Photography MA

This module aims to facilitate a process of open exploration and experimentation in practice, with a view to you negotiating a viable, well positioned, ethically sound MA proposal by the module end. The module aims to familiarise you with key debates in historical and contemporary photography, with a particular focus on questions of ethics and on the visual strategies taken up by photographers in the communication of ideas. Through both formative and summative assessments and through on-going discussion, debate and reflection, the module further aims to support the development of advanced level communication skills, criticality and professional practice.

This module aims to provide the student with the knowledge and skills required to undertake independent academic research in Visual Arts and Design at postgraduate level. By introducing the students to contemporary and emergent research resources in the 
discipline; essential frameworks and tools for navigating research ethics in creative fields, linking to Middlesex University’s Research Ethics guidelines; and consolidating advanced knowledge of referencing conventions for academic integrity, the students will be able to 
propose and structure a relevant research proposal for independent enquiry and investigation.

This module aims to explore photography as a necessarily collaborative practice and to support you in developing viable strategies for working productively with others.  You will be introduced to different debates around authorship and the photograph as 
collaboration. The module encourages you to consider the purpose and aims of your work and to develop your own participant groups/contacts and professional networks as necessary. You will work together on producing a digital brochure of the work produced on the module between you as a group of collaborating peers.

This module supports you in producing and making public either a significant body of photographic work or a significant written commentary at an  advanced level. The module aims to consolidate earlier discoveries made by yourself through exploration, collaboration, research and contextualisation to present a rigorously investigated concluding body of work. The final outcome will incorporate a viable strategy for making the work public and will be presented in a form that is appropriate for its intended audience. The module supports you in developing professional skills in preparation for your chosen career paths.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt in recent years, by enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

This course is divided into five modules taken over three semesters (if studied full time). Each module is designed to be flexible, allowing you to bring your own photography interests to the assignments while extending the boundaries of current photographic practice through experimentation, research, analysis, and creative exploration.

MA Photography is delivered through a combination of in person and online teaching. It can also be studied either as a one year full-time degree or as a two-year part time degree. Please note that if you intend to apply for a student route visa to study this course, you will only be able to undertake the MA as a full-time student.

Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.

Definitions of terms

• Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
  • Led by your tutors including seminars, workshops and demonstrations We’ll schedule all of this for you
  • Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
• Live online learning – This will include lectures, tutorials and supervision sessions led by your tutor and timetabled by us. It also includes student-led group work that takes place online
• Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual workshops or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.

Your skills, knowledge and understanding will be entirely assessed by coursework including practical projects, oral presentations and supporting written work. There are no exams.

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.