Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A038
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
1. Course summary
- Engage with a medium that allows you to see, think and communicate differently.
- Thrive in an environment which cultivates your skills, confidence and risk taking.
- Shape your innovative, flexible practice while challenging photography conventions.
- Experiment with image making, its presentation and global dissemination.
- Collaborate to shape an ethical, responsible and sustainable future.
Our BA Hons Photography course advances your skills, business acumen and critical understanding as an independent photographer. You’ll work towards your creative and professional goals while harnessing your curiosity and creativity across a wide range of professional contexts – enabling you to fulfil your potential in the exciting and expansive world of photography.
2. How you learn
Based in our bespoke studios, workshops and digital spaces, you’ll join a dynamic and collaborative learning community. With their support, you’ll undertake creative adventures, explore possibilities and challenge conventions.
We’ll unfold your potential to contribute as a creative thinker and doer, applying your knowledge to industry, culture, society and life systems. You’ll gain industry-standard photographic/imaging techniques and skills – such as analogue/darkroom practice, high-end digital capture and workflow, moving image, studio and location lighting, scanning, post-production and print outputs. You’ll use a diverse range of technologies, software, media, materials and processes. You’ll also learn research methods to advance your contemporary photographic practice, as well as how to communicate the intellectual orientation of your work.
We’ll nurture your independence as a creative, ethical and sustainable maker, embracing new ideas and innovative approaches to project development and realisation. You’re encouraged to experiment with the form and presentation of photographic work in response to a variety of global contexts, audiences, platforms and real-world opportunities. You’ll also explore photographic professional contexts, including exhibitions and live projects with external partners.
You learn through:
- studio practice
- workshops
- technical demonstrations
- group and individual tutorials
- critical review
- lectures
- guest lectures
- external visits and field trips
- an external group exhibition project
Key themes
You’ll start by experimenting creatively and applying photographic skills. In workshops we’ll introduce photographic making and thinking, exploring approaches to image production and presentation across both analogue and digital technologies. You’ll then learn about key professional contexts and pathways, considering client and audience requirements while exploring diverse cultural, social and critical perspectives in relation to real-world opportunities and challenges.
In your second year you’ll explore further multidisciplinary skills and concepts relevant to the expansive field of photographic practice and image culture. You’ll undertake a collaborative sustainability project while developing your knowledge of the various sites, spaces, platforms and communities in which photographic work is made and shown.
In your final year you’ll define a self-initiated practice-based research project. You’ll deepen your exploration of the connections between intention, process, outcome and context. You’ll consolidate knowledge, technical skills, creative and intellectual abilities to produce a significant body of exhibition-ready photographic work, of a high professional standard.
Course support
We take a holistic and person-centred approach to assessment, supporting your creative growth while respecting the diverse ways people learn.
We’re a dedicated, qualified and highly experienced team of teaching staff with world-leading research and recognised, professional creative reputations. We take the time to get to know you, encouraging divergent ideas, histories and practices to thrive in an inclusive and equitable studio environment.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Work experience
You’re encouraged and supported to undertake a full-time work placement between the second and third year of your course. This gives you valuable additional work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful. We’ll develop your expertise in collaboration with various industry, commercial and creative practitioners, clients and organisations. We aim to provide a diverse range of work experience interactions throughout your time with us.
You’ll gain knowledge, skills and professional behaviours for your future career. You’ll become more confident, resilient and practised in professional interactions, better preparing you to succeed when you graduate.
Live projects
You’ll take part in live projects where you work with external partners or clients to respond to real-world challenges and opportunities, applying your skills in a professional setting and gaining valuable feedback.
Previous students have worked on projects such as Future Now, South Yorkshire Listening and Chaplaincy, and Heeley City Farm.
There may be photography opportunities for British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) – and you could also volunteer at Sheffield events such as Doc Fest, Off The Shelf and the Festival of the Mind.
Network opportunities
You’ll be able to attend industry events, such as the Royal Photographic Society’s Research Symposium, the Association of Historical and previous students have had opportunities to visit the Fine Art Photographers conference. We encourage students to submit their work to the Source Graduate Online annual showcase, where it will be showcased to industry professionals.
You’ll be able to hear from guest speakers to gain further insights into the industry.
