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Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication: Photography & Graphic Design – Level 3

Level 3 Diploma

a student taking a photo in a photography studio

Availability & Details

Photography and Graphic Design - UAL Diploma SF1-PHGC3D/C01

Venue
South Downs Campus

Type of study
Vocational

Dates
Academic Year 2025-26 (2 years)

Examination board
University of the Arts London

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How to apply

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Overview

Do you love looking at and creating images? If you are keen to develop your understanding of photography and graphic based communication, then this course is ideal for you. Gain a thorough understanding of traditional darkroom techniques, as well as cutting edge digital photographic processes. You will learn how to master Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and other software used in industry. You will research a wide array of artists to discover how they go about producing their work, and allow their work to inform your ideas. Taught by a team of professional and experienced photographers and graphics professionals, you will also get the opportunity to visit galleries and attend exhibitions throughout your course. All of this will help you to build a portfolio to enable you to progress to university or work.

Five GCSEs at grades 4 or above including a creative art-based subject and English Language.

You will learn studio lighting, location photography, food photography, portrait photography, black and white, traditional dark room printing, traditional cut and paste, digital graphics, infographics, Photoshop, Illustrator, Illustration, industry practice, contextual researching and much more. You also have opportunities to pursue your own particular area of interest within either discipline during self directed projects.

Visits to London-based and local museums/ galleries will provide you with additional insight into the work of other artists and designers. The course may also offer an art study tour within the UK and/or European countries. The course will culminate in an exhibition of your own work.

This course consists of a 90-credit Diploma in Year One followed by the Extended Diploma in Year Two. Each project brief covers units that build through the two years of the course to provide the award. The first seven unites are assessed at a Pass; then as you progress the last six units are assessed at a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade, with a final grade awarded at the end of the course. Students progressing into Higher Education need to achieve a Merit grade or above to gain sufficient UCAS points.

Cost of trips - approximately £100/year (unless residential). Cost of specialist printing - approximately £50 per year, Although not strictly necessary it is beneficial to have access to your own Digital SLR (the course manager is happy to advise prior to purchase). We use Nikon at College to teach with.

Students progress from this course onto Pre-degree Foundation course, HND, degrees, self-employment, Apprenticeships and full time employment.

The opportunity to work for real clients and commissions may be possible. You will also be encouraged to enter local, national and international competitions.


My courses were all especially interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. All of my lecturers were extremely knowledgeable and I have learnt a lot from them.

Lottie Warren, A Level student

Everyone at the College was really helpful, and there’s lots of facilities, meaning it’s very easy to get your work done on time, and get good grades. The teaching and support was excellent, they were always on top of it, and made sure you got work done on time and you were challenged. Everyone is friendly and its really diverse, meaning you can get involved in lots of different things.

Conor Ward, BTEC student

I’m very, very happy, I didn’t expect to do so well. The College has been helpful and supportive. I loved my courses, and the teachers were really good – every single one of them. The facilities are great, but it’s the staff that really make this place.

Matthew Randell, A Level student