A-LEVELPHOTOGRAPHY
AWARD
A-Level Art & Design - Photography
DURATION
2 Years (Full-Time)
UCAS POINTS
Up to 56 (depending on grade outcome)
CAMPUS
Middlesbrough
COURSE DETAILS
Develop your creative eye, technical skill and visual voice. This course is for aspiring photographers who want to explore photography as an expressive and academic subject.
Over two years, you’ll dive into the world of photography - learning how to craft powerful, original imagery across a variety of techniques and styles. You’ll develop strong practical skills in both digital and analogue photography, using professional cameras, lighting, editing software and darkroom processes.
The course focuses on personal expression, visual storytelling, and critical thinking. You’ll study the work of influential photographers, explore historical and contemporary themes, and produce your own responses through sketchbooks, photo shoots and final pieces.
A major component of the course is the Personal Investigation - your chance to choose a theme, explore it through creative and contextual research, and develop a body of work that showcases your unique perspective. You’ll also complete an externally set assignment in your second year.
Studying A-Level Photography at a specialist art school means access to outstanding facilities, experienced photographers as tutors, and a creative community of like-minded students. This course provides the perfect stepping stone to university, art school or creative employment.
SEE MORE FROM THE COURSE
Follow us on Instagram for student work, behind the scenes and more.
WHERE COULD IT TAKE YOU?
Photographer (Freelance or Studio)
Fashion Photographer
Content Creator
Photo Editor/Retoucher
Events or Wedding Photographer
Photojournalist
COURSE INFORMATION
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A-LEVELS
LEARNER HOURS
AWARDING BODY
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying here?
It is a excellent college for you if you are creative, expressive and overall looking to work alongside likeminded people in a fun environment.
Aimee Rose Johnson
A-Levels
IMAGE GALLERY
OUTSTANDING Student Experience
The Northern College of Art had an exceptional history for its further education when formerly known as The Northern School of Art, and Cleveland College of Art and Design prior to that. The institution previously achieved an Ofsted rating of Outstanding in 2009, and held it consecutively across all inspections until the last inspection under the Education Inspection Framework in 2025. The institution is one of only a handful of colleges to make this achievement.
LATEST NEWS
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As the highly anticipated new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility debuts in the UK today, Friday 25 September, we caught […]
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The Northern School of Art students and alumni are working with Hartlepool-based creative producers SIDEQUEST on their Turner Prize Horsebox […]
September 4, 2026
Norman Austick Outstanding Commitment Silver Award Winners Nathan Scott and Jemima Worrall
Congratulations to Silver Award winners for this year's Norman Austick Award for Outstanding Commitment, Nathan Scott and Jemima Worrall. This […]
September 1, 2026
Illustration degree students creating artwork for Middlesbrough match-day programme covers throughout the clubs 150th season.
Students studying on our BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree have teamed up with Middlesbrough FC to create original […]
August 28, 2026
Student Adam Nevin receives the Animation Achievement Award 2026!
BA (Hons) Animation graduate Adam Nevin is the recipient of this year’s Animation Achievement Award 2026, awarded annually in recognition […]
August 27, 2026
New Graduate joint Award Winner Eva Grinvalde!
BA (Hons) Fine Art student Eva Grinvalde shares this year's prestigious New Graduate Award with fellow student Leoni Dingwall! The […]
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Ysabella Caddy receives Norman Austick Award for Outstanding Commitment to the BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX course Gold Prize
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Staff Spotlight: Meet BA (Hons) Fashion Technician Alexandra Serafin!
Alexandra Serafin has joined our BA (Hons) Fashion department alongside running a successful freelance garment development and manufacturing business, which […]