Photography HND (Full time)

Overview

The Pearson BTEC HND Photography course aims to provide a comprehensive study of photography to meet the creative and commercial needs of an image-based world. There is an emphasis on the skills valued by employers in the creative sector, making ‘live’ client-based assignments integral to the course. Study will focus on many aspects of photography including: Documentary; Reportage; Fine Art; Studio and Commercial Photography, using both digital and darkroom-based techniques. You will make use of our industry standard software and modern studios to ensure that you refine your skill set to meet employability requirements.

On completion of the HND course you will be able to pursue a career in the photography industry in a range of areas including – Photographic Studios, Media and Photographic Journalism. The skills you will develop will also prepare you for setting up your own business and to work as a freelance photographer.

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Need to know Course content Next steps Additional information

Need to know

Entry requirements

To begin this course you will need:

Photography BTEC HNC, OR
Foundation Diploma Art and Design or UAL Level 3 Photography

Mature students will be considered individually on relevant professional experience rather than qualifications.

Entry will also be subject to a successful interview, where you will be asked to present a portfolio of your creative work, including developmental worksheets or sketchbooks.

What qualification will I gain?

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Art and Design (Photography).

How will I be assessed?

You will work with a range of specialist lecturers, including practising artists, in well-equipped studios and workshops. Project briefs are set for each assignment, and you are encouraged to develop a personal response to each task.

All activities are supported through one-to-one tutorials and group discussions to inform you of personal progress and to aid assessment. Assessment is continuous throughout the course, with assignments graded at the end of each project.

Course content

During the course, you will study both core and specialist units. You may negotiate an aspect of your specialist unit study with your tutors, by suggesting which units may benefit future career intentions.

Mandatory core units:

Visual Communication
Ideas Generation and Development
Contextual and Cultural Referencing
Professional Practice
Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation.

A minimum of 60 credits from specialists units Group A (the majority of units are 15 credits each):

Communication with Images in Art and Design
Art, Design and Media Practice within the Digital Environment
2D, 3D and Time-based Digital Applications
Digital Media in Art and Design
Lens-based Photography Techniques
Studio Practice in Photography
Darkroom Practice in Photography
Visual Language in Photography
Advertising Photography
Reprographic Processes in Photography
Photographic Techniques
Digital Image Creation and Development
Location Photography
Fashion Photography
Press Photography and Photojournalism
Specialist Practice in Photography
Photographic Materials, Techniques and Technology
Management of Art Exhibitions
Time-based Artwork.

Specialist units Group B (no minimum credit):

Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation
Critical Study in Art and Design
Professional Studies in Art and Design
Ideas in Context
Research Project
Personal and Professional Development
Managing a Creative Business
Business Practice in Art and Design
Work-based Experience
Employability Skills
References and Sources in Art and Design
Commissioned Fine Art Work
Drawing Techniques and Processes in Art and Design.

Next steps

On successful completion of the HND, you could top up the qualification to a full Bachelor’s degree at university or enter employment.

Additional information

Additional costs

Resource fee of £150 to cover printing costs, photography trips/visits, your end of year final major project and entry fee for competitions

Please note: You will be required to attend college 2 days per week (Days to be confirmed).

Interested in this course?

If you would like to be notified when this course is next available, please fill out the form below.

Available Courses

Bedford College

Starts:	17/09/2025
Type:	HE
Length:	1 year

Day(s):	Wednesday, TH
Time(s):	9:15am - 4:30pm

Fees:

£6,000.00 Fee notes: The fee indicated is for each year of the course.

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the Website is correct, some details may be subject to change. The Bedford College Group reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.

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Loan Pay by Instalments

You could be eligible to take out a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees. Click on the link below to find out more about the financial support available for our Higher Education courses.

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If you decide to pay for your course yourself, we also offer an affordable Direct Debit instalments option to help spread the cost of tuition fees (terms apply).

Art & Design

Laura

I studied an Art & Design course at Level 2 five years ago at a different college. I love art, but was keen to learn more about photography, which this particular course unfortunately didn’t cover in any great depth. I have a 12-year-old daughter and have been waiting for the right time to study again. I bought my own camera three years ago and enrolled on to the part-time HNC Photography course last autumn.

I chose The Bedford College Group because it is definitely the best around for Photography. The course is one day per week, but I always come back in for a second day so that I can benefit from tutor support.

It was scary getting back into education at first, but it’s definitely worth it and I have so much more confidence.

I’ve learnt different techniques on the camera I didn’t know about before, and also how to use Photoshop. We’ve been on trips to the Tate Modern and to a photography show. We also went to London last week to do some street photography, which I love.

My current project is based on narrative photography, where a photo tells a story but there is no wrong or right. I have produced three photos on the theme ‘what happens after happily ever after?’ One is happy, one is independent and strong and one is sad.

At home I like to photograph friends with their babies and do pregnancy shoots too. The area I want to get into when I finish the HNC is wedding photography. I’ve already done one wedding for a friend and have another coming up, which I’m really looking forward to.

Additional Learning Support

If you have a specific learning difficulty or disability, are deaf or hearing impaired, our Additional Learning Support team are on hand to give you assistance whenever you need it. Email: ALSteam@bedford.ac.uk or call us on 01234 291333.

Financial Support

For information regarding financial support, please visit the Financial Support section to see the support you may be entitled to apply for.

Accessibility

We have access arrangements in place to help students with disabilities or any other particular needs. Call us on 01234 291000 or 01536 413123 for more information.

Any questions?

If you would like to find out more about this or other courses, please use our Livechat below, email info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk or call us on 0345 658 8990.

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Overview