Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 1 year

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

If you're interested in learning about photography then an NQ Photography course is the perfect starting point. It allows you to develop a wide variety of skills in a range of hands-on projects, using studio equipment, working on location and where possible working in our traditional black and white darkroom. You'll be trained to work in a photographic studio set up and develop your creative ideas using a wide variety of digital and film cameras, lighting equipment and specialist kit under the supervision of experienced and friendly lecturers.

You'll learn, in a very practical way, in workshops designed to give you as much time and support as possible in gaining lots of useful skills. As your course progresses you'll have opportunities to work on photographic projects with other student groups across the college as well as with classmates, gaining valuable experience for future study and work and most importantly a strong personal portfolio. You'll be encouraged to take part in national competitions and to showcase your work in exhibitions online or in gallery setups..

The course is designed to not only teach you useful skills but also to prepare you for the next step in your photographic career. On successful completion of this course, the majority of students go on to study photography at Higher National Diploma level. Whatever your future direction photography tutors will help you in finding and succeeding in your next step.

This course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 6. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Two National 5 qualifications at Grade C or above including English and a design/creative subject; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.
• A digital portfolio of your photographic work.  See our Portfolio Guidelines for advice.

Additional selection requirements

• You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.
• You'll be asked to provide examples of your photography work.  See our Portfolio Guidelines for advice on your portfolio.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

You'll study:

• Composition.
• Creative Camera Techniques.
• Image Manipulation.
• Darkroom.
• Magnified Image.
• Product.
• Moving Image.
• Enterprise.

This course focuses on combining your creative ideas with technical skills. So you'll be researching, developing and bringing ideas to life, and experimenting with your camera and image manipulation techniques. You'll gain a thorough understanding of photography as a process from idea, to shooting, to manipulation and finished print. 

After the course

Careers

You can go on to use your completed portfolio from this course to apply for HNC Photography at our college.

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods

Additional Information

Materials