Truro and Penwith College

FdA Film, Media and Photography

UCAS course code W601
Institution code T85
Duration

2 years
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Truro and Penwith College
Apply at UCAS.com
Rated Ofsted Outstanding (2016), Truro and Penwith College provides a range of quality degree courses with employer needs in mind. All students benefit from an excellent support network that helps to put them on the best footing for a successful future after graduating. Finding themselves at home in purpose-built buildings with expert lecturers and access to industry-standard equipment, students can study a quality university course right here in Cornwall.
A variety of people enter higher education with an assortment of experiences and commitments, but with the flexibility at the heart of our programmes, the College offers a compressed timetable and small class sizes to allow students to study in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whatever your background, studying University courses at Truro and Penwith College means an opportunity to study locally, the chance to fit home or part-time work around your lectures and the one thing all our students have in common – the shared experiences of a quality education right here in Cornwall.
For more information visit the Truro and Penwith College website.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    TRUR1186
    Introduction to Contextual Studies

    An introduction to the contextual study of photography and moving image texts. Introduces students to a theoretical framework for understanding the history of photography and its relevance to the development of moving image productions. Early developments and debates around the path to modernism will be studied and analysed in order to grasp the importance of understanding the context of their own creative productions.

    TRUR1187
    Photographic Techniques

    This module will focus on establishing practical photography skills. Students will use a range of technologies and apply them to a range of situations both on location and in the photographic studio. The practical experiences will lead to the production of images and supporting work in response to set briefs.

    TRUR1188
    Moving Image Techniques

    This module introduces essential practical skills for moving image production. Students will be introduced to a wide range of equipment to enable them to record moving image and sound and learn about camera, audio and lighting techniques. They will explore simple editing techniques and produce short video products.

    TRUR1189
    Visual and Graphic Design Techniques

    Introduces students to the principles and practices of graphic design as applied to still and moving image products. This will be achieved through illustration, colour theory, font style and expressive and imaginative manipulation of visual imagery. Students will gain skills that develop their application of the line, layout, texture, space, structure, composition and motion graphics.

    TRUR1190
    Applied Factual Production

    This module aims to allow students to develop ideas/skills and experience roles within the production of a factual project. Students will conduct research, planning and assume a specific role as part of a production team during the making of a factual production.

    TRUR1191
    Self-directed Production

    This module brings together all of the creative and organisational skills and techniques developed throughout the course. It provides the opportunity for a self-directed brief to create a production in the medium of your choice.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    TRUR2183
    Advanced Contextual Studies

    Development of critical thinking in relation to art practices will be explored and knowledge, understanding and skills will be developed to analyse, research and discuss contextual art practices in relation to creative productions. Students will develop an understanding of our current digital environment and post-modernism.

    TRUR2184
    Content Creation

    This module will further develop skills in a range of design and digital technology. It enables the student to explore different approaches to content generation for online zines, books, websites, blogs. The students will work with industry standard software and hardware and produce content of their choice using at least one of these digital platforms.

    TRUR2185
    Promotion and Exhibition

    This module introduces the opportunity for students present their work to a wider audience. Students will be encouraged to produce a portfolio of images/films that are suitable to present in a professional capacity. Students will also explore potential exhibition opportunities appropriate to their practice.

    TRUR2186
    Professional Engagement

    This module introduces the opportunity for students to produce work for a specific purpose either through a work placement or a simulation of self-employment. This can include working for an employer brief, a competition or for a festival. Students will conduct research for the project, put together a proposal which meets the requirements of the brief and complete the production in their chosen medium.

    TRUR2187
    Showcase Production

    Students will be required to create a self-initiated body of work and prepare for a showcase that can reach a public audience. The work created should reflect the students own interests within creative media and photography and demonstrate a self-initiated project in a professional manner. Students will consider how to contribute and promote a group showcase.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Our partnership with Truro and Penwith College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Truro and Penwith College

We’re one of the leading colleges in the country, delivering teaching and learning to the highest level. With three modern campuses at Truro, Penwith (at Penzance) and Tregye, we provide you with a unique university experience.
Plymouth students working on a group project