MFA Photography

Welcome to UCAStarting university is a big moment – congratulations! By joining UCA, you’ve chosen an exciting and rewarding path.

As you join our community of students, artists and academics, you’ll explore how you can use your talent to shape the future of the world around you, and design a career that inspires you.

Our university is a place for the bold, the curious, the extraordinary - as you’ll see for yourself when you meet your lecturers, technicians and classmates. On your course, you can expect to learn from practicing artists, innovators and researchers, collaborate with students across different creative disciplines, and make connections with industry leaders.

At the end of it all, you’ll graduate with the skills and experience you need to build a successful career doing what you love, in a way that makes a difference.

We believe the world needs more people like you, and we’re delighted to have you with us.

Make your mark. Make it here.

01252 892812

If you have any questions, please contact the Campus Registry Office:

campusregistryfarnham@uca.ac.uk

01252 892 834

Course Welcome

Welcome to UCA, to Farnham, and to our MFA Photography course..

We will be working together with you over the next two years to create amazing visual projects.

You have all been selected as individuals - you are all very different, and it is this diversity that makes our course so exciting and refreshing.

We start soon and cannot wait to meet you in person to start this new journey.

Dr Anna Fox

Programme Director

Your Team

Professor Anna FoxProgramme Director, MFA Photography

afox@uca.ac.uk

Professor Anna FoxProgramme Director

– Wells, Liz (2009), A Critical Introductionto Photography; London, Routledge

– Bates, David (2009) Photography: TheKey Concepts, London

– Cotton, Charlotte (2009), ThePhotograph as Contemporary Art; London,Thames & Hudson

– Fox, Anna; Caruana, Natasha (2020),

Research in Photography: Behind the Image (Basics Creative Photography) Routledge; 2nd edition

Trips and Visits

The course makes several visits to London during the year, at roughly £15 per trip for fares, etc.

Other field trips to photography festivals or project exchanges are all optional, and we have been to Paris, Arles and India.

A trip to Paris is likely to cost in the region of £300. Our trips to India have been a month long with free food and accommodation. Travel, insurance and visas have to be paid for (approx. £700).

Please note that all visits and trips are subject to COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

Reading List

You are not required to read any specific books in advance of starting the course, but there are a few suggestions below. We encourage you to actively find and read any publications and sources which you feel may benefit you in terms of your education and aspirations in this subject.

You will need:

– Camera of your choice

– Optional photographic extras (i.e. portable flash and tripod) – these are all available to borrow from our stores if you do not want to buy your own.

– Printing papers: analogue and digital (chemicals are paid for by the University and digital printing costs are minimal)

– Portable hard drive/ large size pen drive

– Portfolio, at end of the course

– A laptop. This will be required if you have limited access to the studios at any point.

Final showThe cost of the final show will depend on the project and ambition of the student. In the past, shows have cost anywhere between £200 and £1,000.

Equipment List

Explore UCA Farnham

Meet our campus community

I love UCA Farnham because... “Being a student at UCA is amazing, it’s like a big creative family. The opportunities and the facilities are incredible.”

I love UCA Farnham because... “The thing I like the most at Farnham is the people! I love working with students in workshops and recording sessions.”

Abigail Marsh – BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing

Vangelis Katsinas – Tutor technician, Sound Production

by Katie Hinton

My top spots

A student’s guide to… Farnham

As an international student who arrived in the UK completely unfamiliar with Farnham, I have found it to be the most friendly and welcoming place.

The campus might seem like a bit of a labyrinth at first, but you get used to it and it’s astonishing to see just how many incredible facilities it has, even for really niche subjects.

Farnham town centre is right on the doorstep, and I love its community vibe. There’s always something going on, and for me it’s just the right balance between a big city and my home (a rural town). Alongside the friendliness of everyone at UCA, that has really helped me feel settled.

Farnham CastleThere’s so much green space to explore in Farnham, whether it’s walking along the river or going to the Castle, where I love to do my sketches when the weather is nice.

The MaltingsThis is a great arts venue and there’s always something going on for you to enjoy or take part in. I really recommend it.

New Ashgate Gallery It’s free to get in here and they have about 20 different exhibitions going on through the year. I pop in when I can to see what’s on.

Tasty House I always end up getting some Chinese takeaway here when I go into London, as it’s right by the train station. It’s really good food, reasonably priced and it comes in reusable packaging, which is great.

