Photography MA
Why choose this course?
On this MA Photography degree you will embark on a fascinating journey of visual experimentation and theoretical contextualisation in exploring the boundaries of the photographic through practice-led research.
You will develop a major body of practical work for exhibition over the 17-month course in a supportive and dynamic environment culminating in a final show at Kingston School of Art.
The course encourages a rich interdisciplinary approach that crosses the boundaries between different forms, disciplines and subject matters that engage with the expanded definition of the photographic medium (analogue and digital, new media and technology, still and moving image, installation; performance and the archive).
Our modules are designed to help you become an independent practitioner who speaks across a wide range of practices and theories reflecting on the technological, political, environmental and social role of the photographic.
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 17 months | 3–5 days per week | September 2020 |
| Location | Kingston School of Art, Knights Park |
2020/21 entry
If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2020/21 (i.e. between August 2020 and July 2021), please view the information about changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.
Continuing students
Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2020/21 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2020/21. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas Course page.
Reasons to choose Kingston
- The course ethos is to offer highly tailored and bespoke support to build your self -confidence and evolving practice, and enable you to take on ambitious projects and ownership of your ideas.
- Facilities include analogue and digital suites, a wet darkroom, professional photo studios, a finishing and demonstration area and camera store. You will have access to film and animation suites, bookmaking, printmaking and 3D workshops.
- There are visits to galleries, photography festivals and other cultural spaces, as well as study tours (visits are optional and incur an extra cost).
- Studies culminate in a show at Kingston School of Art, where you can exhibit your work.
What you will study
This research-led course engages with the photographic in its widest sense (analogue and digital, new media and technology, still and moving image, installation, performance and engagements with the archive).
You will have access to all Kingston School of Art's workshops and be encouraged to experiment with the photographic in new and innovative ways.
Modules
The key emphasis of this course is on supporting and developing the direction of your practice led-research through tutorials, presentations, and regular seminar discussions where you will be taught how to research and conceptualise your work.
The range of critical theory extends across dialogical aesthetics, ethnography, post-colonial theory, globalisation, environmentalism, social justice issues, queer theory and gender-based debates, privacy and surveillance, politics of the internet and technological aspects of the photographic medium.
You'll take three modules, worth a total of 180 credits.
Core modules
Critical Theory in Photography and Visual Culture
30 credits
This module enables students to develop an independent and critical approach to the expanded boundaries and definitions of photography and their own practice taking into account different critical theories and contexts. Culminating in a 5,000 word illustrated essay students consider the convergence of theory and practice, covering different theoretical approaches to photography and its inter-related media as well as engaging with a diverse range of approaches to producing, thinking and viewing photography and its relation to the visual arts.
Students are encouraged to engage with practices and concepts in contemporary photographic discourse that are relevant to their own interests by identifying their field of context and setting their own research objectives and particular trajectory. The outcome essay will tend to be a detailed analysis of photographers/artists relevant to the students practice.
Photography Practices
60 credits
This module introduces and develop students' individual photographic practice through self-initiated research supported by tutorials, group seminars, critiques and informal presentations that deepen students understanding of how their work can be situated within contemporary and historical frameworks, and expanded definitions of photography. Students establish working methodologies relative to a number of contributing modes of study: one-to one tutorials, seminars/discussion, research processes, the sharing and reviewing of work in progress, discourse and lectures by visiting professionals/theorists/practitioners, field visits and group critique.
The module culminates in the presentation of a body of work (and research seminar) at an assessment point where students evidence the development, planning, production and presentation of a body of work supported by the submission of blog and sketchbooks that evidences critical reflection; a 1000-1500 word critical reflective statement.
Advanced Photography Practices
90 credits
This final module enables students to advance their practice by building on their research enquiries that were developed in the previous modules. This enables students to build a strong and sustainable artistic practice and body of work that is coherent, innovative, conceptually resolved and technically well executed-for exhibition and publication. This module culminates in the presentation of a body of work for final exhibition in January (TB1 in YR 2) with an emphasis on research, production and process and the ability of the student to position their work within the wider context of photography and contemporary art.
In addition, students are also required to submit a publication, a 1000-1500 word critical reflective statement, and an artist's statement 150-300 words, which serve as an introduction to the body of work for audiences.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
You'll be assessed through photographic practice, research portfolios, blogs, essays and oral presentations.
Who teaches this course?
The teaching team fosters a strong year group ethos. Many shared and group activities create a rich and supportive learning and working environment. The staff team consists of internationally-recognised, research-active academics and visiting speakers and lecturers.
Fees for this course
Home and European Union 2020/21
- MA full time £9,500
Overseas (not EU) 2020/21
- MA full time £17,600
Additional costs
- Field trips are optional but are encouraged. The costs for field trips in London are minimal. There are suggested field trips to photography and film exhibitions and festivals nationally and abroad but these are optional.
- You will need to pay for all other materials including analogue film and analogue and digital printing processes.
- Costs regarding your own chosen art materials and specialist medium will depends on how you choose to research and realise your work. For the interim exhibition and final exhibition you will incur costs – these will depend on the kind of work you are producing. Presentation costs for printing, framing and mounting of your work can be in the region of £300–1,500. Students are encouraged, where possible, to fundraise and attract sponsorship to cover project costs, especially in the final year when students decide on the scope of their final project and how to exhibit their final exhibition.
