UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design: Photography

If you enjoy taking photographs, then this course will stretch and challenge you by providing an opportunity to engage in projects that encourage creativity, investigation, analysis and experimentation as a means of developing technical and expressive skills.

Duration 1 year
Qualification Progression
Start Date Thursday 3rd September 2026
Course Code P2PHOTO26T
A collection of media posters on the wall.

TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Develop creativity
  • Build Confidence
  • Digital Skills
  • Academic Support
  • Progression Opportunities

Creative Image Making

This course is designed to provide you with an introduction to creative image making, enabling you to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding to progress within further education.

An image of two students sat in a computer room. There are posters on the wall in front of them.

Range of Topics

You will explore a wide range of subject matter from studio portraiture to street photography. The course will allow you to experiment with new ideas and find what really interests and inspires you.

Students working at computers with large notebooks open in front of them.

Creative and Dedicated Staff

The Photography Team are friendly, supportive, and well-qualified; they offer high level pastoral, academic and technical support to help you realise your creative potential.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

The UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design: Photography, has been designed for students who have an interest in photography or a related subject, to explore and extend this interest via a full‐time, immersive learning experience. Students will be able to test their creativity within a structure that will provide a sound base of skills and knowledge but will also enhance self-confidence and reveal the potential career opportunities that exist in the sector. Many students will have identified a specific career in the creative industries that they wish to progress to (e.g., photographer, fashion designer, graphic designer, product designer) and will use this qualification as a starting point.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

You will learn a broad range of photographic and camera skills, utilising digital Photoshop techniques, working with industry-standard equipment and workspaces to support you on your journey. The Photography course offers you the chance to take risks, discover ideas and realise your creative potential. It seeks to nurture perceptive, resourceful and creative photographers with strong transferable skills, that can be applied to a range of commercial and art-based careers.

This is a one-year course structured around 8 hours of Photography and a further 8 hours of work towards English and Mathematics qualifications. There is a one-hour tutorial slot plus an extended 3-hour tutorial session delivering OCN Work Skills. It is likely to appeal to those seeking to complete a period of practical study alongside additional work in English and Mathematics at either GCSE or Functional Skills level.

WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?

This course will enable students to develop a portfolio of work that could support progression to a course at Level 3, usually Photography, Creative Media or Art and Design, whilst others may progress onto Apprenticeships or other pathways to employment in the creative media industries.

The Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design: Photography is made up of eight mandatory units to support creative and practical exploration, supported by underpinning research of techniques and practitioners. Most of the work will be submitted digitally via an individually designed website to include written and practical work. The final unit of the qualification allows students to select an area of interest and devise their own final major project which will be graded as a pass, merit, or distinction. This grade will be the overall grade awarded for the qualification.

Three girls sit on a picnic bench and are chatting and laughing.
Course code: P2PHOTO26T
Duration 1 year
Qualification Progression