Previous speakers have included Sophy Ricketts, David Bate, Alana Lake, Gareth McConnel, Simon Norfolk, Rut Blees Luxemburg, Tom Lovelace, Güler Ates, Edgar Martins, Jonny Briggs, Dominic Hawgood and Village Books.
Field trips
You’ll have chances to visit museums and galleries, which previously have included Tim Flak studio, Net-A-Porter studio, David Short studio, and The Print Space professional printing lab. Previous students have taken field trips to the Peak District, Manchester, Derby Format Photography Festival, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Liverpool Biennale, London, Paris Photo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Bilbao, Switzerland, Malta and Nepal.
Competitions
We’ll encourage you to enter national and international photography competitions and open calls.
3. Future careers
This course prepares you for a photography career in fine art, documentary, portraiture, fashion, editorial, advertising, commercial, photojournalism, music, sports, medical and clinical roles, including:
- photography art direction
- studio operation
- production and editing
- picture research
- public relations and marketing
- community arts
- education
- arts administration
- curation
- gallery management
- social media/content creation
- film making
- post-production
- arts festival coordination
- writing and publishing
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- S1 Artspace
- Webber Agency
- Gill Turner Photo Agency
- The Lowry
- Wex Photo Video
- Ilford Photo
- Apple
- Salt-Street Productions
- American Golf
- Pinkbike
- Alpkit
- Regatta
- JD Official
- Size Official
- Boohoo
- Flannels
- THG Studios
- NHS England
- Mission Foodservice
- My-Furniture.com
- Frasers Group
- Northern Fix
- McCann Manchester
- AVIT Media
Many graduates work as freelancers and entrepreneurs, have established their own business, work as art and photography teachers, or have gone on to further postgraduate study.
4. Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn more5. Equipment and facilities
You'll have access to a wide variety of facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more.
You'll be based in a fully equipped and purpose-designed studio, with state-of-the-art facilities, including:
- industry-standard computer hardware and software
- a dedicated creative media centre with a range of photographic equipment
- two fully equipped photography studios with Profoto lighting
- black and white darkroom
- colour darkrooms
- specialist print facilities
- fully colour-calibrated digital printing
- screen-printing and risograph
- textile, etching and 3D printing
- wood, plastics, metal, mixed media, casting and ceramic workshops
- CNC equipment, including laser cutters
Media Gallery
6. Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
With at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents
You can find information on UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Media Arts and Communication.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Media Arts and Communication degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Media Arts and Communication degrees.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Compulsory modules
The aim of this module is to introduce and encourage you to make imaginative and inventive use of skills appropriate to a diverse range of media project work. The module will promote an experimental, risk taking creative outlook. You will be encouraged to develop reflective thinking, understanding personal creativity and how this relates to your intended degree route.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module encourages you to experiment with a range of creative approaches to media production. You will learn key techniques relevant to a range of production areas. You will also receive brief introductions to the range of subject areas in the department of Media Arts and Communications in the first few weeks of the module. You will be encouraged in the early weeks of this module to experiment with a range of different media techniques and formats
Sample topics could include:
- Storyboarding
- Sketching
- Scripting
- Mark-making
- Life drawing
- Researching locations
- Use of still and video cameras
- Use of microphones
- Storytelling and narrative techniques
- Colour theory
- Understanding visual language
- Writing for different media contexts
- Layout and design
- Basic editing techniques in sound, video, images and digital design
- Working collaboratively
- Ethics, health and safety, risk assessments and release forms
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the academic study of creative media practice. Students will be supported in developing skills of academic research, learning and communication to further their appreciation of the relationship between their own practice and its wider historical, social, cultural and industry contexts.
Indicative Content:
This module introduces students to thinking and writing about their work in relation to the wider media landscape. Students will learn to write in a critical, academic style, using a range of resources to support their arguments. They will be introduced to the idea of academic texts and how to read, analyse and use these sources in their writing.
Students will be encouraged to engage in secondary research using a variety of library, gallery and media sources and think about their own production in relation to its social, cultural, historical and industry contexts.
This module will be delivered alongside the media project module and is designed to help students contextualise their practice. Students will be expected to research current and historical examples of the medium/genre they are specialising in and to show how their work relates to other examples of creative media practice. They will be introduced to some basic theoretical concepts and encouraged to think about issues in the wider media industry impacting on their practice such as regulation, copyright and distribution.
