Studying Photography A Level at Esher Sixth Form College

Photography is all around us and is one of the fast growing and most exciting contemporary mediums. At Esher, you will develop your awareness of the photographic world that surrounds you. We work hard to enhance your appreciation of Photography, teach you how to use our Photoshop suite, DSLR and film cameras, and professional photography studio, and above all help you learn to love the visual world that is ever evolving.

Whilst the entry requirement is a grade 4 or above in GCSE Art, Photography, Media or Textiles, it is not essential. Students without the entry qualifications, but with a genuine desire to study this subject make up a large proportion of our cohort. You will need to contact the Head of Department and will be required to submit a portfolio of photographs at enrolment. Acceptance on to the course will be at the discretion of the Head of Department.

During the first year of Photography we work with you to develop your camera, Photoshop and studio lighting skills. You will be expected to complete a shoot a week for homework, which will reinforce what you learn in the classroom. You will shoot a wide variety of photographic genres, from fashion to documentary and landscape to portraiture, informed by a variety of photographers, old and new. The emphasis in the first year is skills based which requires a positive work ethic to keep up with the homework set.

In the second year you will further explore the skills you have learnt in Year 1 and develop them with one-to-one guidance and regular peer assessment sessions; your own ideas will be nurtured and you will be encouraged to independently explore your chosen style. We will look closely at the relationship between films, art, music and photography.

Alongside your practical photography, you will produce a 1500 word essay, which is an integral part of coursework in the second year.

The coursework, which is completed in the first and second year, is worth 60%. At the end of the second year there is an externally set practical assignment which is worth 40% of the overall A Level mark. Projects are marked by teachers and externally moderated by the exam board.

Art, Fashion, 3D Design, Graphic Communication, Media, Film Studies, Maths and English all offer a range of progression routes.

What extra support/enrichment activities are on offer?
We run two residential Photography trips. In the first year students have the opportunity to go on a three day Fashion and Documentary Photography residential course. This trip is based on building professional skills and photographic confidence. We have two professional photographers who run the event, and you will use professional models for the fashion shoots. This is always a popular trip and students relish working with professional photographers and models. In the second year we attend the spectacular Paris Photo exhibition. This is, arguably one of the most prestigious and exciting photography exhibitions in Europe. It’s scale and the variety of work is incredibly inspiring.

At the end of the second year, in conjunction with Media and Film, we hold an Esher Sixth Form College Oscars night. This is a night of glitz, glamour and awards. A suitably celebratory end to their Photography, Media or Film course.

We are also very lucky to have a fully kitted out professional photographic studio that is available to students throughout the College day and after College. This is fully supported by three Photography staff.

Photography A Level is a highly respected qualification, with 90% of our students progressing on university and arts foundation courses.

Here are some typical university destinations that our Photography A Level students go on to. Click on a destination to see some examples of courses they have taken;