

Jessica Kelly , BA (Hons) Digital Photography alumna

Key study topics

This degree in photography provides an education in the broader areas of digital photographic practice. You will develop a diverse skillset skills across:

Photojournalism
Editorial
Documentary
Portraiture
Advertising
Fashion
Music
Architecture
Picture research
PR.

The specifics

Downloadable course specification

Students will build fundamental skills in photographic equipment.

They will learn about still and also motion and post-production software alongside a working proficiency and knowledge of the industry.

Students will begin to think about their own practice and build confidence in image generation and platform selection.

Modules may include*:

Beginning of craft
The Industry
Study options - mini briefs
Specialist workflows
Professional Life Practice: "Developing your Practice"
Professional Life Practice: "Exploring your Practice".

*Subject to change.

Students will gain a greater understanding of equipment and software such as Leica M, Phase One and Hassleblad and Linhof medium format cameras.

They will think about the specialist areas of photography and where they are applied.

This will allow them to enhance their practice and develop their own approach to the digital creative work.

We set a variety of live project briefs, and encourage students to take up work-based learning.

Modules may include*:

Exploring the Industry
Narrative and Sequence
Portfolio and Context
Professional Life Practice: "Applying your Practice"
Work-based learning.

*Subject to change.

Students will bring their learning together in a final major digital photography project, ready for exhibition at the degree show.

By this stage many students will already be published and working on projects in the creative industries.

Alongside this, they will create a self-initiated, experimental brief that addresses their own personal creative direction, and will form part of your principal working portfolio.

We ask students to show your contextual studies research and thinking in a long form dissertation.

Modules may include*:

Client Brief
Personal Folio
Professional Life Practice: "Situating your Practice"
Professional Review.

*Subject to change.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

Two A Levels at grade CC or above
BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
T Level (pass or above)
Access to Higher Education Diploma
International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our interview and/or portfolio process.

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design. Applicants are expected to submit a portfolio of work which shows a range of their skills and demonstrates why they would be a good fit for the course.

We may also consider a combination of portfolio and academic qualifications and take into consideration progress made during studies and/or relevant work experience.

UK students

Simply select your chosen start date using the 'Apply now' dropdown at the top of this page, and you will be directed to the appropriate course page on the UCAS website. The UCAS code for this course is located in the course overview bar at the top of this page.

The UCAS website will guide you through the simple application process. You can also apply through your school or college using the UCAS system.

Learn more: how to apply for an undergraduate degree course

The entry requirements for this course can be found in the relevant section above.

International students

Simply select your chosen start date using the 'Apply now' dropdown at the top of this page, and you will be directed to the appropriate application form.

For information on study routes, visa requirements, studying in England, language and entry requirements, application requirements and access to international agents, please visit our international section.

Quick links:

Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of an interview and portfolio (or showreel).

If you wish to study our BA (Hons) Digital Photography degree course, we will need to see examples of previous work that showcases your suitability for the course.

Please show a selection of your best images showing your range and experiences.

Aim for between 19 to 21 images to show a varied and coherent selection.

Make this an electronic PDF document – make sure to add your name and contact details and any text that might be relevant to introduce your images. You can also add links to your website or Instagram page if you would like us to see a broader range of your work outside of this main selection.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel and preparing for your interview. It also details our specific requirements.

You can’t learn in a vacuum. At Ravensbourne University London, industry connection is ingrained into everything we do. We will equip you for success in the creative and digital industries, ensuring you are truly industry ready upon graduation. Our tutors are respected academics and practitioners with substantial experience and industry links.

You will be part of a diverse community of creatives, working collaboratively to explore new professional practices. Ravensbourne have strong industry links with a range of high-profile companies, including: Apple, Barclays, the BBC, European Space Agency, Marks & Spencer, Museum of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Samsung and many more.