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Access to Photography

  • Qualifications National Qualifications
  • SCQF Level SCQF Level 5
  • Study mode August 2026 Courses
  • Campus Ayr
  • Start date January 2027
  • Duration 18 weeks or less
More information

Attendance/Duration

Short full-time

Overview

Kickstart your year with creativity and join us in Access to Photography. This immersive program is tailored for those eager to explore the art of photography from the ground up. Over the course of several months, you'll gain a strong foundation in photography, covering essential topics such as camera usage, composition, lighting, and digital image editing. This course is the ideal choice if you are considering studying NQ Photography. For entry to the course, you’ll need a real passion for photography, that you wish to develop full-time and a portfolio of images that showcase a range of subjects, techniques and skills that you are able to discuss at interview. Formal qualifications of 3 relevant Nat 4s or previous completion of the Introduction to Photography course, would help your application but does not necessarily bar you from the course, although it would demonstrate your preparedness for this level of study.

Entry Requirements

For entry to the course, you’ll need a real passion for photography, that you wish to develop full-time and a portfolio of images that showcase a range of subjects, techniques and skills that you are able to discuss at interview. Formal qualifications of 3 relevant Nat 4s or previous completion of the Introduction to Photography course, would help your application but does not necessarily bar you from the course, although it would demonstrate your preparedness for this level of study.

Course Content

This course gives you a good foundation in capturing and editing both still and moving images. You’ll be taught by award winning photographers, working to high standards and deadlines to help prepare you for the real world. Here’s just some of what you’ll be doing: In photography, you’ll start with the basics, including technical and creative aspects of using a camera. You’ll then develop skills in photographing people and places, going on location for interior and exterior shots. You’ll learn to enhance and manipulate digital images, developing skills in Photoshop.

Careers and Further Study

In this course you will build transferable Essential Skills in meaningful contexts to help you become more effective in life, learning, and work. These include:

  • Communication
  • Numeracy
  • ICT
  • Working with others
  • Problem solving

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll have the choice of:

  • Moving onto our Level 6 Photography course
  • Exploring similar areas such as Film and Broadcasting

You may also decide to explore future career options including:

  • Content Producer
  • Social Photographer
  • Portrait Photographer
  • Press Photographer
  • Fashion Photographer
  • Corporate Photographer
  • Photo Editor

With additional qualifications, you may be able to progress to a degree programme, such as:

  • Broadcast Production or Filmmaking and Screenwriting at UWS
  • Media courses at Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian, Stirling, Queen Margaret or Edinburgh Napier Universities
  • Edinburgh or City of Glasgow College
  • Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen