University
University of Canterbury
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Bachelor's Degree
Duration
4 years
Next start date
Expected Feb 2023
Campus
University of Canterbury
Summary
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a prestigious degree that will give you a broad knowledge in visual arts, multimedia, and design before you specialise in one studio area.
The four-year degree is based within purpose-built facilities and students enjoy being part of a supportive community of practitioners.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts requires a total of 480 points:
- 90 points of compulsory Fine Arts courses
- 45 points of compulsory Art History and Theory and/or Cinema Studies courses
- 270 points towards a specialist studio subject
- 75 points from courses in Arts or other degrees.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a BFA with another degree.
Photography
Studies in Photography begin with a comprehensive introduction to photographic principles, an exploration of photography as a device for communicating information, ideas and personal insights, and an introduction to the basic materials and processes of photographic practice.
Further studies involve an examination of the procedures which are distinctive to photography and how these procedures can be used for documentary and artistic expression.
Advanced studies are individually constructed; they focus on projects concerned with expressive aspects of the medium, and are encouraged to see their work and to examine it critically within its historical and sociological context.
Further study
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts; Master of Fine Arts; Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship
A UC Fine Arts degree is accepted as an possible qualification to postgraduate studies in other tertiary institutions in New Zealand and overseas. UC graduates have been accepted into the best graduate programmes in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, the United States and Australia.
Career opportunities
Photography students gain careers as professional artists, art gallery directors, photojournalists, commercial photographers, consultants, art critics, art historians, lecturers and art teachers.
Entry criteria
General Admission to enrol for a bachelor's degree is University Entrance, or equivalent qualification.
To apply for admission to the Intermediate Year (first year) of the BFA directly from secondary school, you need to have met University Entrance requirements and:
- achieve NCEA Level 3 Visual Arts in one or more subjects; and
- have at least 14 credits in each of two other NCEA Level 3 subjects (that are not practical art subjects) is also strongly recommended; or
- the equivalent standards in other secondary school qualifications.
All applicants also need to submit an application form, a letter of introduction and a portfolio.
Applicants must also satisfy our English language entry requirements:
- IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 6.0, with no band score lower than 5.5.
- TOEFL (IBT): Minimum overall score of 80, with a minimum score of 19 in Reading, Listening and Writing.
- PTE (Pearson Test of English - Academic): Overall score of 50, and no communicative skills score below 42.
Undergraduate application deadline: Semester 1 (February start) by 31 October.
Studying in NZ
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