CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1.1 Course Outline 1 1.2 Introduction ...

understand and demonstrate practical application of career management skills necessary for
successful progression and development through university and transition from university. The
module includes a work placement component to give students experience of the commercial
world of imaging. Recently students have found a diverse range of placements: examples include
the Research and Development Department at Kodak, the medical imaging department at Great
Ormond Street Hospital, photographic assisting work in studios and on location and digital
retouching work for an advertising agency.
The course is taught mainly by members of the Imaging Technology Research Group (ITRG), who
also teach on the postgraduate (MSc) course. The ITRG has achieved high national and
international recognition through contributions of papers to international symposia and refereed
learned journals.
1.5 Professional Body Accreditation
The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) offers professional Imaging Science Qualifications at
various levels. A graduate of the course, who is a member of the RPS or who has applied for
membership, with one year’s appropriate experience after graduation may be awarded the
professional qualification of Graduate Imaging Scientist, Associate of the Royal Photographic
Society. A distinction of the RPS, Licentiateship or Associateship may be gained immediately on
graduation.
The British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) may also award Licentiateship to
graduates of the course.
2. Course Structure and Routes
2.1 Modules, structure and value
Courses at the University of Westminster are based on a modular system, with the academic year
divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from September to January, with a feedback
week at the end of January. The second semester begins in January and continues until the
assessment period in May. Most modules are completed in a single semester; however there is
only one assessment period, at the end of semester 2.
Modules are designed in various different ways – the majority of modules are one semester long,
with three hours timetabled per week, and these are worth 15 credits.
In some subject areas, particularly in practice modules offered as free modules by the other
photography courses in the school, modules are offered in ‘short, fat’ half-semester blocks, with
double the amount of hours timetabled per week. This structure allows for focused project-based
practical work. Again these modules are worth 15 credits.
There are also a number of 15 credit modules which are run in ‘long-thin’ mode. Examples of
these are the Career Management Skills module and the Commercial Photography Practice
module taught in year two. These modules are run throughout the year but are scheduled on
alternate weeks. The amount of work remains the same but because teaching is extended over a
longer time, it allows students time for reflection and development of ideas, which is key in both
of these subject areas.
Finally, there are some modules which are worth 30 credits. These are mainly the core modules
in the first and second years. This structure allows intensive study of core subjects, allowing
important cross-linking of theory in diverse subject areas and a substantial practical component,
important at this stage in the course. There is an additional photography double module in the
third year to allow in-depth study at an advanced level.
The final project is worth 45 credits, the equivalent of three single modules. This is a focused
piece of specialised work at the end of the course, in which the student is able to explore a
subject of interest and preferably of relevance to their future career. It is expected that the
DPI_Hbook 4 ©University of Westminster