The City of Liverpool CollegeArt and Design (Photography/Fashion) — BA (Hons) Top-Up - The City of Liverpool College
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Art and Design (Photography/Fashion) — BA (Hons) Top-Up

Fashion, Art and Design|Media, Journalism and Production

Course ID: 173636

Course Year: 24/25

Course Details

  • 1 year, full-time course.
  • Study in our specialist facilities in The Arts Centre, the heart of the city centre.
  • We encourage and support you in the development and application of your self-promotion skills.
  • Boost your employability with work-related learning.
  • The BA (Hons) Art and Design (Top-up) is validated by The Open University.
  • Study in an inclusive, friendly and respectful learning environment.
  • Access support and guidance from our dedicated and passionate teaching team.

What to expect from the course

The BA (Hons) Art & Design (Top-up) is a one-year course that offers two specialist pathways to choose from: Fashion or Photography. The course builds on students' learning from level 5 study.

Each pathway is delivered by its own team of industry-experienced lecturers who guide students in developing a high level of specialist skills, techniques and knowledge.

Students identify and focus on their own area of specialism within their chosen pathway through a mix of advanced research projects, critical writing, and practical assignments and workshops, culminating in a dissertation and a final major practical project.

The creative industries are increasingly dependent on self-employed practitioners and small businesses providing specialist services and products. As such, a key feature of the programme is the focus on professional development and work-related learning, preparing students for employment, self-employment, enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

The BA (Hons) Art and Design (Top-up) is validated by The Open University.

The programme handbook for this course is available to applicants online:

BA (Hons) Art and Design (Photography) (Top-up) Programme Handbook (2024-25)

This programme is validated by The Open University. To access the OU Regulations and OU Students' Guide, please follow the links below:

OU Regulations

OU Students' Guide

This programme is delivered through in-person teaching. Should government guidance or public heath advice change in-year, students will be able to continue their studies with a blend of in-person and remote learning, supported by additional safety measures on campus.

Modules studied:

  • Specialist Portfolio Project
  • Research Project
  • Work Based Learning in the Creative Industries
  • Project Realisation / Dissertation
  • Collaborative Promotion & Brand Identity

How will I be taught?

Study is set with a vocational bias and skills and knowledge are developed through practical and theoretical sessions. Students will develop and refine a high level of practical skills and theoretical knowledge within their chosen area of specialism, gained through detailed research, contextual study, and practical delivery.

In preparation for employment within the creative industries, students will build professional skills through lectures and practical workshops from the faculty team and visiting lecturers from within the relevant industry sectors.

You will realise your final major project and dissertation with support and supervision from the specialists within the faculty team.

How will I be assessed?

Students have multiple opportunities to receive formative feedback throughout their course and they each have a Mid-Point review per module. This supports students in remaining on track with assignments and strengthens their professional relationship with staff. Summative feedback is also provided post submission. Students are assessed through portfolio work, theoretical responses, self-reflective evaluations.

Who is the course intended for?

The BA (Hons) Art & Design (Top-up) is intended for students who have already achieved a HND (Merit or above) or a Foundation Degree in the relevant subject for their chosen pathway.

Additional Costs

Students may be required to purchase their own materials for any specialist projects they undertake as part of the course.

Please note: this course will only run when it has a sufficient number of applicants.


Qualifications

BA (Hons) Degree in Art and Design (Fashion and Photography)

Why study with us?

Special features of this programme that, together, make it unique in Merseyside at this level are:

• The breadth of knowledge and skills covered across the programme
• A holistic approach to the training of art and design professionals by encouraging transferable learning across a wide range of work related contexts to enable them to pursue sustainable careers
• The balance between theory and practical work across modules
• Regular tutorials throughout the programme with an allocated personal tutor to support each student in academic, professional development and pastoral matters
• A small cohort, benefitting from small class sizes and timetabling designed to enable students to continue with family or work commitments while studying
• The use of real-world briefs and the department’s links with venues and music companies around the city (such as Sound City, Smithdown Road Festival, Laing O’Rourke, Abakhan
• Workshops and master classes given by local, national and international visiting speakers and artists
• Educational visits to locations such as Paris Photo, Iceland, Dublin, London Graduate Fashion Week
• The staffing for this programme, which consists of people with recent and current industry experience across a wide range of creative environments as well as scholarly activity. This valuable mix of experience and knowledge ensure students receive relevant, recent and up to date skills which position them effectively for employment, self-employment or progression to postgraduate study.
• The city centre location of the Arts Centre, which adds further impact to the programme as we are in a key physical position to link in with new and established city centre businesses, as well as being close to other college services such as the LRC and nursery and other HEIs.


Student Benefits

A baker decorating pastries.
Academy Bakery

The Academy Bakery is located on the Duke Street campus, producing a range of first class baked goods daily. These include artisan breads, patisserie and biscuits, as well as special occasion/novelty cakes by award-winning master-bakers. Students are offered a range of discounts throughout the year.

The Academy Bakery
A woman getting a nail treatment on her hands.
Academy Hair and Beauty Salons

Duke Street is also home to The Academy Hair and Beauty salons. They offer generous student discounts on a wide range of hair and beauty treatments, at a fraction of high-street prices. These include styling, cutting, perming, highlights, facials, manicures, electrolysis and traditional and homeopathic massage.

The Academy Salons
A chef preparing a dish.
Academy Restaurant

Duke Street campus is also home to the College’s Academy Restaurant. Often referred to by it’s customers as Liverpool’s hidden gem, the restaurant serves top class cuisine, at highly competitive prices. Food is expertly prepared by professional chef/tutors and young chefs in training and offers students a range of discounts at different times of the year.

The Academy Restaurant
An illustration of students using Office 365.
Microsoft Office 365 - Free

When you become a student of the College you’ll receive full access to Microsoft Office 365. This allows you to install the software on your own computer and other devices at home, completely free of charge.

A gym, including treadmills and exercise bikes.
Onsite Sports Facilities/Fitness Suite

The college has excellent sports and fitness facilities at its Roscoe Street campus. Students pay a one-off membership fee for all year round usage of weekly supervised gym sessions, as well as access to a number of sporting clubs and events.


Career pathways

This programme will produce graduates skilled in a range of specialist areas. Progression will be through direct entry into the creative industries or through further study at postgraduate level, including teacher training.

Example careers

We're here to help...

Contact us to discuss your application or find out more:

 : 0151 252 3000
 : enquiry@liv-coll.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

Indicative requirements: Level 5 qualification (minimum Merit grade) in Photography or Fashion (e.g. Foundation Degree or HND).

College uses UCAS Tariff points to standardise entry requirements. It is expected that the total tariff score of all your relevant qualifications is at a level of 96 points minimum. This is a points total achieved by converting qualifications such as A levels (and many others) into points, making it simpler for course providers to compare applicants. To check your qualifications tariff value use UCAS tariff calculator: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

If you are unsure of the entry requirements, or if you don't meet the criteria, please contact our Careers Advice and Guidance team who will be happy to help you find the best option for you. Email careersadvice@liv-coll.ac.uk or call 0151 252 3607.

Fees

This course is only available to learners aged 18 and over. Fees are payable by all students unless sponsored by an employer, but you may qualify for a student loan through Student Finance England towards the cost of your course and living costs. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/student-finance, or contact our HE team at HEoffice@liv-coll.ac.uk.

Fee for24/25 is 8400.00
In future years we anticipate increasing this fee in line with the annual inflation level (capped at RPI All Items Excluding Mortgage Interest (RPIX)).


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