About BA (Honours) in Photography

The Photography programme offers a unique learning experience that enables students to explore photography within the context of art, communications and moving image environments. The facilities in photography provide a range of creative pathways, practical workshops, photography equipment and darkrooms and digital imaging services.

Through its multiple uses in fashion, advertising/publicity, digital media and contemporary art practice, photography has come to hold a central position in an increasingly visual society. As the profile of photography continues to change and adapt to a broad spectrum of possibilities in both the photographic industry and the wider cultural industries as a whole, the need has arisen for creative image makers to have a deeper understanding of photography’s role as a “visual communication” and how this role impacts and/or adapts to the new developments taking place within it.

Aims and Objectives

This programme offers a unique opportunity to undertake a programme of study in photographic theory, history and practice that reflects the changing needs of students and the demands of the communications/cultural sectors.

The ethos of the programme is to create a student centred environment in which you can produce work through a diverse range of contemporary photographic practices. Team teaching through lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials is combined with peer review to give you the widest possible critical insight into your chosen area of practice which may include; editorial and documentary, commercial and digital photography, photography and the community, photographic art, photographic theory and criticism.

This programme is designed to provide you with an in-depth education in the theory and practice of photography with emphasis on the broad application of such theory and practice.

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

Opportunities exist in the growing digitally based photography industry, in Ireland and abroad. Areas of employment for successful graduates include: commercial and artistic photographic practices, the arts and creative industries sector, the print, publishing and new media as well as the developing information and digital based industries.

What subjects will I study?

Photography & Communications; Photographic Principles & Practice; 19th Century Photography; Modernism, Modernity & Image; Strategies & Interpretations; Photography & National Identity in Ireland; Business Studies; Photography & Visual Culture.

What are the Entry Requirements?

• Leaving Certificate Examination (or an equivalent educational qualification) with a minimum of Grade C3 in two Higher (or Common) Level papers, together with Grade D3 in four other subjects of the Leaving Certificate Examination to include English and Ordinary Level Mathematics or Higher level Mathematics. Alternative Ordinary Mathematics will not suffice to meet this requirement
• A portfolio of relevant work
• You may be called for interview if further clarification on your portfolio is required
• Applicants with the following FETAC (NCVA level II) awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules. Please refer to the Admissions pages to see the FETAC Links for this programme.

What should my Portfolio include?

You should compile a selective portfolio. In all cases the portfolio should be easy to look through and should be well presented. An edited range of work showing evidence of commitment and quality should be presented.

Make sure you:

• Include 20-30 pieces of work
• Indicate the duration of your interest in photography
• Include work illustrating your level of experience to date
• Include work illustrating your level of technical competence to-date
• Provide examples of any work published to-date
• Include work which shows your level of understanding of composition, light, texture and form when creating photographic images
• Provide examples of both monochrome and colour photographs
• Show your work to your best possible advantage

Are there any costs for materials and/or field trips?

The estimated cost of materials for the 4 year programme is in the region of €800 to €1,200 per year. This figure excludes exceptional purchases and field trips. This expenditure does not include preparation and submission of work for exhibition or national and international competitions.

“IADT is currently knocking out some of the best young European photographers west of Calais”

• Simon Bainbridge, Editor of The British Journal of Photography (British Journal of Photography)