University of Technology Sydney

C09052v2 Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Photography

Award(s): Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Photography (BDesign(Hons))
CRICOS code: 093241B
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 48
Course EFTSL: 1
Location: City campus

Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Other information

Overview

In the Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Photography students learn how to create outstanding images which are linked to the sociocultural context that drives contemporary visual culture.

The honours year enables students to explore an independent project through research.

With the rapid evolution of the photographic medium due to digital and mobile technologies, images are situated in particular contexts, whether social, cultural or political. In design studios students learn how to recognise these contexts, and use and reinterpret them for their own creative work.

Under the guidance of award-winning photographers and researchers, students develop knowledge and skills in traditional and expanded photography, screen-based media, video and moving image. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including darkrooms, specialist colour-managed computer labs and fully equipped photographic studios. Equipment is constantly upgraded to ensure that students only work with the best and latest devices.

Course aims

Students learn the collaborative skills required to work in a creative team and develop critical thinking skills to engage with social, cultural, technological and ethical contexts of image making.

Global subjects introduce students to the world's leading photography organisations, while the public lecture program brings industry leaders on campus. With the supported supervised placement program, students also gain internship experience with leading photographers and industry organisations.

Career options

There are many career options for graduates across a range of sectors, such as photography for fashion, journalism, architecture or marketing. Some graduates start their careers as photography assistants for professional photographers while others move into freelance work.

Generally, graduates can expect to work in a number of capacities, including photo agencies, advertising, and cultural production, as a freelancer working for various clients, a fine arts practitioner, or an editorial photographer for news outlets, magazines and digital media. Many graduates combine a number of these careers.

Course intended learning outcomes

A.1 Understanding of the designer's role as a global citizen
A.2 Ethical practices in relation to acknowledgement of sources and the work of others
A.3 Awareness of, and concern for, social and cultural diversity
C.1 Professional attitude to clarity and accuracy of communication
C.2 Capacity to make a positive contribution to a team
C.3 Ability to present work appropriately to context
I.1 Ability to work conceptually
I.2 Ability to appraise, develop or redirect design ideas
I.3 Ability to re-imagine human practices through design
P.1 Ability to independently develop new skills and areas of knowledge
P.2 Ability to independently cultivate aesthetic sensibility
P.3 Developing craft skill
R.1 Ability to develop a well-supported argument
R.2 Ability to analyse complex ideas
R.3 Ability to critically reflect on work by self and others

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline at an appropriate level.

UTS students: criteria for a guaranteed offer

Applicants with a UTS Bachelor of Design in Photography who have completed the course within the last three years and attained an overall minimum WAM of 72.5 or above will be made a threshold offer.

UTS students: course completed within the last three years

Applicants with a UTS Bachelor of Design in Photography who have completed the course within the last three years and attained an overall WAM between 65 and 72.49 must provide the following additional material in order to be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Photography:

  • a digital portfolio of 10 x A4 landscape PDFs that display digital files, scans and/or photographs of original design work done by the applicant (max. 5MB)
  • a 200–300 word statement addressing the applicant's reasons for undertaking honours level study in design at UTS and the specific learning that they are seeking given their intended career direction on completion of the degree
  • a one-page CV in PDF format that clearly articulates the applicant's design or related experience.

UTS students: course completed four or more years ago

Applicants with a UTS Bachelor of Design in Photography who have completed the course four or more years ago and have demonstrated relevant work experience within the photography industry must provide the following additional material in order to be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Photography:

  • a digital portfolio of 10 x A4 landscape PDFs that display digital files, scans and/or photographs of original design work done by the applicant (max. 5MB)
  • a 200–300 word statement addressing the applicant's reasons for undertaking honours level study in design at UTS and the specific learning that they are seeking given their intended career direction on completion of the degree
  • a one-page CV in PDF format that clearly articulates the applicant's design or related experience accompanied by supporting reference(s) from related industry employer(s)
  • a copy of their academic transcript.

Non-UTS applicants

Applicants with a degree which is equivalent to the UTS Bachelor of Design in Photography and who have attained an overall minimum WAM of 65 or above must provide the following additional material in order to be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Photography:

  • a digital portfolio of 10 x A4 landscape PDFs that display digital files, scans and/or photographs of original design work done by the applicant (max. 5MB)
  • a 200–300 word statement addressing the applicant's reasons for undertaking honours level study in design at UTS and the specific learning that they are seeking given their intended career direction on completion of the degree
  • a one-page CV in PDF format that clearly articulates the applicant's design or related experience
  • a verified copy of the candidate's previous academic transcript.

Students must refer to the inherent requirements for all degrees offered by Design and Architecture in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

International applicants must also attend an interview (via Skype) with the program director. Digital copies of both academic transcripts and portfolio must be sent to the program director prior to the interview.

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Course duration and attendance

The course is offered on a one-year, full-time basis.

Course structure

This course totals 48 credit points made up of four 12-credit-point subjects.

Course completion requirements

80030 Research Methods 12cp
80029 Independent Project: Conceptual Development 12cp
80028 Independent Project: Designed Outcome 12cp
80041 Dissertation 12cp
Total 48cp

Course program

The course program is shown below.

Autumn commencing, part time
Year 1
Autumn session
80030 Research Methods   12cp
80029 Independent Project: Conceptual Development   12cp
Spring session
80041 Dissertation   12cp
80028 Independent Project: Designed Outcome   12cp

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS
UTS: Design, Architecture and Building