Skip to main content

UAL Level 2 Award and Certificate in Photography

The UAL Level 2 Award and Certificate in Photography has been designed to provide students with an exciting and challenging experience, which will introduce them to the rigours and rewards of exploring and working within these creative activities.

The qualifications, whilst allowing learners to build on prior experience, will require them to approach new intellectual and material challenges, designed to deliver an independent critical understanding and extended skills base.

These qualifications form part of our 'Creative Framework' suite of qualifications and have been designed and written by a team of practitioners working in the sector.

Contact

To find out more about the academic content of this qualification please contact academic.awarding@arts.ac.uk.

For all non-academic enquiries please choose an appropriate department via our About Us page.

Photography studio with female model in a dress and two photographers
London College of Fashion photography studio. Copyright Elaine Perks.

Qualifications at a glance

Please note that public funding for the Level 2 Award and Certificate in Photography was removed in England from August 2022. Additionally, the Level 2 Certificate in Photography is no longer designated in Wales. Centres in both England and Wales can still register learners onto these qualifications without public funding.

To find out about alternate funded options for this area of study, please contact qualdev.awarding@arts.ac.uk.

From 2025/26, we made an important change to the way our Level 2 and Level 3 Awards and Certificates in Photography are presented. To improve clarity and reduce confusion for centres, learners and regulators, we have separated these qualifications into distinct Level 2 and Level 3 specifications.

The unit numbers for Level 2 qualifications will remain the same. However, Level 3 units have been renumbered to align with the new standalone specification. These changes will not impact current delivery or certification.

Award

  • Level - 2
  • Units - 2
  • TQT Hours - 100
  • GLH - 60
  • