Bachelor of Arts in Photographic Media
Course Overview
We are currently accepting advanced entry applications: Full-time, Year 3 only
The BA in Photographic Media prepares graduates to work in the fast-paced and innovative industry of commercial photography and related visual fields or go on to further study. The emphasis of this highly respected programme leans towards a more commercial approach to photography and image-making; the programme is based on a professional approach allied to analytical skills.
Check out the Griffith Creative Show 2024 website to see the final year's work.
We are currently only accepting advanced entry applications:
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Full-time, Year 3 only
Why Study Photography at Griffith College?
Our aim is to equip our image-makers with the necessary skills and understanding required to compete with the artistic and creative demands of a competitive commercial industry. Creating work and content across different platforms including; photo books, website and video are just some of the beneficial aspects of this programme with an emphasis on business and professional practice in the final year of the degree and the experience of exhibiting their work both on- and off-campus.
- Small classes with opportunities to network and work on practical coursework with your peers and allow more tutor-to-student contact and support, offering a welcoming and collegiate learning experience.
- We encourage and support our students through critique sessions, workshops and by publishing work online
- Accomplished visiting lecturers regularly deliver talks and workshops
- Great industry links with opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and network
- Finish the course with tangible assets including professional portfolio, personalised logo, business plan, business card, professional website and self-published book of your work
- The only night course available at Level 7
Course Highlights
- Expert photography staff with decades of industry and teaching experience who create a stimulating learning environment.
- Experience working on industry-focused/client-driven assignment briefs.
- Both on- and off-site practical workshops.
- Strong industry links, affording work opportunities for students and graduates to gain real-world experience and network.
- Invitation to join our Griffith College Photo Assist closed network of graduates and tutors.
- Emphasis on business and professional practice in the final year of the degree.
Recognition
Our course has an enviable reputation in the Irish photographic industry and ranks high with multiple award-winning students and graduates. Our students have amassed multiple awards nationally and internationally and had their work widely exhibited and published. Examples of awards include; The National SMEDIAS, News, Sports and Photographer of the Year, The Inspirational Arts Award, Alliance Française-Emerging Photographers Award and selected works, RHA and Halftone Print Fair.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to see our student work and get updates on exhibitions and events.
Check out our students work from second year to see what you could be doing if you join Griffith College Photography, or check out the Griffith Creative Show 2023 website to see the final year work.
Facilities available
Griffith College is fully equipped with industry-standard facilities available to all Photography students.
- 4 fully kitted Studios including one daylight studio
- Two Darkrooms
- Two Processing rooms
- 2 x Epson Stylus Pro 4900
- 1 Mac Room for editing and scanning
- 1 Print Finish Room
- 2x Large-format Epson Stylus Pro 4900
- Hasselblad Flextight scanner
- Full-frame DSLR - Nikon and Canon kits available
- Medium Format and large-format analog cameras, which can be used in our studios or taken out on location.
- Flashes, lenses, portable studio light kits, and tripods are available for loan.
Intake Dates
What our students say
I cannot recommend the BA in Photographic Media enough. The lecturers are all accomplished photographers in their own right who easily connect with students. As a mature student, I always looked forward to attending evening lectures due to their positive attitude and professionalism. The practical nature of the degree stands out. Ultimately photography is a hands-on profession and the amount of practical content was key, the Large Format module being a perfect example. My photography practice has been transformed as a result and I would not hesitate in encouraging this degree to any aspiring photographer.
BA in Photographic Media
Griffith College - Without a doubt, it is the best part of my photographic journey so far. As a lifelong amateur photographer, I completed my degree in Photography at Griffith College as a stepping stone to a career as both a commercial and a fine art photographer.
The three-year part-time course was ideal, allowing me to develop my skills while remaining full-time.
The degree course covered a wide range of creative, technical, and business-oriented areas; all delivered by a faculty which combined first-class educators with industry-leading practitioners in a highly supportive and collegiate environment
Great times, fantastic staff, lifelong friendships.
BA in Photographic Media
Course Details
Year Two
Year two builds on the learning from year one and expands on the core elements. Students refine skills in studio and other genres of photographic practices and writing across a range of platforms while broadening their presentation skills and gaining knowledge of media law and ethics related to photography. Students broaden their storytelling capability through the Editorial Photography module. Students also have the opportunity to have their practical work exhibited in a show called ‘Photoworks’ as part of the Structured Photo module.
Final Year
Year three enables students to professionally apply skills attained and select specialisms. Students augment their photographic and cultural studies through Politics of the Image. Students specialise in two out of three electives. Upon completion of the stage, they exit with tangible artefacts including; a professional portfolio, self-published books, exhibited work, developed branding, a logo and website, produced a three-year business plan.
Year Two
The Commercial Photography module aims to provide learners with an introduction to the technical skills and industry knowledge required to enter the field of commercial photography professionally. This module focuses on lighting techniques (on location and in-studio) relevant to commercial practice and also focus on creative concepts, professionalism, and industry standards. Learners gain an understanding of how to carry out a photography brief from inception to post-production and final delivery.
This module provides learners with an understanding of all aspects of editorial photography and the genre of documentary. It familiarises learners with a number of approaches to the genre and introduces learners to the notion of image and text, context and layout. Broad concepts are provided to inspire learners to produce a narrative based around their chosen theme.
This module is designed to fully acquaint learners with the skills necessary to fully exploit the creative abilities specific to monorail and technical cameras. Only with these key skills are learners able to explore this vital specialist aspect of the medium for artistic or commercial purposes.
The module covers portraiture, life-size and above imaging, still-life and architecture. Principles such as twist, tilt, vertical and horizontal shift, and bellows extension are fully explained and practised as are the full range of camera movements. Elements of studio and location work are also included.
The module aims to equip learners with the fundamental principles of media law in order to be able to work within the legal boundaries as a media professional. It also aims to provide a solid grounding in media ethics for journalists and to give learners the tools with which to make professional ethical decisions.
This module aims to encourage learners to achieve high proficiency in still camera techniques applied to the moving subject. Learners produce a series of images that capture movement. Learners are aware of issues of production applicable to their chosen subject, and show consideration of display context, print and output formats, as well as being conscious of the final display. The module affords learners the opportunity to hone their skills by capturing a moving subject of varying types on a variety of diverse and challenging locations, including studio and situ.
This module offers learners the opportunity to study and produce industry-standard photography in one of the following two genres: Advertising Still Life Photography or Conceptually Based Photographic Practice. Assignment titles are set by the lecturer/client and interpreted by each individual learner.
Visual Methodologies builds on previous theoretical and historical modules where learners gain further competence with key theoretical concepts relating to the analysis of contemporary photography. With a series of lectures, a visiting artist lecture and gallery visit, learners are guided to a deeper understanding of visual styles within contemporary photography and the theoretical framework from which they exist.
This module further develops learners’ critical understanding as well as technical skills in digital photography, processing and file management with an emphasis on photography’s aesthetic and social contexts. This learning is put into practice by designing and using a personal workflow system specific to the learner’s way of working.
Learners further develop strategies for digitally processing images to a high commercial standard for the publishing environment, both online and print.
Learners gain a critical overview of digital asset management, production and post-production and creative workflow.
Final Year Core Modules
This module enables learners to confidently undertake the day-to-day running of their own businesses. They gain an understanding of; cost, price and quote for commercial assignments and create their own business plan.
This module develops learners’ skill base in the technical, aesthetic, conceptual, communicative and commercial aspects of the photographic medium to industry standard level. It enables learners to achieve a visually exciting and conceptually strong exhibition/portfolio piece. This capstone module encourages learners to produce and output a body of work of a standard of measured excellence for self-publishing and exhibition.
Professional Practice aims to allow learners to optimise their career options by allowing them to create a print-based and live Internet-based portfolio to highlight their work in preparation for entry to the professional world.
This module deepens learners’ knowledge of contemporary visual cultural theory and discusses the role of the photograph in the power relationship of observer and observed. It examines the inherent power relations within visual imagery, explore the complex arena of visual culture, how meaning circulates, how the visual has impacted society, and the role of the visual form as both a connecting force and source of conflict.
Final Year Electives (Students choose two)
This module aims to further develop the knowledge and essential tools required to enter into the field of commercial photography as a working professional. This module equips learners with the skills necessary to carry out work as a commercial photographer in all fields, including fashion, editorial, advertising and PR. On completion of this module learners have a high-level understanding of best industry practice and further develop professional and practical skills so they can see a commercial project through from inception to completion.
This module provides learners with the opportunity to hone their individual skills within any chosen genre related to people photography. It advances the learners’ ability to instigate a project, apply and present a project in a professional and considered manner.
People Photography enhances learners’ ability to demonstrate best practice when dealing with people in any genre of the medium. It also develops learners’ understanding of ethics and planning when working on any project that is people related.
This practical module aims to equip participants with basic skills in video in the key areas of research and concept development, video production (image and sound) technique and approach, visual storytelling and sequencing and editing (technical skill and basic craft).
Learners make a series of short factual vlogs to build practical skills introduced week by week and they also make a short documentary/news/ factual video on a topic of their choosing approximately 3- 5 minutes in duration, for multi-platform distribution.
Sinead Murphy
- Dublin Main Campus
Timetables
How to Apply
We are taking direct applications to Year 2 & Year 3 of our BA in Photographic Media.
If you wish to apply for advanced entry onto the course, please contact admissions@griffith.ie directly and a member of our team will be in contact with you to discuss your application.
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from time of application.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin: EUR 6,500.00
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin: EUR 5,200.00
Study Mode: Full-Time
EUR 7,000.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin
Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
Flexible payment options
Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: accounts@griffith.ie
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Academic Progression
Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies at Griffith College. When you graduate from this programme you are eligible to enter the final year of the BA (Hons) in Communication & Media Production.
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.
Career Progression
Through the BA in Photographic Media, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio both in the manner of self-published books and a website. Our final year students produce a business plan, develop their brand, design a logo and business cards. Upon completion of our BA in Photographic Media, you will have covered a diverse range of media, including analogue, digital, medium format, large format and video.
Our graduates develop careers in photography and related industries including freelance practice, wedding and PR photography, sports photography, photojournalism, curation, publishing, exhibiting, research and picture editing among other visual media-related careers.
Our graduates' photographic work can regularly be seen on well-known clothing, sport and product websites, Hotpress Music Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Cara Magazine, RSVP, UK and Ireland weekend editorial supplements, sports and press agencies; Photocall, Inpho and Sportsfile and many run their own free lance businesses and run studios. Our graduates are working in many countries including; Ireland, U.K. U.S.A, Norway, Italy, Pakistan and beyond.
There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
- Commercial Photographer
- Image Production Editor
- Wedding & Social Photographer
- Press & PR Photographer
- Sports Photographer
- Film Stills Photographer
- Creative Stylist
- Editorial Photographer
- Freelance Photographer(& Videographer)