Students will cover topics such as:
- How to identify relevant literature (e.g. books and articles) to use in assignments
- How to read and understand academic literature
- Essay writing and structuring techniques
- How to use quotes and examples to illustrate a point
- Correct referencing, quoting and use of sources
- Use of libraries, databases, media archives, galleries and other resources
- Introduction to media regulation, codes and laws
- Histories of different media
- How to situate your own practice in relation to others’ work
- Identifying an audience for your work
- Analysing and critiquing arguments/messages in both academic and media texts
This module supports students in the development and production of self-directed creative media or communication project work, allowing them to demonstrate their skills across one or more media platforms. Students will produce a substantial portfolio of work relevant to their chosen area of creative media and communication, informed and supported through research and developed in consultation with a subject tutor.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
You will build on the skills you acquired in semester one to create a portfolio of media production in your chosen specialism. The nature of the work in this portfolio will be devised by you, in dialogue with your lecturers. You will be responsible for all stages of the project from idea generation and pre-production through to post-production editing and a final evaluation of your work.
Projects will be introduced by your tutors and grounded upon self-directed study and research; these form the basis of your practice work. Technical workshops and group tutorials will help you develop your skills and techniques. You will also spend some time in one-to-one supervision with a member of staff who specialises in your chosen area.
You will take part in small group peer review and critique sessions. During these sessions you will discuss your work and that of others, offering support, ideas and constructive critiques to help one another succeed.
During the module you will be encouraged to document your practical work in a research workbook using skills acquired last semester. The workbook can be presented in a format of your choice.
This module aims to support students in the development of independent learning, key study skills and attributes required for effective engagement with degree level study in the Media Arts and Communication subject areas. This module aims to help you to develop confidence in your ability to discuss and present your work clearly. You will be encouraged to reflect upon and gain an understanding of where your own strengths and weaknesses are with regard to your work, and begin to appreciate how to improve your practice and study skills. Through a range of activities and exercises you will be encouraged to take creative risks and to begin researching your ideas so that their potential can be explored. This module provides you with the necessary foundational skills from which all your future creative work can develop.
Indicative Content:
The module introduces the skills and techniques needed for university study and supports students in their development of a creative and reflective approach to their work.
The emphasis of the module will be to encourage students to develop several possible Media solutions that creatively address specified problems or fulfil the criteria of a given brief. Students will be encouraged to explore different ways of generating ideas, and to experiment with creative techniques such as: drawing, writing, creating mind maps, curating material from different sources, collages and more.
There will be introductions to essential skills in writing, drawing, IT and information gathering as well as techniques for project planning, time management and personal development planning. Students will receive training and guidance in using university resources such as the Learning Centre, student support services and careers services.
Students will be encouraged to set-up a blog or other form of online portfolio during this module that can both be used to reflect on their learning and display their production work not only on this module but throughout the course.
Other topics may include:
- Using the Library, your SHU email account and the virtual learning environment (Blackboard)
- How to access the range of student support services offered by the university
- Appropriate software and associated academic procedures
- Techniques for effective communication including the written word
- How to research effectively
- How to appropriately reference your research and acknowledge sources
- Planning and managing your time effectively
- Using the university careers and employability centre
- Getting the most from tutorials, and understanding the value of constructive criticism
- Working in teams and groups
- Evaluating your own and other people’s work
- Understanding assessment criteria
- Preparing for a presentation
- Speaking to a group
- Generating and selecting ideas
- Record-keeping
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This module introduces you to creative photographic making and production. You will investigate fundamental analogue and digital techniques and processes, including different types of printing and presentation outputs.
The module will encourage an exploratory and experimental approach in the development of ideas and project outcomes. The creative application of photographic skills, technologies and materials forms the guiding principle for the remaining duration of your studies.
You will learn appropriate research methods and the importance of evaluation to help inform and extend your thinking. Your practice will be supported by an introduction to relevant photographic histories, concepts and theoretical debates.
Module Content:
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Technical inductions and workshops
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Safe working and risk assessments
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Investigation through making and appropriate presentation methods and forms
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Methods to develop, record and visualise ideas
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Lecture and seminars introducing historical and contemporary practices, critical contexts and theoretical debates
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Learn to communicate, evaluate and reflect on your work and that of others
Module Aim:
This is the level 4 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Applied Project.
