Photography

USW’s Photography and Documentary Photography courses are internationally renowned, backed by over 100 years of teaching and a long-established reputation for excellence.

State-of-the-art facilities

Work in fully equipped photographic studios, digital labs, editing suites and print rooms, with access to professional cameras, lighting, analogue and digital tools.

Learn from industry leaders

You will be taught by experienced photographers, photojournalists, curators and creative professionals who are actively working in the industry.

Creative freedom with real industry briefs

From documentary to commercial photography, your work includes live briefs and real-world projects that help you build a professional-standard portfolio.

Discover and define your visual voice

Through practical and conceptual projects, you will develop your own unique style and visual language, preparing you for a wide range of creative careers.

Students setting up professional lights and cameras to photograph two people stood against the white backdrop in the photography studio.

Photography Student work - two people standing on a mountain side

Documentary Photography - BA (Hons)

Follow your passions to document real people and important issues on this practical and engaging documentary photography course.

Photography Add to course compare

Photography - BA (Hons)

Follow your interests to become the versatile and multi-skilled photographer you’re meant to be, capable of thriving in any work environment.

Photography Add to course compare

Did you know?

A person in a red suite, they are standing in front of a factory in a quarry.

Image credit (Laurie Broughton – BA Documentary Photography).

Did you know?

BA (Hons) Photography is officially accredited by The Association of Photographers (AOP)

Image credit (Laurie Broughton – BA Documentary Photography).

Inside the subject

Create without limits

Work in fully equipped studios, digital editing labs, print rooms and darkrooms, with access to professional cameras, lighting and specialist equipment. With expert technical support and an extensive equipment loan facility, you will have everything you need to experiment, create and build a standout portfolio.

Creative Graduate Festival

Creative Graduate Festival is a showcase of final-year work from students across the USW Creative. It highlights the ideas, skills, and projects developed by students as they prepare for careers in the creative industries.

Creative Graduate Festival

Documentary Photography students set off on Station to Station 2025

Build your creative voice through real-world projects

Our photography students work on powerful storytelling projects that take them into real communities and real experiences, just like this journey through the South Wales valleys. If you want hands-on opportunities that grow your skills and help your work resonate beyond the classroom, this is where your creative potential can thrive.

Station to Station, a South Wales Valleys project

Reach your potential and make your mark

Discover how studying Documentary Photography at the University of South Wales can launch you into a world-class career, just like USW graduate and New York Times photojournalist Ivor Prickett, whose powerful work helping his team win a Pulitzer Prize shows the global impact our alumni can achieve.

USW graduate is a Pulitzer Prize winner

A journey from personal photography to professional creativity

Rebecca Miles

Photography student

Switching to Documentary Photography at USW

Freddie Bingham

Documentary Photography student

New York Times photojournalist and USW graduate is a Pulitzer Prize-winner

Ivor Prickett

Documentary Photography graduate

Telling stories through Documentary Photography

Grace Barrett

Documentary Photography student

Turning a creative outlet into a career in Photography

Ailish James

Photography student

Exploring photography with industry-standard facilities

Elis Jones

Photography student

Showcasing work at the National Portrait Gallery as part of Photo Portrait Now

Student Work

Documentary Photography students

Explore our facilities

Photography Studios

Work in professional photography studios and digital labs with access to industry-standard equipment and specialist technical support. You’ll develop your skills through hands-on practice in shooting, editing and producing visual work.

Your student experience

Students' Union

Four students sat on steps outside the Cardiff Campus.

Support and Wellbeing

Student holing a lacrosse stick and wearing a USW Women’s Lacrosse tshirt.

Clubs and Societies

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Study in the heart of Cardiff

Cardiff is one of the most affordable cities in the UK too, so it’s perfect for cash-strapped students. There’s always something happening or new places to discover.

Cardiff Campus