Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers
Visiting speakers are frequently used as part of modules in order for students to locate themselves and their work within a wider professional context and make industry contacts within the field of Photography and the broader Creative Industries.
In addition to this, the subject area runs an important guest lecture programme available to all Photography students at USW. The intention of this programme is to bring in a diverse range of speakers from across the photographic spectrum, from art and documentary through to commercial practice. Course and subject area staff go to great lengths to contact individuals whose practice is relevant, both to the fast-developing industry as well as exploring current debates within the subject, such as sustainability, inclusivity and social justice.
The course retains strong relations with its numerous alumni who also play a key role in educating current students through guest lectures. The course also runs an annual alumni day in partnership with the BA Documentary Photography course where we welcome back 5 alumni per year who have gone onto work within a variety of related industry roles.
Finally, students are also invited to attend faculty wide creative industries talks open to all students studying within FCI.

Volunteering
Students are encouraged to make the most of there time at USW to develop a strong CV and to gain as much industry experience as possible. Volunteering opportunities can be undertaken as part of the Yr2 Professional Practice module ‘Finding Your Place’ and can also arise as a result of engaging with industry events in the city through organisations such as Ffotogallery, g39, Chapter Arts Centre and the National Museum of Wales (Photography department) and are carried out in an extra-curricular fashion.

Fieldwork
Site visits, where students survey, document, analyse and respond to specific environments either collectively or individually, forms a key part of many photographic projects. Students are encouraged to find interesting locations to undertake shoots throughout the course.

Fieldtrips
A range of fieldtrips are organised throughout the three years of the course. Some of these are obligatory and are embedded into modules, whilst others are optional and sit outside of the taught curriculum. A number of smaller day trips are arranged during the year to places such as Tenby, Bristol and London, whilst a short residential trip in arranged for Year 1 (Brecon Beacons or West Wales) and an international trip is arranged for years 2 & 3 (Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague etc). As students move through the course, they are encouraged to travel to shows and other related events of interest independently, either to make work or see the work of others, to support their ongoing research and development of their projects.

Work Placements
Engaging with Industry to better understand how it is structured and operates forms an important part of the course and learning experience, especially in Years 2 and 3. The course has decided to move away from the term ‘work placement’ and replaced this with ‘Industry Engagement’. Of course, engaging with industry can include the undertaking of a work placement is possible and encouraged, but it is not a compulsory component of the module Finding Your Place. Some students also choose to use the summer period to undertake shorter placements within specific areas of the industry and/or volunteer at various organisations in and around Cardiff during the academic year. Students can also request to undertake a Sandwich Year between the 2nd and 3rd year of the programme. This additional year in industry would be made up of one or more work placements.

Work-based Learning
There is potential for work-based learning both formally through the curriculum, most notably in module Finding Your Place, where work placements, observation and visits to industry are all potential module outcomes. Students are supported with this by the USW Learning Services who provide a designed Work Placement Partner to help students to secure placements or similar activities as part of this module. As part of this role, this individual builds links with a number of local organisations in order to advertise a range of industry opportunities to students, these include opportunities within USW. Using guidance from the AOP, students are informed of appropriate industry practice with regard to the commissioning of photography and all opportunities are checked by academic staff to ensure that students retain copyright and that clear licensing/usage agreements are in place.

Sandwich Years
This will be the first time that a Sandwich Year option has been built into this course. With the majority of practicing photographers being freelancers, it is sometimes difficult to see how a fruitful sandwich year is possible. However, as the routes students are taking post University into related and broader areas of the creative industries continues to expand, in part due to our increasing attention on careers and exposing students to an ever-increasing range of possible pathways, it is important that we have this available as an option if needed by individual students on a case by case basis or in case we decide during the cycle of this revalidation to officially incorporate this into the course.

Other
Some modules on the course, especially those in Yr2, consist of a Live Brief led by an industry client. Students present their ideas and final work to these guests and receive invaluable feedback from them.

Means of Assessment

• Project Output
• Essay
• Presentation
• Work Placement 
• Field Folio
• Major Project
• Dissertation
• Case Study

Learning Support

Induction
The induction week is predominantly a chance to settle in and get to know the other students on the course as well as the teaching staff. There is a welcome and introduction to the course delivered by the Course Leader to ensure that incoming students understand what is expected of them as a student and to also sign-post them to various services within the University. This is then followed-up by a series of activities that serve to help students to quickly settle in, get to know the building, their peers, the course staff, Cardiff and South Wales. There is usually a day long trip during this week to a location such as Tenby.
The key aim of induction is to make sure that students feel comfortable with what is ahead and that they have all the required information and support they need to successfully undertake their studies.
Induction week for the level 5 and 6 serves a different purpose in that it provides a much-needed opportunity to welcome students back and to prepare them for the year ahead, helping them to settle in again and start to get into a productive working mode again. Activities are arranged as part of this. In level 5, these activities look forward to the commercial modules they will be undertaking and in the first half of the year, the week is used to create some kind of physical outcome (show/publication/screening), creating a celebratory start to the year.
Induction week for our incoming level 6 students joining us from our FD courses is a little different in that we bring them in a week prior to the official University induction week for a pre-induction week. This gives these students time in the building alone to settle in and get to know the spaces and facilities available to them prior to all of the other Photography students returning/starting. In order for these students to undertake the final year modules it is essential that they have access to the tools necessary to undertake work at this level. As a result, the main emphasis during this pre-induction week as well as the induction week itself is to induct them to various course facilities, equipment, IT, the library and support services. This will not be the first time these students will have accessed the building and participated in activities with us. As FD students studying at one of 3 partner colleges, they are very much USW students. Early in their course, they are welcomed to the Cardiff campus and signed up to our library services. They are invited to attend our photography guest lecture programme in both semesters 1 and 2 each year. These are a mix of ‘in person’ and ‘virtual’ talks for all USW photography students (FD, BA, MA, PhD). In addition to this, the overarching FD Course Leader/Link Officer is very visible and available to the FD staff and students through regular visits.

