Photography A Level

Applications Open: - 26th November 2025

Applications Close: - 16th January 2026

Entry Requirements: - Each course has its own entry requirements, please see course descriptions or the prospectus for details.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

PLEASE PICK THREE COURSES AND ONE RESERVE

YOU WILL COVER A WIDE RANGE OF PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES USING A VARIETY OF MATERIALS AND DEVELOPING YOUR IDEAS CREATIVELY. LEARNING THROUGH THE INVESTIGATION OF ARTISTS AND RESEARCHING EXTENSIVELY WILL RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL APPROACH AND STYLE. FINAL ART PIECES ARE PRODUCED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. DEVELOPMENTAL WORK AND THE ABILITY TO ANNOTATE THE PROGRESSIVE STAGES OF THE WORK WILL BE ESSENTIAL.

UNIT 1: PERSONAL INVESTIGATION (60%) You will generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, recordpractical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcomes. Your Personal Investigation incorporates three major elements: supporting studies, practical work, and a Personal Study. Your supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on themes and ideas developed from personal starting points (agreed by your teacher). The Personal Study is evidenced through critical written communication (1000 to 3000 words of continuous prose), which may contain integrated images. The Personal Study comprises 12% of this unit.

UNIT 2: EXTERNALLY SET ASSIGNMENT (40%) The Externally Set Assignment (exam paper) is released in February from AQA and contains a theme and suggested starting points. You will follow the same process as the Personal Investigation and create preparatory studies and then, around April time, have a 15 hour period of sustained focus to produce your final outcome(s).

5 GCSE grades at 4 and above including a 5 in an Art subject. If you are opting for a different specialism to your GCSE a portfolio and meeting will be required.