Photography With Foundation Year
Full-time
Four year
September 2025
In a nutshell
The world of arts and media is changing at a phenomenal rate, and there has never been a better time to explore your creativity and the ways in which you can apply it to the world around you.
The Foundation Year of this four-year programme aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BA (Hons) Photography course.
This Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the key principles of art, design and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, it gives you a chance to build a larger portfolio, and provides a good transition period to familiarise yourself with the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, and life as a student at the University of Salford. You will then be in a strong position to progress onto your chosen degree pathway.
This is a shared Foundation Year across Art, Design and Media disciplines, and will introduce you to a collaborative environment where you can explore ideas, take creative risks and become a confident independent learner. You will be joining a thriving and creative community.
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You can also find helpful FAQs and learn more about student life at Salford by exploring all of our Art and Design courses or, if you have any general questions, please contact course enquiries.
Continue reading to learn more about this BA (Hons) Photography course.
You will:
- develop your creative skills and academic confidence
- familiarise yourself with student life
- prepare to study on one of our degree programmes
This is for you if...
You want to work with industry-standard equipment, in studios to support you from image capture through to exhibition.
You want to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable creative play while exploring contemporary photographic practices.
All about the course
Foundation Year
The Foundation Year will provide you with a dynamic, exciting and collaborative environment in which to become a confident self-learner, with the underpinning skills and knowledge to apply to your studies. You will be taught with students interested in progressing to different art, design and media programmes, and study modules that will help you increase your knowledge and understanding of basic art and design as well as other aspects of creative thinking.
Our strong connections within Greater Manchester’s thriving creative sector mean you will also hear from practitioners working in the industry right now about their journey into the world of art and design.
In the first term you will study modules that introduce the key concepts, skills and knowledge of art and design, and help you to develop your study skills such as note-taking and structuring reports. In the second semester, you will further develop your creative practice and be introduced to the creative industries.
The assignments are flexible enough to allow you to interpret and tailor your submissions to your preferred area of study. Tutors will help and support you in creating a portfolio of work to progress onto the BA (Hons) Interior Design here at the University of Salford. You will be integrated slowly into the degree course with opportunities to meet tutors from the BA and by using shared collaborative facilities within our vibrant New Adelphi building.
This Foundation Year prepares you to study on the three-year undergraduate programme here at Salford meaning the duration of your degree is four years in total. The Foundation Year is not a standalone qualification.
Following the Foundation Year, you would progress onto the three years of BA (Hons) Photography:
By providing you with a solid foundation in photographic theory and practice, this course will offer you the opportunity to take risks, explore ideas and realise your creative potential. The course aims to create flexible, resourceful and creative photographers with well-developed transferable skills that can be applied to a broad range of commercial, commerce and art-based careers.
You will work with industry-standard equipment and studios to support you from image capture through to exhibition. You will learn to apply a range of practical contemporary photographic and digital skills in order to explore the creative and intellectual potential of existing, experimental and digital photographic techniques and their application within the creative arts and media industries.
Some of the career routes that photography graduates go on to include, archivists, art directors, curators, digital artists, exhibiting photographers, freelancers, picture researchers, printers, retouchers, studio managers, teachers, videographers. You will also have the potential to move across into related careers in marketing, branding, technical support and PR.
Digital Media Applications
This module helps you to become more familiar and confident with technology. As well as learning creative software and photography skills, it will allow you to explore a creative subject of your choice and give you essential time management and research skills.
Creative Methods
This module will enable you to examine the creative and professional practice of others as a way of reflecting on your own practice. You’ll create a range of outcomes to help you build a dedicated portfolio as well as learning about major influences in art and design.
Creative Risk Taking
This module is all about challenging your creative thought and highlighting the importance of creative risk taking. The briefs allow you to produce a range of outcomes that underpin all of the main art and design disciplines as well as giving you the flexibility to interpret the brief to your area of interest.
Creative Practice Major Project
This module is designed to allow you to bring together all your prior learning from the previous modules. It gives you the opportunity to propose and create your own brief based on a theme, topic, or issue that you are passionate about. Within this module you’ll be supported by tutors who will guide you in creating a meaningful body of work that demonstrates confidence in your chosen area. Your work will be exhibited in the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology's end of year Degree Show.
Introduction to the Creative Industries
This module allows you to explore the creative industries and its career opportunities. You’ll learn about a range of subjects including responsible design and future trends within your chosen area of art and design. It will allow you to build on the technical skills that you gained in the first semester to produce a creative publication.
Imagined communities
In this module you are introduced to analogue capture and processing of images in the darkroom. Over six weeks you will learn skills such as camera handling, editing, and printing on traditional media. In addition to this, you'll be introduced to historical and contemporary debate in relation to documentary image making. The skills and knowledge gained during this module will form the foundation from which you'll build your own unique approach towards image making.
