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BA (Hons) Creative Practice (Top-up) image

BA (Hons) Creative Practice (Top-up)

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Course Code
P00192
Subject Area
Creative Industries, Computing, Digital & Construction
Campus
Hillsborough Campus

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Top-Up in Photography, Media and Graphic Design offers a dynamic opportunity to refine your creative identity and develop the professional, technical, and theoretical skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive creative industries. This one-year course enables students from a Foundation Degree or equivalent Level 5 qualification to achieve a full Honours degree. You’ll specialise in one of three creative pathways — Photography, Media, or Graphic Design — while engaging with a shared curriculum designed to strengthen your critical understanding, creative practice, and professional development. The programme combines conceptual thinking with practical application, preparing you for a successful career in the creative sector or for postgraduate study. Pathways: Graphic Design Media Photography Key Units: Critical Studies This module encourages you to explore the theoretical and cultural frameworks that underpin contemporary creative practice. You’ll critically engage with key debates, movements, and methodologies within photography, media, and design, developing a deeper understanding of how social, political, and technological contexts shape visual communication. Through essays, presentations, and research projects, you’ll strengthen your ability to analyse creative work and articulate informed, original perspectives on your chosen field. Creative Practice Creative Practice allows you to experiment, innovate, and refine your artistic and technical skills within your chosen pathway. You will produce a series of exploratory projects that push your creative boundaries, exploring advanced techniques, media, and processes relevant to your specialism. This module supports the development of your personal style and visual language, encouraging conceptual depth and professional-level outcomes that demonstrate your readiness for industry or further study. Professional Development This module focuses on preparing you for your future career....

About the course

Graphic Design, Media, Photography, Critical Studies, Creative Practice, Professional Development, Planning for Major Project, Major Project
Applicants are expected to have successfully completed a Foundation Degree or HE Diploma equivalent to 96 tariff points and provide a supportive reference GCSE English Language at grade C/4 (or above) or NQF L2 equivalent are required (please note that the minimum level of English Language is IELTS Level 6 with minimum score of 5.5 in all skills areas). All pathways on the BA (Hons) in Creative Practice encourage widening participation. A place would be offered where you meet the required entry criteria and it is felt that you can cope with the demands of the course and benefit from the experiences that it offers. External applicants will need to attend an interview and portfolio review. References, alternative experience and skills will be taken into account. (it's listed on entry requirements)
Methods of assessment and feedback, including moderation/internal and external verification and the requirements for progression through the programme, are explained during induction. They will be reinforced at all module briefings and at relevant times d
Successful students may wish to consider progression onto postgraduate study at Sheffield Hallam University or elsewhere.
How to applyPlease note that applications for this course should be made through UCAS. Course application code: P3A4College institution code: S22Course handbooksPlease click on a link below to download the course handbook for this qualification and other associated documents.Course HandbookProgramme SpecificationAssessment ScheduleAdditional InfoFurther informationAdditional information about higher education at The Sheffield College can be found here.The Sheffield College is a registered provider with the Office for Students.Terms and ConditionsYou can find details of all of our higher education policies, procedures and T&Cs here.
Residential study visitsField trips are desirable but no a compulsory part of the course and will not be assessed and students who do not undertake a particular field trip will be provided with (and supported in) alternative learning opportunities. Students in financial hardship may be eligible to apply to the HE Student Support Fund.Equipment and Learning ResourcesIn addition some students choose to purchase computing or photographic equipment but these are not essential and the College does have excellent resources.There are printing costs of approximately £120 - £200 depending on which specialism students chose to study.