Funding and bursaries
Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:
If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.
We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:
Facilities
There is a wide range of facilities at our Knights Park campus, where this course is based. Kingston School of Art has recently completed an ambitious programme of investment, making significant improvements to our workshops and other resources, to ensure that students are exposed to as many creative pathways as possible. The workshops and studios at Knights Park are open for creative exploration and allow opportunities for students and staff to collaborate on projects and share ideas, whether they are studying or researching. There are many adaptable studio and workshop spaces, active breakout spaces and stronger vertical and horizontal connections. Our ground-breaking facilities include:
- 3D workshop, with ceramics, concrete, resin-casting, plastics, metalwork, woodwork and a bronze-casting foundry, as well as a Big Build space for Architecture, set design and large scale model making
- Animation and post production studios
- Digital Media workshop
- Fashion (knitting and sewing workshops), with digital and analogue facilities, plus a working dress archive which includes pieces from 1750 to the present day
- HackSpace (for collaborative, creative, solutions-focussed projects)
- Letterpress and printmaking workshop, with digital and analogue facilities, to experiment creatively
- Moving Image workshop, with studios, editing suite, and industry-standard equipment
- Photography workshop, including studios, colour, and black and white darkrooms, processing facilities. This professional-standard suite includes two new digital imaging areas, darkroom areas, two double height photography studios and a general preparation, finishing and demonstration area. There is also an extensive range of equipment for loan and students are able to purchase photography materials. The colour and black and white darkrooms provide extensive facilities for film processing.
All our facilities are open access, meaning you can use them whenever you want, and irrespective of what degree you're studying.
The University also has its own on-site galleries, including:
- Dorich House - the former studio home of the sculptor Dora Gordine and her husband the Hon. Richard Hare, a scholar of Russian art and literature. Now Grade II listed, the building was completed in 1936, to Gordine's design, and is an exceptional example of a modern studio house created by and for a female artist.
- Stanley Picker Gallery - one of the leading examples of a university gallery in the UK. Its public activities are dedicated to the research, commissioning and presentation of innovative new practice across the fields of art, design and architecture for general, academic and specialist audiences.
- Project spaces at Knights Park campus, which you can book for the exhibition of large-scale work.
What our graduates say
Student work
Doris Himmelbauer
My Summer 2015 book
Juan S Ochoa
Self-portrait, Bogota 1993
Karina Holland
Tallest Women in the World, 2015
Marta Szalyga
Untitled, 2017
Marta Szalyga
Untitled, 2017
Francesco Rocchi
Beauty Masks, 2017
Francesco Rocchi
Shaped, 2017
Francesco Rocchi
Shaped (portrait) 2017
Gary Childs
Mirror Of The Unseen, 2017
Gary Childs
Mirror Of The Unseen, 2017
Gary Childs
Mirror Of The Unseen, 2017
Michel Gnahoua
Wax Hollandais
Michel Gnahoua
Wax Hollandais, 2017
Luisa Riekes
Under Deceptive Progress, 2017
Luisa Riekes
Under Deceptive Progress, 2017
Luisa Riekes
Under Deceptive Progress, 2017
Luisa Riekes
Under Deceptive Progress 2017
Susan Benson
Return to Dust, 2017
Susan Benson
Return to Dust, 2017
Susan Benson
Return to Dust, 2017
Sean Wyatt
Between two bridges, 2016
Sean Wyatt
Between two bridges, 2016
Sean Wyatt
Between two bridges, 2016
Hazel Davies
Polaroid Manipulations
Lin Y Lei
Untitled, 2016
Lin Y Lei
Untitled, 2016
Jiaheng Cao
Untitled, 2016
Leonida Crisafi
Untitled, 2014
Film and photography research at Kingston School of Art
Based in the Department of Film & Photography, the Visible Institute research group develops practice-based research, discursive frameworks and a culture of innovation. Film and photography are intermediate and medium-specific - connecting with - yet remaining distinct from other media. Visible Institute answers a need for concentrated lens-based research spanning the potential of both practices.
The name Visible Institute (VI) transmits the magic of film and photography, alludes to the latent image and suggests emerging and unexpected encounters.
VI is situated within KSA (Kingston School of Art), Kingston University, London.
Visible Institute explores still and moving image, relative to a number of identified research thematics. These categories are indicative points of intersection, framing the work of our researchers and practitioners. The Visible Institute engages with the importance of the genesis of film and photography, looks to expand genre definitions and promotes engagement with film and photography's special relationship with the document and the archive.
Our aim is to ensure informed - specialist and interdisciplinary - projects and challenging practice-based media emerge from within an institute that provides breadth and inclusivity, working across disciplines and set within a number of registers, through which film, photography and the moving image operate.
Visual Institute themes:
- haptics: touch, sense and contact;
- archive and the junction between documentary & fiction;
- transfiguration, mythology, ethnography;
- political, social, ethnicity, poetic, participatory;
- ecology, landscape, life-worlds;
- species discourses and film ethics;
- philosophy, psychoanalysis, hauntology and the image;
- the animated cusp of still and moving image;
- science and lens-based media; and
- pioneers: the genesis of film & photography
