Creative and Commercial Photography, UAL Extended Diploma

Level 3

01 Sep 2025

2 Years

LOXTON CAMPUS

ED3PHPF1LC

Apply Now

This course will introduce you to the potential of the photographic medium; it will help you develop strong technical, conceptual, and visual skills, and it will expand your knowledge of both contemporary and historical photography. You will also develop transferable skills that are relevant to all areas of creative arts and will prepare you for the next stage of your creative career. You will study the fundamentals of digital camera controls and techniques, alongside Adobe Photoshop and other specialist software. You will gain core skills in the use of professional lighting and studio-based equipment, and you will be encouraged to develop independent practice and a personal approach to your photography.

You will also learn to understand photography and develop a critically reflective approach through experimentation, creativity and risk-taking. You will develop skills and confidence in presenting and discussing your work, preparing you for university or work interviews.

You will be taught by highly skilled practising photographers, and your lecturers will fully support you in developing confidence, interpersonal skills, and good working practices, all of which will improve your employability. They will also help you prepare a strong portfolio.

You will have access to a well-equipped darkroom, advanced digital facilities, and professional photographic studios. There will be regular trips and opportunities to develop location techniques on projects such as the annual RHL Beach Race and Pet Portraits.

You’ll become part of our Creative Arts Career Excellence Hub, which is endorsed by leading industry partners, who are actively involved throughout your whole training programme. This provides unrivalled access to potential employers and the opportunity to develop your creative network. You will benefit from work experience opportunities, guest lectures from industry professionals, and international trips to inspire your work. As part of this study programme, you will develop your maths and English skills, and attend tutorials and Individual Development (ID). You will also complete an extended industry placement. All aspects of your study programme will be discussed at your interview.

Become part of Creative Arts Weston, a career-focused College and University Centre, housed within a vibrant and supportive environment, which encourages collaboration with your peers, lecturers and the creative industries to give you the skills and opportunities you need to kick-start your career.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE

Landscape photography
Portrait photography
Fine art photography
Still-life/product photography
Technical and visualisation skills with DLSR cameras
Studio flash lighting techniques
Darkroom techniques
Digital post-production skills
Magazine layout and design
Advertising photography and brand communication
Mixed media
Fashion filmmaking
Location techniques
Exciting industry trips
Industry placement
ASSESSMENT METHOD

You will be assessed through practical projects and written assignments.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

You will have the skills to apply for jobs in the photography industry and access junior and assistant photographer freelance work. You could increase your skills with a degree in photography.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You will need five GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English, or a qualifying level 2 qualification (merit). A strong portfolio of work, plus a successful interview will be required.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.

I’d like to visit and see the facilities and chat to staff – see when our next open event is here: EVENTS | Weston College

I have a quick question – use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

See more like this course

Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Creative and Digital Media

iAn interview is required for this course.

Fees Information

Level 2 Qualifications

This course may be Free* if you live in the South West of England and:

You are defined by the Adult Education Board (AEB) as being unemployed because one of the following applies:
- receive Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including those receiving National Insurance credits only
- receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- receive Universal Credit and your take home pay, as recorded on your Universal Credit statement (disregarding Universal Credit payment and other benefits) is less than £345 a month (learner is sole adult in the benefit claim) or £552 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner)
- are released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice
You are employed, or self-employed, and earn less than £18,525.00 annual gross salary.

Level 3 Qualifications

This course is Free* if:

The qualification you have chosen to study is part of the Legal Entitlements list and you are aged 19-23 at the start of your course and you do not already have a qualification at Level 3 or higher. From April 2021, any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification will be able to access certain courses we run for free.

The full fee is payable if:

this is not your first full level 3

the qualification you wish to study isn’t on the approved list of level 3 qualifications the College can run for free.

However, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Apprenticeships - Information for Employers

The cost of apprenticeships will be split into 30 funding bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The prices will depend on the type of apprenticeship and the level it is taught at, and are negotiable with your training provider.

For 98% of employers, the reforms mean that employing an apprentice will be better value for money than ever before. Small businesses will only have to pay 5% of the training costs, with the Government picking up the remaining 95%. In some cases, the Government will fully fund apprenticeships for small businesses.

Click here for more information about how the reforms and levy will affect your company.

Advanced Learner Loans

You may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from Student Finance England, to fund the cost of your course. For further information and to check eligibility, please follow the links below:

Other Important information

While every care has been made to ensure the accuracy of our prospectuses and website, errors may occur from time to time resulting in incorrect information / fees being shown / printed.

Fees quoted online and in our prospectuses are for the current academic year only, and are subject to change – two and three-year courses will have fees to pay again in subsequent years.
You may still need to buy a uniform/kit which is your professional start-up kits or pay professional/personal memberships and all students will need to provide a National Insurance number and up-to-date proof of benefits, if applicable, at the time of enrolment.
Please click here for our current term dates.

If you are 16-18 years old on the 31st August in the current academic year, this course is usually Free.
Students who are EU/EEA or Swiss Citizens who have lived in the UK before 1 January 2021 who do not have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or haven’t applied for the EU Settlement Scheme and been granted pre-settled or settled status – please contact the College Registrar on 01934 411 531 for advice on appropriate UKVI student visa fees before you enrol.

Refunds

Full refunds will be payable if we need to cancel a course.
Tuition fee refunds are payable if you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling on your course and before the start of the course (10% of tuition fee or £25 administration fee whichever is larger will be charged).

If you change your mind about a course before it starts or during the first three weeks, we will happily transfer you to an alternative course - you may need to pay any difference in fees or have a credit note issued to you if the course is cheaper.
If you wish to withdraw from a course you can request a credit note for the remaining proportion of the tuition fees to a maximum of 50% of tuition fees paid (a £25 administration fee will be charged). Credit notes are valid for one calendar year.
There are different terms and conditions for Higher Education courses - please call 01934 411 409 for further details.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

This is a College-administered fund which can support some costs associated with attending qualification courses. It is mean-tested against gross household income and limited in its amount per learner. For further information please contact Student Services on 01934 411 571.

Future

Careers

Occupations related to Creative and Commercial Photography, UAL Extended Diploma

Photographer, Audio-visual or Broadcasting Equipment Operator

Workers in this unit group operate and assist with still, cine and television cameras and operate other equipment to record, manipulate and project sound and vision for entertainment, cultural, commercial and industrial purposes.

Average annual earnings: £19,787
Employment in region: 988 positions

Got a question?

Whatever you'd like to know, we're here to help...

Call 01934 411 411
Click to message us