Courses and Qualifications

MadFrankie

MadFrankie

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Name
Gary
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I'm thinking of taking a photography course to help improve my skills, push me creatively and gain some qualification...

My problem is that it need to be part time, as I work, so I'm thinking an online course would be good. I'm happy to pay for it but would expect a meaningful qualification at the end, not a certificate from 'Tim's toggers' (sorry if that actually exists!)

Has anyone been on photography courses they could recommend???
 
Have a look here http://www.oca-uk.com/distance-learning/photography-1-art-of-photography

I think if you do 7 out of the 8 available modules you get a degree but you can do them as stand alone modules to enhance your skills and knowledge.

All distance learning and not too expensive. They give you up to 2 years to complete a Module but talking to them at the Focus show 7-8 hours per week will get them done in 9 months.
 
There may be a college near you that offers City & Guild Photography courses as an evening class. I did C&G Level 2 last year at my local college.
 
MadFrankie said:
I'm thinking of taking a photography course to help improve my skills, push me creatively and gain some qualification...

My problem is that it need to be part time, as I work, so I'm thinking an online course would be good. I'm happy to pay for it but would expect a meaningful qualification at the end, not a certificate from 'Tim's toggers' (sorry if that actually exists!)

Has anyone been on photography courses they could recommend???
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Hey Gary, i'm actually on the OCA course that K9simon mentioned. You take it at your own pace, go as far as you want and if you do decide to go all the way through the 8 courses you can gain a BA in Creative Arts (They're working on getting this changed to BA Photography, so fingers crossed). Along the way you gain a certificate (after 3 courses) a diploma (6 courses) and then finally the degree. So far, from what i've seen it seems pretty comprehensive and it definately tests you. In fact today i'm setting out on a 1 hour 30 walk just to get some landscape shots for it.

Have a look into it mate, if you have any questions fire away, i'll do my best.

Rich
 
RichM said:
Hey Gary, i'm actually on the OCA course that K9simon mentioned. You take it at your own pace, go as far as you want and if you do decide to go all the way through the 8 courses you can gain a BA in Creative Arts (They're working on getting this changed to BA Photography, so fingers crossed). Along the way you gain a certificate (after 3 courses) a diploma (6 courses) and then finally the degree. So far, from what i've seen it seems pretty comprehensive and it definately tests you. In fact today i'm setting out on a 1 hour 30 walk just to get some landscape shots for it.

Have a look into it mate, if you have any questions fire away, i'll do my best.

Rich
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Are you paying £595 for each course?
 
Hey there :)

Just wanted to mention that I also want to gain some form of qualification and knowledge but it would almost certainly have to be online...

found this website...

http://www.thephotographyinstitute.co.uk

Wondering if its an actual degree or just a degree level course?..

Bry
 
RichM said:
Hey Gary, i'm actually on the OCA course that K9simon mentioned. You take it at your own pace, go as far as you want and if you do decide to go all the way through the 8 courses you can gain a BA in Creative Arts (They're working on getting this changed to BA Photography, so fingers crossed). Along the way you gain a certificate (after 3 courses) a diploma (6 courses) and then finally the degree. So far, from what i've seen it seems pretty comprehensive and it definately tests you. In fact today i'm setting out on a 1 hour 30 walk just to get some landscape shots for it.

Have a look into it mate, if you have any questions fire away, i'll do my best.

Rich
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That's really great of you, thanks for the offer. I was actually wondering about the certification and number of courses so that's answered one question. I'm off to visit a client now so I'll have a in depth look later and fire you some questions if you don't mind!
 
Picked up a form for the OCA yesterday having previously considered it. Had a good look around the course/training options at focus but only found university of Gloucester near me (who for some reason had a bedsit stand and were all in pyjamas - WTF:cuckoo:). Nothing about their course!

So distance learning looks good for me too.
 
In 2 weeks time, I am starting a Introduction to Digital Photography course at my local college. The cost is not that bad (I don't think anyway) and if I enjoy it I have the option to continue on to the intermediate and advanced courses.
I had looked into the Photography Institute online course but opted for the college based course as I think it will motivate me more!
 
<slaps wrist>

That will teach me to not click on links!

Althought it does help make a point, they both look simialr, yet aren't the same, and I don't know if either are official or worth doing...

It's a minefield!
 