- Camera Control (shutter, aperture, ISO)
- Processing 35mm B&W film
- Darkroom techniques (contact printing, enlarging, graded printing, presentation)
Street and Studio
In this module you are introduced to studio and location-based lighting, and develop your digital post production skills including image manipulation, printing, and the finishing of printed images. Over six weeks, you will learn skills such as advanced camera handling, lighting, and archival pigment printing and mounting. In addition to this, you will be introduced to historical and contemporary debate in relation to portraiture, identity and working with people. The skills and knowledge gained during this module build upon your previous module to make you a more informed and aware image maker.
- Digital Camera Control & Tethered Capture
- Introduction to digital post production (Adobe Photoshop), studio and location-based lighting
- Archival pigment printing & archival mounting and finishing
Urban and Rural
In this module you are introduced to traditional and more experimental approaches to image capture and basic digital post-production including Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Over six weeks students learn about space, place and environments, mapping, and more diverse presentation methods. In addition to this, students are introduced to historical and contemporary debate in relation to the representation of landscape, space/ place, authorship, and the city.
- Appropriated capture and mapping
- Digital post and interpretation of statistical and geographical data
- Hybrid and large format output
Photography and the Book
In this module you are introduced to photography and it’s relation to self-publishing and Artist’s books. Over six weeks students learn about layout, desktop publishing and basic binding techniques. In addition to this, students are introduced to historical and contemporary debate in relation to publishing and artists’ books.
- Digital post production (Adobe PhotoShop) & desktop publishing (Adobe InDesign)
- Stitching and binding techniques
- Book design & production techniques (concept, editing, printing)
Establishing Frameworks
This module introduces you to the importance of elements of working as a professional, and presenting your work to a defined market. Over 24 weeks you will learn about researching skills, photographic careers, and benefit from visiting lecturer opportunities, where you will get to interact with other year groups. Copyright and legal debates are covered, and you will develop your presentation skills.
- Presentation and research skills
- Introduction to copyright and legal issues
- Constructing a portfolio for defined markets
Exploring Creative Contexts
This module is designed to encourage you to explore, consider and reflect on a range of perspectives in the field of creative practice. Sessions focus on issues affecting photography and visual culture. Over twenty-four weeks you will be introduced to a range of approaches towards critical analysis of visual and text based sources.
- Critical and contextual awareness
- Knowledge and understanding of contemporary image making
- Research and communication skills
Constructing Worlds and Meanings
In this module you are asked to respond to the construction of meaning and narrative in relation to both still and moving images. Over six weeks students learn about set construction, large format and moving image capture and post production. In addition to this, students are asked to engage and reflect upon historical and contemporary debate in relation to narrative, truth and photography.
- Set building
- HD video capture and large format camera control
- Proposal writing
Exploring Possibilities
In this module you are asked to respond to experimental modes of image making and presentation. Over six weeks students learn camera-less photography, emerging forms of media (including 3D capture and output), and varying forms of presentation and dissemination. In addition to this, students are asked to engage and reflect upon historical and contemporary debate in relation to experimental research, image making and dissemination.
- Introduction to convergent, 3D, hybrid capture
- Experimental modes of presentation
- Engage with the interdisciplinary nature of photography
Photography in Context
In this module you are asked to respond to an outside venue with a group photography exhibition. Over six weeks students learn art handling, promotion and working with others. In addition to this, students are asked to engage and reflect upon historical and contemporary debate in relation to experimental research, image making and dissemination.
- Art handling and curation
- Marketing and exhibition promotion
- Making site specific work
Opportunities and Industry
In this module you are asked focus on and engage with the broad industry of photographic practices. Over six weeks students learn about a broad range of opportunities for employment and funding. Students are asked to engage and reflect upon their own skills and interests, communication strategies and developing funding proposals towards either a work placement or developed funding bid. Students can engage in placements in the trimester 2 module Opportunities and Industry. Prior to arranging their placements students are given support in researching potential future careers paths and job opportunities. The type and duration of work placements depend on the experience the student is looking to gain and typically spreads over two to six weeks. Students are supported in finding opportunities and are assessed on the supporting course work material they develop as part of the module. The placements themselves are not assessed. Examples of the kind of placements students have previously undertaken are: assisting commercial photographer, studio assistant, museum and gallery archive assistant and teaching assistant.
Developing Frameworks
In this module, you are asked to identify and engage with your personal and career aspirations. Over twenty-four weeks you will learn about photographic careers, marketing yourself in print and electronic forms, and photographic awards and competitions. Additionally, you will benefit from visiting lecturer opportunities, where you will get to interact with other year groups.
- Career development and planning
- Entering competitions and awards
- Constructing a portfolio and marketing materials
Responding to Creative Contexts
This module is designed to encourage you to investigate, collaborate and make connections across a range of contexts related to the theory and practice of photography. Over twenty-four weeks you'll be asked to engage with a range of approaches towards critical analysis of visual and text based sources.
- Presentation skills
- Structuring written assignments
- Research and referencing skills
Towards Resolution
In this module you will research, plan and test ideas leading towards a major body of photographic work. Over twelve weeks students will be guided towards investigating subject(s) of interest using photography (and/or expanded media). Students engage and reflect upon their research and practice in terms of personal, cultural, social and/or historical debates.
