MA Photography
Our interdisciplinary 18-month MA Photography programme—a transformative journey of advanced study crafted to enhance your research prowess, nurture a compelling visual communication style, and enable specialisation within your chosen discipline.
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Programme Overview
Berlin School of Business and Innovation is in partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). As a result of this partnership, BSBI is able to offer the MA Photography programme. UCA is an acclaimed creative institution in the UK that ranks highly in all three of the major UK league tables. The university ranked 13th out of all UK universities in the Guardian League Table 2020 and ranked seventh in the 2021 Guardian League Tables for Business, Management & Marketing.
Our photography master’s programme is designed to guide you in cultivating the essential skills to become a proficient photographer within your chosen specialisation.
Collaborating with fellow students from diverse creative disciplines, such as film, gaming and graphic design, you’ll have the opportunity to construct a dynamic portfolio that mirrors your distinct interests and aspirations as a photographer.
- Editorial and Fashion Photography
- Advertising Image Creation
- Documentary-Making
- Curation or Art Buying
- Gallery or Project Management
- Writing
- Teaching
- Lecturing
- Retouching
- Art Direction
- Graphic Design
- Academia/Research
- Post-Production/Digital Imaging
- Digital Imaging
- Video Editing
- Picture Editing/Image Management
- Marketing
- Arts Management
- Documentary/Fine Art Photography
Seize the opportunity to explore and thrive in diverse professional arenas as you hone your photography skills.
This programme is tailored for:
- Individuals with a passion for photography, whether just starting their journey or seeking advanced skills to refine their craft.
- Photographers looking to expand their creative horizons and take their skills to the next level, incorporating innovative techniques and concepts.
- Individuals keen on diving into the dynamic world of photography, gaining insights into industry trends and building a strong foundation for a successful career.
- Those who aspire to tell compelling stories through the lens, whether it’s in the realms of fine art, fashion, advertising, or documentary photography.
- Individuals interested in establishing themselves as freelance photographers or entrepreneurs in the photography industry.
- Those with a keen interest in gallery administration, arts management, and curating within the realm of visual arts.
- Individuals with a fascination for digital imaging, post-production, and the technical aspects of photography careers.
Programme Fee
Hamburg: Feb, Oct
Special offers effective until 31 December 2025: Up to 25% discount for international students | 15% discount for EU students
2025: February/October: International students Price: €13,250 | EU students Price: €8,450
Price 2026: €13.920 (International and EU)
Check out our offers. Find out more here.
Terms and conditions apply.
The school’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.
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Programme Structure
This 18-month (Level 7) MA Photography programme consists of three terms of study and six months dedicated to your dissertation.
The first two terms include a range of lectures and seminars and you’ll start to explore your creative practice to inform the detailed development of your project proposal later in the course.
In the third term you begin developing your MA project, evaluating and testing out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study.
The modules of this programme are offered and delivered 100% on campus.
Modules
Critical Perspective
Exploratory Perspective
Research and Development
Resolution and Presentation
Defining Your Practice
The unit aims to provide a structured framework to allow you to investigate the potential of methods, ideas and themes in your discipline as well as helping inform and locate your practice.
Context and Method
Through a series of lectures and seminars, you’ll actively engage in a range of current debates, which provide cultural and intellectual context for the consideration of ideas in visual communication.
The programme addresses interdisciplinary issues through the discussion of theory and the consideration of specific design-led work and texts.
Project Development
In this unit, you will develop the themes and focus of your final project in the fields of illustration, graphic design, animation or visual communication. This will allow you to evaluate and test out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study. At this stage, the development of your project will be guided and questioned through tutorials, group critiques and presentations, which will support the progress of your work and provide rigorous critical appraisal from staff, peers and professional practitioners. While encouraging the continued exploration and questioning of your ideas, you will continue the process of developing appropriate methods and strategies for your project’s realisation as you begin to work more independently as a researcher and practitioner, refining your research questions and the research methods you are using.
Realisation and Dissemination
You’ll apply knowledge and experience gained in previous units to the realisation of your final MA project – the culmination and consolidation of your studies in the form of a resolved piece, or body of work. It should show coherence and innovation at a professional level of resolution. You’ll also be required to prepare a critical paper intended to reflect upon the specific practical outcome of the MA project, its interpretation and its success as a demonstration of your approach to creative practice through research.
Study in
Hamburg
- Delivery: On campus
- Duration: 18 months
- Intakes: February, October
- Campus: Hamburg, Germany
- Degree awarded by University for the Creative Arts (UCA)
- Price 2025: February/October: €13,250 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
- Price 2026: €13.920 (International and EU)
The school’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement
Learning Outcomes
Experimentation & Innovation
In this aspect of our photography master’s programme, you will develop a heightened awareness of contemporary theoretical debates that have significantly influenced current photographic practices. Through critical analysis, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to identify and engage with these debates, showcasing a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of photography. Building upon the foundation of LO1, you will critically articulate a specialist area of photographic practice, utilising thorough research and analysis. This outcome encourages you to delve deep into your chosen field, establishing a nuanced understanding of the theoretical underpinnings that shape your specialised practice.
Engaging with Practice
This learning outcome focuses on establishing a strong connection between research, theory and practical application. Showcase your appreciation for the intricate relationships between these elements, demonstrating critical engagement. Apply technical skills and creative choices to produce a compelling body of work that effectively communicates with your intended audience. This extended outcome emphasises the practical application of technical skills and creative choices. Showcase your ability to not only produce a body of work but to do so with a keen awareness of your audience. Effectively communicate your artistic vision through thoughtful engagement with the technical aspects of photography.
Research & Analysis
In the research and analysis component, you will learn to construct a robust research framework that underpins and explores the contexts of your work, both practically and theoretically. Identify theoretical sources and demonstrate an understanding of contemporary and historical-critical frameworks that inform your research interests. This outcome emphasises your ability to evidence a range of research-informed photographic approaches, employing creative conceptual strategies to enrich your work. Taking research and analysis to a higher level, this outcome requires you to evidence a broader range of research-informed photographic approaches. Demonstrate your proficiency in employing creative conceptual strategies, showcasing a well-rounded and informed approach to your photographic endeavours.
Career Progression
Our advanced Photography degree programme equips you for your professional journey by integrating practical experience units, guest lectures by accomplished artists, and comprehensive portfolio assessments conducted by prominent individuals in the photography sector. Potential photography careers encompass::
- Freelance photography
- Fine art
- Fashion
- Advertising and editorial
- Post-production/digital imaging
- Picture editing and research
- Curating
- Image, arts and community arts management
- Gallery administration
BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps photography students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers.
Minimum Age: 21
Academic Qualifications
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
- Consideration will also be given to applicants with a minimum of three years of relevant managerial experience, demonstrating an ability to study at postgraduate level.
If you do not meet the academic requirements, you may be assessed based on three years of relevant work experience (illustration, animation, graphic design or general visual communication), demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
English Requirements
Access the Proof of English Guide (UCA) here.
You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:
- Create an account here
- Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
- Complete all sections of the online application
- Submit online application
- Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps
Computer Equipment
In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. Therefore, we recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement.
Your Portfolio Submission
You are required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook.
What is a Portfolio?
- Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique, creative individual.
What Should My Portfolio Contain?
- Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and designs. It might also contain sound work and short films.
- Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.
How Do I Submit My Portfolio?
- We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
- You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.
Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.
Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination by clicking here
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