Gem said:
In 2 weeks time, I am starting a Introduction to Digital Photography course at my local college. The cost is not that bad (I don't think anyway) and if I enjoy it I have the option to continue on to the intermediate and advanced courses.
I had looked into the Photography Institute online course but opted for the college based course as I think it will motivate me more!
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Whereabout are you doing your courseand how much is it?
Also the Mrs has asked me to ask you what Nursery you work at in Edinburgh as she is a Deputy Manager at one, but she has worked at a few in Edinburgh.
 
stupar said:
Whereabout are you doing your courseand how much is it?
Also the Mrs has asked me to ask you what Nursery you work at in Edinburgh as she is a Deputy Manager at one, but she has worked at a few in Edinburgh.
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I am doing the course at Telford College, it was £140 for the course starting on 24th March. I think they run the courses 3 times a year.

I work for Edinburgh Uni just now. I have been there for 8 years now and hoping to be there for a long time to come as well!!
 
Gem said:
I am doing the course at Telford College, it was £140 for the course starting on 24th March. I think they run the courses 3 times a year.
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Cool thanks!
Will keep a note of this.
 
Byker28i said:
Picked up a form for the OCA yesterday having previously considered it. Had a good look around the course/training options at focus but only found university of Gloucester near me (who for some reason had a bedsit stand and were all in pyjamas - WTF:cuckoo:). Nothing about their course!

So distance learning looks good for me too.
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Saw that yesterday...there were some (student?) portfolios on teh bed but didn't make me think WOW, or even wow. The units around the back were appallingly lit...
 
I'm doing the NCFE at a local college - level one is about 20 weeks of 3 hours once a week, lots of projects, investigating and emulating styles of famous photographers, visits to galleries, and we are having an exhibition in may (!!!) and a final course project which we have to 'present'.

Its certainly given me a much broader outlook on photography as a whole, given me inspiration, and without doubt challenged me!

Our tutor isn't exactly what I'd hoped for - but he's knowledgeable, experienced and approachable.

I also considered the Open University courses - have a look on their website - you can use tesco vouchers to pay for it, but sadly you don't meet your classmates.
 
HopefulM said:
I also considered the Open University courses - have a look on their website - you can use tesco vouchers to pay for it, but sadly you don't meet your classmates.
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The OU photography course didn't get a particularly great write up when I considered signing up for it, so I didn't bother. Someone mentioned something along the lines of "you get just the same feedback posting on flickr, and that costs nothing".

IIRC, the OU Photography course is only a short course worth 10 points, and I don't think there's anything else they do that is photography based to make up anything like close to the points you'd need for a degree.

Some courses do have tutorials where you get to meet your fellow students, but I got the impression that wasn't the case for the photography course.
 
Hi, check out www.dmcphotographycollege.com. They do online courses which are accredited. A friend of mine did one, and based on his advice I enrolled recently. The course is excellent, and is not as expensive as some of the other courses out there. The tutors are professional photographers, and they are extremly helpful.
 
What does 'diploma' mean when it is being given by a private organisation rather than a public one? I like the sound of some of courses. They really sound like they get you thinking about photography in a different way and put some structure around your growth in this subject. However, I am also aware that there are plenty of dodgy organisations who claim to provide all of these benefits but are really just a sham.

How do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Is there a recognised award/certification scheme that one can work towards?

Cheers,
dub
 
Sorry i read the info on the institute of photography page and it does show who they are accredited by. I am keen to do a course i can eventually turn in to a degree. Is the open college of arts one the only one that can do that?
 
dubcat said:
What does 'diploma' mean when it is being given by a private organisation rather than a public one? I like the sound of some of courses. They really sound like they get you thinking about photography in a different way and put some structure around your growth in this subject. However, I am also aware that there are plenty of dodgy organisations who claim to provide all of these benefits but are really just a sham.

How do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Is there a recognised award/certification scheme that one can work towards?

Cheers,
dub
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Exactly my conundrum!

I'm happy to pay for a qualification that means something but I fear I won't know if it means something until I've got it and either people go

<positive> oh wow, you've got that qualification

or

<negative> oh dear, you've got that qualification
 
Thanks to those of you who have given information about the OCA course. It looks really interesting, and I've just sent them an email requesting a brochure.
 
My advice to anyone looking at a course is to find out who is providing the accreditation - anything seriously worth its salt offering vocational training should have Skillset mentioned somewhere. Failing that look for university affiliations - especially if it is an arts based course.

Just looked at the OCA assessment information - they look pretty sound and modules are assessed at the same level as traditional university courses (if going to do the full degree) Anyone thinking of using these as stepping stones towards a degree should only look at Level 2 units as they appear to be the transferable ones (across institutions). The moment you start level 3 stuff you have to stick with the accrediting university (New Bucks in this case) as it is through these units that your degree will be assessed.
 
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