- Guided supervision
- Planning and research
- Investigation, experimentation and evaluation
Resolution
In this module you will undertake a major photographic exploration of identified subject(s). Drawing upon work that you have undertaken previously, you will manage your skills and knowledge and negotiate with supervisors to create an engaging major photographic (or related media) investigation of identified themes. Over twelve weeks students will be guided towards finalizing a major body of photographic work (and/or expanded media). Students engage and reflect upon their research and practice in terms of personal, cultural, social and/or historical debates.
- Guided supervision
- Extended project conception, execution and output
- Applying appropriate skills and processes
Applying Frameworks
In this module, you are asked to identify and engage with your personal and career aspirations. Over twenty-four weeks you will learn about photographic careers, marketing yourself in print and electronic forms, and photographic awards and competitions. Additionally, you will benefit from visiting lecturer opportunities, where you will get to interact with other year groups.
- Personal career planning for graduates working in photography (and related fields)
- Exhibiting and promoting your work
- Constructing a final portfolio and marketing materials
Independent Research Project
This module provides an opportunity for you to engage in a detailed examination of an aspect of visual culture of your choice. Over twenty-four weeks you are encouraged to explore connections between your proposed study and your studio practice in a connected but distinct programme, thereby underpinning and strengthening your own practice and providing an intensification of understanding.
- Advanced presentation skills
- Structuring extended written assignments
- Advanced research and referencing skills
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
BE A PART OF A CREATIVE, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
All our Art, Design and Fashion courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.
Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.
For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.
Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
ART AND DESIGN FACILITIES
This Foundation Year degree in Photography is based at our £55 million New Adelphi building, the home of design and creativity on campus.
When you study with us, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll teach you how to use our art and design facilities. These include:
Studio space – dedicated areas for each course, giving you room to think and create.
Maker Space workshop - create digital rapid prototypes using 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters and more.
Photography studios - industry standard photographic studios, which you can use in conjunction with darkrooms and digital printing facilities.
New Adelphi Theatre – industry-standard live 350-seat theatre at the New Adelphi which is open to the public. It’s three floors of tiered seating, it’s the largest of our performing spaces.
Workshops – from print to textiles, wood to metal, our range of workshops allow you to take your ideas from page to reality and work in a variety of media.
Mac suites - equipped with the industry-standard software you’ll need during your studies and in the world of work.
To see for yourself, take a 360 tour of our New Adelphi building.
You’ll also be able to make use of our New Adelphi Theatre. The industry-standard live 350-seat theatre is located in our New Adelphi building. It’s also open to the public, and with its three floors of tiered seating, it’s the largest of our performing spaces.
What about after uni?
Photography graduates could go on to be exhibiting photographers, lecturers, art directors, conservators, arts administrators, digital artists, picture researchers, studio managers or even running their own practice. Graduates will also have the potential to move across into related careers in marketing, branding, museum curatorial, project management, technical support and PR.
Further study
MA Socially Engaged Photography
Career Links
You will meet industry professionals, including guest speakers, curators, artists, organisers and/or affiliated non-profit organisations involved in the promotion of photography. Guest lecturers are incorporated into the curriculum and are key to expanding your knowledge and enabling a broad understanding of the options available in the photographic field.
What you need to know
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
By applying to this Foundation Year you are applying to a four-year programme - the shared Foundation Year, followed by a three-year art, design or media degree here at University of Salford. The Foundation Year is not a standalone qualification.
APPLICANT PROFILE
You should have a good range of academic qualifications combined with an appropriate portfolio of work, clearly evidencing ideas and concept driven work.
You should possess both commitment and drive in addition to an appreciation of historical and contemporary practice. The ideal student studying this course should be passionate regarding the subject matter and possess a high degree of self motivation.
The program is challenging and requires a mature approach. We are looking for students who demonstrate a broad spectrum of relative skills and talents as they apply to the changing nature of the practice of photography.
As part of the selection process, you may be invited to submit an online portfolio of your work. All suitable applicants to the course are invited for interview where you will be expected to present a portfolio of art and design work. If you are called for interview we will send you further guidance well in advance.
In your personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), we would like to know more about why you are interested in Photography, what inspires you in the arts and photography sector, and what you hope to gain from the Foundation Year.
GCSE
English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
A level
64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred
T Levels
Pass: D or E in core subject.
UCAS tariff points
64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred
BTEC National Diploma
MPP
Access to HE
Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 64 points (relevant subject)
Scottish Highers
64 points including an Art & Design subject
Irish Leaving Certificate
64 points including an Art & Design subject
International Baccalaureate
24 points including art and design related subjects
European Baccalaureate
Pass Diploma with 60% overall
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £8,505.00 for Foundation Year and £9,535.00 for subsequent years. |
Additional costs
Optional costs may include £150 for field trips and £250 for a European visit per year. In addition, students will be required to pay from £100 for show participation in their final year. Costs are approximated based on the current academic year. You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.