The module introduces the development of key employability and communication skills, and creative strategies relevant to professional practice. You will continue to investigate contemporary photographic methods and processes, deepening your understanding of the approaches through which practitioners can work.
You will be supported to work with external partners and collaborators from industry and the cultural sector, to develop work in specific professional contexts and respond to real world challenges. You will consider client and audience requirements and explore the significance of diverse cultural, social and critical perspectives in developing an informed understanding of your field.
Indicative Content:
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inductions and technical workshops
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digital skills and workflow development
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working with clients and industry professionals
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research, communication, and presentation
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critical visual analysis
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ethical, sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity issues relevant to industry and practice
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This project-based module will facilitate you to collaborate with others to tackle sustainable development challenges creatively. With the support of academics and external stakeholders, you will develop your collaborative, creative, communication, and presentation skills. Through multi-disciplinary project work, you will develop an informed and imaginative response to local and global sustainable development challenges.
Learning will be blended and delivered through teaching, workshops, doing, and independent study individually and in groups.
Indicative content:
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Study and consideration of Sustainable Development
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Exploration and utilisation of collaborative skills
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Exploration and utilisation of design thinking and creative thinking tools
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Project management
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Creative research methods
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Understanding audiences
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Communication and presentation skills
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Working with others, building relationship including with external stakeholders
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Critical thinking and reflection
Module Aim:
This is the level 5 work experience module and will enable you to work on an enhanced Applied Project.
The module explores a range of contemporary contexts relating to the professional display, installation, and presentation of photographic work in the production of an externally public facing group exhibition. It applies the skills and knowledge developed through creative practice to real world contexts.
You will consider the various sites, spaces, platforms, and communities in which photographic work is made and shown, and consider the methods through which artists work with different communities, audiences, and participants. By engaging in public/peer review you will further your ability to situate and communicate your developing independent practice in a professional environment.
Indicative content:
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development of individual photographic practice
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activities working with others in particular sites and contexts
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collaboration, cooperation, co-production, participation
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exhibition practices – curation, design and dissemination
Module Aim:
This module will explore skills, develop knowledge, and expand your abilities in the thinking and making of expansive photographic practices.
You will consider a range of techniques, materials, and processes appropriate to diverse creative fields of photographic image culture. You will develop your understanding of contemporary photography’s relationship to other mediums, disciplines and forms and consider the critical debates underpinning such practices.
You will be empowered to subvert conventions, produce new forms of independent practice and work imaginatively, ethically, and sustainably in response to the rapidly evolving discipline of photography. You will analyse the potential of current and emerging technologies in the realisation of creative image production and presentation.
Indicative content:
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technical workshops with materials, processes, and emerging technologies
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refinement of core photographic skills and techniques
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making in response to expansive practices
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development of an independent creative practice
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development of research in the consideration of relevant critical contexts
Elective modules
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Optional modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
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Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
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Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
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Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
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Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
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Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This module extends and deepens your ability to work independently in the development, realisation, and positioning of a sustained and critically underpinned self-defined practice. You will consolidate knowledge, technical skills, creative and intellectual abilities, to produce a significant body of exhibition-ready photographic work, of a high professional standard.
The module will support the specific requirements of your practice and enable you to effectively present and disseminate it in a relevant context in the public domain. It will further prepare you for career readiness and life beyond university in the development of your personal and professional autonomy, integrity, and resilience.
Indicative Content:
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practical workshops and technical surgeries
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tutorial support of project development and realisation
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group critique, peer review, and self-assessment
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independent research and investigation
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development and presentation of work for public dissemination
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engagement with external opportunities, platforms and audiences
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professional portfolios
Module Aim:
This is the Level 6 work experience module and will enable you to work on a professional and scholarly research project.
The module will focus on negotiating and defining a self-initiated practice-based research project which engages with critical thinking and creative testing and is situated in its relevant professional context. You will deepen your exploration of the connections between intention, process, outcome, and context.
The module will challenge you to develop and refine your personal and professional practice and associated workflows, within an independently driven creative sphere, thus supporting you to consider and explore professional futures, career aspirations and relevant pathways.
Indicative Content:
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personal and professional identity and development
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skills and ideation development
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research and articulation of critical ideas
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testing of work in different professional contexts
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industry and career pathways including alumni/graduate engagement.
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external visits to galleries, exhibitions and industry or cultural sector
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methods and platforms for professional presentation and dissemination
8. Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 268.6KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.