The Wheatsheaf This is the pub that me and my coursemates go to every once in a while. It’s got a really nice atmosphere, and lots of choice when it comes to food and drink.

“ I love the community vibe of Farnham. There’s always something going on – it’s the most friendly and welcoming place.”

Lion & Lamb Yard Lion & Lamb Yard

New Ashgate Gallery

Gostrey Meadows

What could you create?

During your time with us, you’ll build your skills and hone your talents to produce some incredible work. Here are a few highlights created by recent graduates…

Malik Nieto ArtsIssey Hennessy

Sophie Lou

Becky Stapley

Anastasija Strelcova

Our graduates are forging stellar careers in fields from Fashion to Film, Architecture to Craft, Business to Games Design. We caught up with a few to find out more about their successes, and how they made the most the most of the UCA experience…

Phoebe Fox

BA (Hons) Music Marketing and Promotion, 2019Soon after completing her degree, Phoebe was touring the world photographing the likes of The Amazons and Anne Marie – a journey that began while she was still a student.

“I contacted small bands I liked to ask for photo passes to their London gigs, and used the UCA equipment to build a portfolio,” she explains.

“I spent three years balancing touring, festivals, shows and portraits with university commitments. The UCA lecturers were incredibly supportive. After I handed in my final major project, I went home to pack and got straight on a tour bus with Anne Marie.”

Tihara Smith

BA (Hons) Fashion, 2018Fashion graduate Tihara Smith’s final degree project - a collection inspired by her grandparents’ experiences as part of the Windrush Generation – set her up for career success.

“I wanted to highlight the positive contribution of the Windrush Generation and celebrate the islands of the Caribbean,” she says.

After graduating, Tihara widened her range and started selling it online and at festivals, markets and wedding fairs, and it proved so popular that she now runs her business full-time. “It’s been really exciting to see it grow,” she says. “I think some of the best collections are created from real stories that are personal to the creator.”

Where could your talent take you?

Phoebe Fox, photographed by Vendy Palkovicova. Tihara Smith. Picture by Kayleigh Pace.

Will McGregor

BA (Hons) Film & Digital Art, 2010Will has amassed credits directing episodes of cult drama Misfits, period saga Poldark, his first feature film, Gwen, and an episode of His Dark Materials.

“Space, time and support to make my own work was the greatest gift UCA gave me,” he says. “The campus felt like an incubator for creativity; all these creative individuals in one place, with access to kit and exposure to new ideas.”

“Make the most of that opportunity to make work and meet people, and make sure you get your work out there – enter all the student festivals and competitions you can!”

Hannah Bamgbala

BA (Hons) Fashion, Media and Promotion, 2020Hannah Bamgbala’s final degree work was inspired by her sister, Mercy, who has Down’s Syndrome and a serious eye for fashion.

Hannah’s Young, Kool and African website focused on bringing greater diversity to fashion and the media, and she’s gone on to work with the Down’s Syndrome Association to make sure that people of all ethnicities are better represented in their campaigns.

“If you have Down’s Syndrome and are Black — or from another ethnic minority background — there is no one visible for you and your family to relate to,” says Hannah. “That has to change.”

Will McGregor on set

Hannah Bamgbala and her sister, Mercy.

Jamie Windust

Lucy Noble

World Health Sanitation Box ©George Stoneham

Lucy Noble

BA (Hons) Film Production, 2014Lucy has worked as a script supervisor on films including Marvel Studios’ Black Widow, hit series Devs, Elton John musical Rocketman and Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One.

“I dabbled with script supervision throughout my degree,” says Lucy. “I reached out to script supervisors working professionally, asking for the chance to shadow them on set. All that time in the UCA film studio was useful, too – definitely get in there and practice in that arena, where you have a huge amount of control; it’s something you won’t always get when working on location.”

George Stoneham

BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA part 1), 2020George caught the eye of the RIBA Rethink 2025 judges, securing a place on the prestigious award’s longlist with an idea to turn former telephone and police boxes into “sanitation stations” that allow people to sanitise themselves on the go.

“While designing the Sanitation Box, I realised how much our world will have to change to design clean and healthy architecture,” he says. “We need to break down compact cities like London and design new, expansive cities with more green spaces, fewer cars, and buildings that flow better.”

Jamie Windust

BA (Hons) Fashion Management and Marketing, 2018Since graduating, Jamie Windust has become a champion for LGBTQIA+ issues in the fashion industry and beyond. They are a magazine editor, a writer for Gay Times and Metro UK, a signed model and a consultant helping brands such as UGG and ASOS to better represent and impact queer identities.

