Photojournalism and Documentary Photography BA (Hons)

The University of Bolton’s BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography allows you to explore, capture and inform society through a combination of news gathering, storytelling and technical photography skills. Our expert team will support you to gain the critical understanding and practical know-how you’ll need to create still and moving images and stories for publication by today’s mixed-media outlets.<br/><br/>There are many incredible stories in our world that demand to be told. From the local hero to international disasters, from an unforgettable music gig to the Champions League final, photography can capture the moments that define our lives. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, photojournalists and documentary photographers were classed as key workers in the UK, feeding images of our empty high streets and full hospitals to the nation, providing a valuable service for news agencies and online sources. These photographers offered a window into hidden worlds, playing an essential role in communicating the crisis and its human cost. Our BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography degree will focus on developing your abilities to create engaging visual stories.<br/><br/>Bolton has a rich heritage of documentary photography, thanks particularly to the Mass Observation Work Town project documenting and observing the community in the 1930s. More recently, our MA in Visual Journalism lecturer DJ Clark has had notable success with his immersive 360 film, Battleground PolyU, which won a series of awards, including World Press Photo Interactive of the Year and a Webby nomination.<br/><br/>Our BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography degree will develop your technical skills and bring you to the cutting edge of the industry. Scheduled visits, placements, and guest lectures from key industry professionals will help you start to build your network and deliver live briefs. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to work on producing an annual magazine and undertake our organised UK and overseas trips (additional costs may apply).<br/><br/>We’ll help you build a professional photographic portfolio and offer opportunities to exhibit your work in galleries and online. In addition, our final-year career development module aims to prepare you for the transition from graduation to full-time work and a successful start to your photography career.<br/><br/>Visit https://www.instagram.com/photoboltonuni/ to see examples of work from our students and graduates.