BA (Hons) Photography at Robert Gordon University

Programme overview

Our Photography course will provide you with the opportunity to develop your creative and practical expertise and engage with a wide range of topics and themes that deepen your understanding of photography’s social and cultural significance. The curriculum encompasses a broad range of photographic disciplines including editorial, documentary, photojournalism, landscape, and portraiture, alongside moving image, film, advertising, and fashion. Through collaborative and self-directed project briefs you will experiment with various creative processes, establishing your unique visual language.

Faculty: Gray's School of Art | Duration: 4 years full-time | Study mode: full-time | Intake: September | Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

This full-time, studio-based Foundation year will develop your creative and critical practice and challenge your understanding of the Art & Design disciplines. These experiences will expand on both your contextual and practical knowledge and introduce you to the Creative Industries and inform your course options for Year 2. An extensive range of Art & Design disciplines will be explored, including lens-based, providing you with the opportunity to develop a wide range of creative skills.

Career pathways

The choice of projects and the wide range of experiences offered by our course ensures that you will have a number of employment opportunities in various roles across a range of industry sectors post-graduation. The department is mindful of employer expectations, and we adapt the curriculum accordingly whilst continuing to closely monitor emerging and future employment trends and opportunities.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry QS/SQA Higher: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) GCE A Level: CC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English e.g. History). Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H4 to include Art (or a creative design and/or technology subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) IB Diploma: 24 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English). All applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) will be invited to attend a portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process. Minimum Entry Requirements The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are: Year 1 entry QS/SQA Higher: CCC to include Art / Design (or a creative design and/or media subject such as Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English or a written subject requiring the use of English Applicants from Partner Colleges A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 3, subject to successfully meeting the partner course criteria. Advanced Entry Higher National Diploma: A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 3 subject to successfully meeting the partner course criteria.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/2027). Scottish students, full time on campus, over 4 years (same fee each year) Source

International applicants: GBP 18,940 a year (2026/2027). International students, full time on campus, over 4 years (same fee each year) Source

Intake: September

Duration: 4 years full-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.rgu.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-hons-photography#apply

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