“I discovered my sense of self at university, and I don’t think I would’ve been able to do that in such an affirming and positive way if I wasn’t at UCA,” says Jamie.

“In my final year, I got to apply everything I’d learned to starting a business I feel passionate about. It’s a great space for people to launch real, tangible brands.”

Need to knows

Getting hereOur address is:

UCA FarnhamFalkner RoadFarnhamSurreyGU9 7DSTel: +44 (0)1252 722 441

How to get hereFor information on parking, directions and how to reach us by car, rail, air, please visit: uca.ac.uk/contact-us

Planning your journey - Useful links

thetrainline.com (rail travel)

tfl.gov.uk (London underground)

nationalexpress.com (coach travel)

COVID security We want you to have the best university experience possible, and part of that is about feeling safe while you’re here. For more information about the safety measures we’ve put in place, visit uca.ac.uk/coronavirus

Key contactsIf you have any queries, you can contact our reception team on: +44(0) 1252 722441

IT, Library & student servicesOur library is home to a wide range of resources to help support you in your studies, and a team of expert advisers. For more information, visit students.uca.ac.uk/library

For IT support, please pop in to see the IT advisers in the Library during opening hours, or contact:

Tel. +44(0)1252 892710

Online: uca.ac.uk/it-help-students

Our student services hub, the Gateway, is also based in the library. Its specialist advisers can help you with anything from careers to counselling, accommodation, managing your money or support with disabilities or learning differences.

Info: students.uca.ac.uk/library/academic-support

Contact: gatewayfarnham@uca.ac.uk

Students’ UnionThe UCA Students union, or UCASU, is here to make your time at UCA amazing. They run social events, clubs and societies, and campaign on the issues that UCA students care about most. To learn more, visit ucasu.com or follow:

@ucasu

@ucasu

/ucasu

UCA SocialsTo stay up to date with all things UCA, why not follow us on social media?

@UniCreativeArts

@unicreativearts

/ucreativearts

unicreativearts

Course Enrolment & Induction Teaching begins

BA, BSc and MArch 20 - 24 September 27 September

Postgraduate 20 - 24 September 27 September

International Foundation (Autumn start) 20 September – 1 October 4 October

Christmas Break 2021 Easter Break 2022 2021-2022 year ends

20 Dec 2021 - 7 Jan 2022 4 Apr 2022 - 22 Apr 2022

10 Jun 2022 (BA, BSc & MArch)

13 May 2022 (International Foundation)

Enrolment and inductionEnrolment officially makes you a UCA student, and induction covers how to make the most of our facilities, libraries, IT and student services. You’ll receive an email with details of when and how to take part.

Vacation dates

Key dates

We have begun an exciting project and a new chapter in our 160-year history. From 2022, we’ll be establishing world-leading Centres of Excellence to bring like-minded students and academics together around their shared passion for creative subjects.

As we focus on growing as a global creative university, we will be stepping back from Further Education from September 2023. However, all Further Education students joining us in 2021 will finish their courses with us, as usual.

A new chapter for UCA

International student task list

If you’re an international student and you’re coming to the UK to study with us, then there are a few things you need to do along the way.

Follow the steps below – not all of them will apply to you, but make sure you check them all, just in case.

1) Before you leave home:

□ Arrange your visa to study in the UK (if required)

□ Arrange your accommodation.

□ Book your airport pick up to take you to your accommodation.

□ Complete your online enrolment. You will be notified by Admissions when this is available to complete.

□ Pack all of the original documents that you have used when completing your online enrolment in your carry-on luggage (including academic and English qualifications). These may be requested at Immigration.

□ Read this information on the cost of living in the UK (if you need any further information, please contact your campus Specialist Adviser).

2) When you arrive in the UK:

□ Collect your BRP card (only if you require a visa).

□ Register at the local police station (not all nationalities are required to do this – please click here for additional information).

□ Register with a local Doctor (GP).

□ You will need to provide all of the original documents that you brought to the UK with you at your physical enrolment. You will not be able to fully enrol on your course without them.

3) Once you have completed your physical enrolment:

□ Apply for your council tax letter (available via MyUCA once you are fully enrolled).

□ Apply for your Bank letter to open your local UK bank account (available via MyUCA once you are fully enrolled).

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Join us at #UCAliveWe run live Q&A sessions where you can ask us anything you like about what it’s like to live and study here at UCA. Visit our website and follow us on social media to find out about our next #UCAlive session.