Personal Academic Coach
Every student is allocated a Personal Academic Coach (PAC) who is there to discuss any relevant issues relating to their academic and personal progress. These sessions are set out as required in the faculty PAC guidance which is reviewed annually. As well as checking how students are and how they are feeling about their studies and progress, these sessions provide a valuable sign-posting opportunity for staff to ensure students are accessing the support they require. This can involve directing students to a broad range of support services such as financial advice, DDS and health and well-being services.
Where possible, each student will stick with their allocated PAC Tutor for the duration of their studies at USW.

Learner Analytics
Learner analytics is used to track student engagement in their studies.

Office hours
The course team will all have a set amount of office hours which will be published on the course blackboard page. Students can discuss course work or any other issues during this time.

Tutorials
Tutorials can take the form of a one-to-one or group discussion with a tutor. Each module has a component of tutorial, but the emphasis on this format will change depending on the module. These sessions play a central role in the development of students work and provide an opportunity for a more focused and critical conversation to take place.

Seminars
A seminar is normally a group discussion with a tutor in which a small number of students discuss their progress together. This is beneficial as students get an opportunity to see their peers progress and ideas, helping build their confidence by providing constructive feedback and support to others. This format of learning is well suited to both practical and the theoretical based modules within the course.

Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is integrated in every module through a variety of discussion based stopping off points. This provides students with a valuable opportunity for “feed-forward” advice in preparation of the completion of their assignment. The format of the formative assignment may range from presentation on work-in-progress, pitches, draft submission etc.

Progress meetings
Progress meetings are facilitated by the module’s teaching team and cover aspects such as scheduling, technical trouble shooting, advice on progress, and critique.

Research Supervision
For level 6 modules such as Critical Paper or Critical Catalogue, where students are expected to be working largely independently, they will be allocated a supervisor who will guide them through the module. Students and staff will keep in touch using a variety of methods including email and regular supervision meetings up to a maximum of 4. Students are given a timeline for each module with targets for each allocated tutorial. For Critical Catalogue, additional technical support with InDesign is also available by emailing the technical support team directly, this is in addition to the scheduled InDesign workshops.

Online Resources
The University’s online learning environment, UniLearn, provides access to information about the course, through the Course Organisation, and materials and resources for each of the modules to support the students’ learning as set out in the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Minimum Requirements Policy.
The course’s Instagram feed has also become an important vehicle for showcasing our students’ work, creating a community and communicating our ethos.
Learning Analytics (JISC) is used to enable tracking of students’ progress and engagement.
Students are encouraged to develop their own online professional presence, especially as they move through the course, and to share useful resources and inspiration with others.

Advice Zone
Advice Zones are the first point of contact for advice and information regarding university life (physical and online). Advice Assistants offer confidential, impartial guidance and advice on a range of issues including extenuating circumstances. Advice Assistants are also able to answer and advise on queries, questions or concerns regarding booking appointments with specialist teams such as Counselling, Disability and Dyslexia, Money Advice and Progression Advice.

Disability
The Disability Service provides information, advice and guidance and co-ordinates support for USW students who have disabilities, including physical, sensory, mental health or unseen disabilities, specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) and autism. A confidential service where students can discuss their individual requirements. DDS can advise on what support is available and help students apply for it.
The Disability Service also has a key role in ensuring the University meets its commitment to providing an inclusive environment for disabled students. Further information can be found here.
With high numbers of students on the course with ISP’s, the course has developed a strong line of communication with staff in DDS to ensure both academics are support staff are working towards the same goals and to ensure that all required support is known and in place.

IT/Library
IT and media resources are a common thread behind many of the activities which help to enhance students’ learning experience, such as their online student account (giving access to email, printing, payments, support and more), UniLearn (the online learning environment) provides open access to computers on each campus, printing services, and media equipment.
USW has a strong commitment to providing technology-based learning environments to support students. Whether studying on campus, at home or elsewhere, students have web access to their course materials anytime and anywhere.
The excellent Library is where students can get the help from specialist librarians who can offer advice on finding resources for their studies. The library contains a wide range of books including copies of every set or recommended texts for each of their modules. USW also provides access to journals and data bases related to the discipline so students can keep up to date with the latest research.
There is also a periodicals collection with newspapers and a range of fashion magazines. Many of these resources are also available digitally. The library staff in consultation with academic staff, work proactively on making sure our offer of books and other resources is current and up-to-date.
The library is particularly well resourced with regard to Photography relevant material, which includes a couples of gifted special collections (including by Magnum Photographer, David Hurn). 

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

MA Documentary Photography

MA Arts Practice (Arts, Health and Wellbeing)

MA Film

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Typical A-Level Offer
BCC - CDD to include a relevant art and design subject (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level with a relevant art and design subject (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass in a relevant subject (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical IB Offer
Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A