University For Photography !? Help?

[DropDead]

Hey

I wouldn't know where to start. But I want to take photography at Uni. I don't unserstand anything that the education system says. I mean try explaining to me what a BTECH and the difference of an A-level has only just sunk in

So which uni would I be looking at?

DropDead
<3

 

[EdMoss]

Depends what sort of Photography you want to work in. When I was a student, if you wanted to do Advertising, Blackpool was the place to go.

 

[Vic]

I had applied to a few universities to do photography before starting a two year college course. I am pretty sure most are 4 year courses but sometimes the first year has to be art.

You should check what grades you need to have or have a really good portfolio. I didnt come out with much from high school but got in based on my portfolio.

 

[SimonTALM]

Why do you want a degree in Photography?

 

[turnip]

check out http://www.hotcourses.com/

Its excellent at showing what courses are available.

 

[8utters]

You should never go into something like degree photography without knowing exactly what you want to do (i.e. which field you want to get a job in at the end of it). You will come out the other end still with no idea becuase degree photography won't pinpoint what you want to do, it just teaches everything.

I'd never recommend a degree in photography because I know a lot of people who did one and came out no better than when they started.

In fact I wouldn't recommend any course unless you know exactly what kind of photography you want do it.

Most courses out there won't get you a job, and there are so many that are a complete waste of time.

I'm on a photojournalism course run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and while it doesn't give you a degree-like qualification, I can guarantee I am far more likely to get a job than someone with a degree. The reason? I have a specific field that i'm dead-set on (photojournalism) and there happens to be a course that's interlinked with the industry.

Not that all degrees are like this, it just so happens that a degree in photography probably won't do a lot for you job-wise. For some areas of photography, it's just a case of learning the things you need to know, working your way up and getting the relevant experience.

 

[DropDead]

You should never go into something like degree photography without knowing exactly what you want to do (i.e. which field you want to get a job in at the end of it). You will come out the other end still with no idea becuase degree photography won't pinpoint what you want to do, it just teaches everything.

I'd never recommend a degree in photography because I know a lot of people who did one and came out no better than when they started.

In fact I wouldn't recommend any course unless you know exactly what kind of photography you want do it.

Most courses out there won't get you a job, and there are so many that are a complete waste of time.

I'm on a photojournalism course run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and while it doesn't give you a degree-like qualification, I can guarantee I am far more likely to get a job than someone with a degree. The reason? I have a specific field that i'm dead-set on (photojournalism) and there happens to be a course that's interlinked with the industry.

Not that all degrees are like this, it just so happens that a degree in photography probably won't do a lot for you job-wise. For some areas of photography, it's just a case of learning the things you need to know, working your way up and getting the relevant experience.

You've just spun everything around for me. I actually can see 100% from where you're coming from!

Hmmm.

:shrug: :bang:

Well I suppose i'm going to have to think more deeply into this.

DropDead

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

So which uni would I be looking at?

The best University for anyone is the one they want to go to most.

If you go to a specific Uni because it is 'the best' for your course it doesn't mean you'll like living there or will stick it out for 3 or 4 years, and if you leave before you finish you just end up with massive debt and nothing to show for it.

Read the prospectii closely, email some of the lecturers and different Uni's and ask them for further details on any point you are unsure about. Once you've narrowed down which have a suitable course (if you still think Uni is better than other qualifications) have a look at them and look at the towns and cities where you'd be living for the next few years

 

[seriousrikk]

The best University for anyone is the one they want to go to most.

If you go to a specific Uni because it is 'the best' for your course it doesn't mean you'll like living there or will stick it out for 3 or 4 years, and if you leave before you finish you just end up with massive debt and nothing to show for it.

He speaks the truth, I didn't stick it out for exactly the above reasons.

I gained very little useful knowledge in the 18 months I was there. I did have some fun, but all at a cost. The cost was something that was drummed into students by the govornment and banks from day one - debt is fine, don't worry about it. Not a good thing to lear as such an impressionable age I can tell you!

If you do uni, make sure you like the place and the campus before you go.

 

[joodles]

I don't know what stage of education you're at but I'd suggest looking at an Art Foundation - I know that there's other art based subjects but you can chose to concentrate on photography and if you pick a good college/uni you really get to dabble in lots of different areas. It is also great if you want to try a new place out - it's like 9 months and that's endurable if you really don't like the place - and if you do love the place then stay on for a degree! One thing I will urge you to consider is actual work experience. I'm in my final year of a Fine Art Photography degree (3years) and apart from compulsory work exp you don't get much of a feel for what you want to do and you really need to get industry based experience- as for where you want to study it is wise advice to find a location that you like - some Unis' offer the chance to follow a student around for a day or two and experience student life etc! Lots of possibilities! One thing I will say to you though is that as much as I love the fact that I'm going to have a degree in Photography I thoroughly believe that it isn't a necessity for a job and I didn't need it to become a photographer! Let us know where, if at all, you're looking at!