Photography - A Level

Applications Open -

Applications Close - Open all year

How to Apply - Please apply through KentChoices

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• Ashford College
• Broadstairs College
• Canterbury College
• Dover Technical College
• Folkestone College
• Sheppey College
• EKC Sixth Form College

Each application can include up to 4 A levels. At your interview you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

Photography is a subject that is ideal for students who want to develop their practical photographic skills and enjoy exploring ideas. Students will learn how to analyse and respond to the work of traditional and contemporary photographers whilst learning how to express their own ideas with confidence. It is largely a practical subject with students taking photographs in lessons and in their free time. It is however important to recognise that quite a lot of time is spent documenting and analysing their research as well as the work they produce. Students learn both digital and analogue photography within excellent specialist photographic facilities including a studio and darkroom. Developing your skills by looking at artists and designers is an important part of any artist experience. We invite guest photographers in to run one day workshops throughout the year and we also have many visiting speakers from universities to give you information about progression opportunities and careers.

The focus of the first year is on developing students technical skills (cameras, darkroom, Photoshop and studio) as well as their understanding of the assessment criteria. Students will keep a sketchbook where they document their work and research and there will be a number of deadlines where they present boards of final images. In the second year you will be further developing your skills and exploring your ideas to a high standard. You will produce a portfolio of high-level photographic work to show at interviews.

All A Level coursework is due in at the end of January in your second year. From the start of February you will then start your exam project. In May, at the end of the exam preparation period, you will be completing a final piece during a 15-hour exam spread over 3 days. The coursework is worth 60% of your A Level mark and the exam project is 40%.

Progression will be dependent on having made satisfactory progress in the first year, including achieving at least an E grade in a formal late spring assessment, as well as the maintenance of a good level of attendance and commitment throughout the year

For an A Level programme of study, we normally require students to have a range of at least five to seven GCSE passes at grade 4 or higher, ideally including English and Mathematics, but students must also satisfy the minimum entry criteria for A Level Photography below. Grade 4 GCSE Art & Design or Textiles or Graphics or Merit Level 2 Art & Design For those who have not previously studied a GCSE in Art and Design or Textiles or Graphics, or an equivalent Level 2 course, it is still possible to be considered for this A Level Art course. You will need to complete an exercise set by the Art and Design Department once you have had your college interview. The exercise will need to be submitted to the Head of Department during your College Induction Day.

Once you have applied to one of our Colleges, we will send you an email to create an account with us in order to choose an interview date. This system is referred to as the Enterprise platform and will look different to the Kent Choices platform.