The Scheme
Who is Eligible?
What are the Career Progression Opportunities?
What is the Course Duration?
When Does the Course Start?
How is the Course Organised?
What are the Costs?
Further Information

Unit Summaries and Assignments
Click here for unit summaries, descriptions and access to assignments

• Is designed to meet the needs of high-achieving work-based full or part-time photographers.
  
  
• Takes account of different patterns of work in the business of photography.
  
  
• Comprises units which can be taken and accredited separately, assessed through centre-set assignments, to meet the needs of the individual.
  
  
• Provides the opportunity to acquire professional and management skills, both in the craft of photography and in related business practices.
  
  
• Includes a range of options to provide the opportunity for research and experimentation.
  
  
• Encourages evaluation of the varied roles and skills in the photographic industry, enabling the photographer to plan and select an individual career pathway.
  
  
• Is delivered through the internet by practising photographers and experienced lecturers in the form of tutorials supported by 'live' seminars. Candidates send work by email, and receive assessment, feedback and guidance in the same way. Candidates have unlimited email and telephone access to their personal tutor.
   

• Advertising Photography
• Corporate Photography (previously known as Industrial & Commercial Photography)
• Medical/Scientific/Forensic Photography
• Reportage and Photojournalism
• Social and Portrait Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Specialist Photography (e.g. research, holography, etc)
• Photographic Education
• Management of Photographic Businesses/Units
   

Regular Tutorials
Regular Tutorials, published on the course website and available only to registered students via a password, are accompanied by assignments, usually on a monthly basis. The tutorials give instruction and guidance related to one or more of the 4448 units, and offer references and research sources, often through website hot links. Assignments are targeted not only at relevant units, but also at individual students' specialisations, so that those, for instance specialising in wedding and portrait work, are not expected to carry out assignments in a different sphere of photography.
 
Set Deadlines
At the time of issuing of the assignments, a deadline is set, and assessment outcomes are specified so that students know exactly what is required.
 
Constructive Feedback
Student responses to assignments are assessed, a mark is awarded, and constructive feedback is given online, usually within 48 hours of the the tutor receiving the student's work. An action plan is included in the tutor's response, offering guidance regarding future work, research and, where appropriate, work experience.
 
Monitoring assessments
At the end of each three-month period, a monitoring assessment is carried out and a quarterly action plan formulated, so that students are always aware of their individual situation regarding the course objectives.
 
Qualified Assessors
Assessment is always carried out by qualified assessors; their work is checked by an 'Internal Moderator', with the course as a whole being examined continuously by a City & Guilds-appointed independent External Moderator. This sequence ensures the highest standards of quality control throughout the delivery of the course and the assessment of students' progress. It also ensures that, should any student find themselves in disagreement with the tutors (on a matter of assessment, for instance), the Internal and External Moderators provide an independent appeal and arbitration process.
 
As students gather a body of work and build their folio throughout the course, their contribution towards the completion of the Units is monitored, and any gaps filled with specially-written assignments, until all the course requirements are met, and certification requested through the normal City & Guilds channels.