Derby university

Danger_Mouse

Danger_Mouse

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wayne
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Hi,

Im currently studying a HND at Northampton university, but find that its not aimed at the type of photography i like....its a more arts based course.

I have found the University of Derby's course (link)

does anyone know anything about it?

what is there equipment like? the tutors? connections with professionals? ect.

Thank you
DM
 
I'm contemplating their commercial photography degree too, looks like it's pretty practical... I'm popping over to their open day this week, will let you know what I think.

Their website has some pretty underwhelming examples for 'graduate projects' but also some very good work, which suggests to me that there's quite a wide spread of abilites even at the end of the course...we'll see :)

Their studio space looks (from the photos) pretty unadvanced (no huge infinity cove) but perfectly functional, there's business modules, and the trips sound quite cool and there are some very good photos on the site - as you'd hope really :P

I'll update after the open day on friday - unless you're going too?
 
I've got a strage feeling that the chairman of the camera club I go to is a lecturer there? Nice enough bloke, do you want me to see if he does teach photography there and pass you his details?
 
hmm, I'll see what I think of the place first before anything like that I think...cheers for the offer :)
 
My sister studied at derby (iirc graduated in 2002/2003).

She had alot of fun, but also worked hard, she really enjoyed the course the quality of the lecturers etc.. iirc it had a very good reputation which is why she went there.

She also still works as a photographer (how many people can say that regarding their degree I wonder)

Without looking at the site, are the photography bits of the uni still in an old building by the river, the bloody doors were heavy :D
 
Don't know an awful lot about the the Uni or the course, but If you end up going and want any advice about the city itself, let me know.
 
My daughter is at Newport doing the documentary photography course. When we were looking at courses this was one she considered but decided against it, she also looked at Gloucester as they do similar documentary based courses.
 
OK, just got back from Derby open day...

They offer 2 BA photo courses, photography, and commercial photography.

Photography is a more...arty course, there's some photo critique in there, photo history and the like, and by the sounds more film photography as well. The combination of these features did fairly well to put me off it (as I expected) I must admit.

The commercial photography degree however, is pretty hands on...the first year is both film and digital but 2nd and 3rd years are a lot more flexible. It struck me as being a very good course, covering not only the photography but the business and legal sides of professional commercial photography. Mark, who wrote the course, struck me as being really on the ball, and he indeed still works as a commercial and advertising photographer.

The facilities... not the world's largest studio space, and in the dedicated photo studio space no infinity cove, but a decent size room with 3 distinct setups in it, but well equipped with lots of flags and reflector boards, hi glide system with a load of bowens lights, and some continuous lights too. Still life table and plenty of white walls, light boom etc :)
There's also a dual duty video / photo cove room with continuous lighting rigged, all very nice :)
There's a really decent size media store which is operated on a library system, and has plenty of portable lighting kits, a wide range of cameras, inc digital medium format 'blads :D There's dedicated technicians etc to help as well.
Darkroom facilities are doubtless excellent (I wouldn't know what to look for :P ), 2 b+w darkrooms, montage / large print rooms, colour labs and printer, cascade system for washing negatives etc.
Loads of mac and pc suites, video edit suites etc.

As for the location itself, it's in a shiny 2 year old building a short distance away from the main uni, loads of student-y houses nearby and what looks like a new private halls being built pretty much next door. Loads of parks and greenery around too, it's pretty nice, though there's also quite a lot of industry and dereliction around some parts of derby too - great 'urban' locations :P
 
Sounds awesome Dave, I wonder if I could find a sponsor so I could give up work for 3 years and go hang out in the darkroom:shrug:

Have you looked into the courses at De Montford or however it's spelled in Leicester?
 
Hi dave,
been a while since i checked back on this thread....been looking at courses and forgot i put this here.

I did go and have a look round, looks like a decent place and as you said "head screwed on" tutors.

Lots of nice equipment too :D

It does look better than Northampton for equipment and the course sounds just what im after, i need to look into Leicester and Nottingham too ***.

do you think you will be applying? and what year will you bi in, first i take it? im looking at joining the 3rd year.

KEV: get a student loan and come join us!
 
I'd be applying to direct second year direct entry, and hoping that my current shooting is acceptable for that...

I dunno.... it's all hard really...lots of biiig decisions, existential crises, and wondering if a uni course is the way to go... I'm currently contemplating this course, york or leeds for tv/film production.... or just continuing, launching as freelance over this christmas and carrying on working. therefore, the question pretty much is if doing this course is more beneficial than working


aaargh >_<
 
i have the same problem, im doing a HND at the moment and was thinking about leaving it as that and to start working.

but for a extra year i can get degree...

..i have found funding for setting up a business while at uni (in my local area) so think i will stay here and set up a business but commute to derby for the course as i think i will get more confidence out of it.
 
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