Chat with our studentsIf you’re looking to find out more about student life at UCA, our Unibuddy scheme gives you the chance to chat with people who are studying here right now. To chat with a student in your subject area, visit: uca.ac.uk/ask-our-students

Connect with us

Course Title: MFA Photography

Programme Director: Caroline Molloy

Delivery for 2021/22 academic year

We would like to reassure our students that we are committed to delivering a face to face experience for 2021/22 and we are hoping that 2021/22 will be a year when our students can return to all of our campuses. However, we are aware that changes to our delivery may continue to be required in response to public health advice and as a result of any ongoing Coronavirus measures. We have prepared this information to let you know how your course may be adapted based on changes that were implemented during 2020/21, as a result of Government advice.

We are not planning on making any changes to your course or unit aims, learning outcomes, or assessment methods, under any of our delivery scenarios.

Scenario 1 – Social Distancing rules are continued/re-introduced as a result of public health advice for the 2021/22 academic year:

Changes to learning spaces • Our priority as a university is to deliver our teaching on campus. This may be in socially

distanced face-to-face tutorials, group seminars and workshops.• We will adapt the layouts of our classrooms, workshops and studios so you can have safe

access to these and other specialist facilities, taking social distancing measures intoaccount and providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where needed.

• Wherever possible, face-to-face will be prioritised.

Timetabling • We will adapt the scheduling of classes to limit the number of students on campus at any

one time• We will adopt the ‘bubble’ principle: meaning you will be taught in smaller groups to enable

social distancing, and have as little physical contact with other groups as possible• We will plan the scheduling of your classes so you can transition between them safely and

make the lowest possible number of trips to and from campus each week.• .

Contact time

• We will not change our approach to contact time and scheduled delivery, this will still takeplace as published in our Programme Specifications and unit descriptors.

• However, where necessary, contact time may take place in a different way in order toenable social distancing to be implemented and to prioritise students’ access to facilitieswhere necessary. This will mean moving some of activities online.

Online learning

• Where online delivery is used, it will be for lectures which allow us to maximise our onsitecontact with you for tutorial and workshops. This will mean you can still access them if youare self-isolating, shielding, or unable to come to the UK.

Wellbeing & support

Teaching during COVID-19

• One-to-one Personal Development Tutorials with an academic tutor, where they’ll talkthrough your progress and check on your wellbeing will be available. You will also be able torequest online tutorials where face-to-face meetings are not possible.

• You’ll have access to a full range of specialist advisors who will offer online sessions whenface-to-face meetings aren’t possible. Your personal tutor will be able to direct you to UCAspecialist advisors

• All our plans take vulnerable learners and students with additional learning requirementsinto account – we’re making sure we can deliver learning safely to all our students, whetherthat means accessing learning resources on campus, or online.

Industry links • We will continue to host where appropriate, visiting lectures, external projects, and

networking events be they face-to-face or through online learning.• We will make plans to deliver work placements safely – even if that means you working for

your placement organisation remotely.

Assessments • Wherever possible, assessments will take place within the space available to us at the time.• If you’ve been personally affected by Coronavirus, your assessments will take this into

account and make sure you are not disadvantaged by it.

Equipment & resources • We’ve developed new library systems and cleaning processes for loans and equipment hire to

make sure you can borrow what you need safely.• We will endeavour to make available IT resources to students where possible.• As soon as Government advice permits, we will provide as much physical access to our

libraries as we can. This will ensure that you have access to our physical and digital resources and are able to observe social distancing for your own safety and that of others.

Scenario 2 – a further lockdown is implemented by Government:

During the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years we introduced a number of emergency measures that included:

• Moving learning and assessment online.• Looking at prior activity with a view to ensuring that learning outcomes are covered

somewhere within the year of study and adjusting assessment tasks accordingly.• Providing alternative assessment where the original assessment is not deliverable.• Providing extensions for units where necessary for the learning and for individual students if

their circumstances require it.• Where the University is not the awarding body, following the validators’ exacting

requirements for predicted and other grades so that students receive a final outcomecommensurate with effort and aptitude.

These measures would be re-introduced if necessary, but only for the period covered by the lockdown, with a return to scenario 1 as soon as is safe and practical to do so.

Adapting to your feedback

• We’ll continue to work with you to find out how you’re feeling about the new measures.• You'll have the opportunity to work with teaching staff to adapt and improve the way

we deliver your course in line with public health guidelines.