MA Contemporary Photography; Practices and Philosophies

at University of the Arts London

On MA Contemporary Photography; Practices and Philosophies, critical evaluation is central to your development. You will be expected to take part in group critiques, where you will analyse yours and your peers' work through discussion. Throughout the course, exhibiting is one of the core pedagogical tools. This includes experimental forms of exhibition, such as digital platforms, social media, TV screens, site-responsive installations, interactions with handheld devices, publications and performances. The course makes use of showcase opportunities for you to develop your work in response to audience.

The course is transdisciplinary by design. It will support you to develop an individual, engaged practice. This might span the fields of fine art, visual media, contemporary philosophy or online and offline technology. The course offers an extensive mentorship programme. This includes work with contemporary practitioners, curators and philosophers. Through this engagement, you will be challenged to examine your work in relation to current developments in photography. It will also help you to link your practice to professional applications of the medium.

Unit 1: What is Practice? (In Photography)

Unit 1 on this course provides you with a detailed engagement with your practice through experimentation, questioning, play and dialogue. The unit is organised around several key components. The main aim of these is to provide you with the tools to exercise your curiosity and imagination in the realm of visual image. We will guide you to find your voice and signature style, allowing you to explore art, new media and technology.

Unit 2: Developing Practice and Research

This is a self-led unit of research which feeds into your work in progress and your research paper. You will develop your practice and research through a programme of crits. This programme will also include individual tutorials and seminars, focused around the development of your practice and research paper. Weekly seminars will also help you clarify your research interests. Experimental installs and crits will provide a space for negotiation of practice and for focusing your research.

Unit 3: Realisation of Practice and Research

Unit 3 is also a self-led unit of research and practice. It will culminate in the production of your work for show and dissemination. You will be supported in the production of a body of work for exhibition in whatever form. This unit is structured around weekly presentations and demonstrations of your work in progress supported by group crits and feedback. You will also have one-to-one and small group tutorials with course staff and visiting practitioners.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
 

• An honours degree 
• Or An equivalent EU/international qualification.

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. 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 cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking 

Home fee
£6,045 per year

International fee
£15,165 per year

Our postgraduate Art Programme offers valuable opportunities to build transferable professional knowledge and skills. The exchange of perspectives with others through shared units, reading groups and debates helps establish stimulating and productive networks.

The focus on proposing and developing a major independent programme of study is supported by a shared professional practice lecture series featuring guest speakers plus opportunities to attend symposia and critique work in progress across subject areas. The Postgraduate Art Programme has wide-ranging links with professional organisations, collections and galleries, and includes opportunities for interaction and networking according to your personal career direction.

MA Contemporary Photography; Practices and Philosophies explores photography as a visual language feeding into a wide range of professional arenas and related disciplines. MA Contemporary Photography; Practices and Philosophies graduates are equipped to work in the gallery world, fine art publishing, book publishing and advertising, in London and beyond. They may also progress academically to research (PhD study) and teaching. Equipped with industry and cultural knowledge, you'll leave us knowing your worth in the art and business worlds, at home in international gallery or commercial contexts and able to initiate substantial cultural projects.