Level 3 Photography


  • Start Date: 31/08/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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This is a fantastic introduction to creative and commercial photography supporting you to develop the technical skills used by industry professionals.

The course includes practical, theory and contextual work.

You’ll learn how to use industry standard software and equipment to compose and construct images and develop a broad view of photography including elements of art and design disciplines.

You’ll work on commissions from our external employer partners, developing valuable industry contacts and your commercial skills.

You’ll also showcase your work at exhibitions, participate in creative competitions and build a professional body of work which will give you the confidence to study at university or in employment.

In the final stage of the course, you will choose your own photography pathway, helping you prepare for the next stages and develop a portfolio of work ready for progression.

Required Entry Qualifications

Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above. An art related subject, maths and English is preferred, but not essential. We would like to see a selection of your work, this could be in a sketchbook, digital or a portfolio.

As a team we are highly motivated and positive and believe that an open mind and a can do attitude is the best way for students to get the most out of their learning.

We work with our students and often learn from each other to embrace creativity, share new ideas and celebrate at the end of year with an exhibition of the fantastic work produced.

You will build skills, competencies and confidence in the creative process, understanding how to reflect on your practice and unlock your creative potential. Assessment is formative, designed to help you be the best you can, be it practical work, concept development and design to how you creatively problem solve.

You are graded at the end of each year. In year one this is the final major project, a body of work that shows your strengths and personal interests and is based around where you excel. Reflecting your research, contextual design, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.

Top-up onto the extended diploma in year two and you will advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project, your chance to show how far you have come. Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress to university or the other exciting next steps in your creative career.

We use our network of employer partners to make your learning experience as relevant and up to date as possible.

You’ll work on live commissions, giving you valuable work experience and contacts for the future.

Your teaching team will support you throughout the year to help you to decide what you want to do next. After the course you can progress to a relevant Level 3 or 4 foundation or university degree programme.

Our award-winning Careers Advisors can help you complete UCAS or job appplications or advise you on starting a freelance career.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN LEVEL 3 PHOTOGRAPHY?

  • Photographers, Audio-visual and Broadcasting Equipment Operators
  • Arts Officers, Producers and Directors
  • Managers and Directors in the Creative Industries

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Median Salary
£29,033

Average Qualifications
Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

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Knowledge

Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary
£37,865

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

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Knowledge

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Median Salary
£52,141

Average Qualifications
Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

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Pathways

Media, Publishing and Information Services
People in these occupations produce, publish, and release media and provide library, archive, curation, and information services.

Skills

Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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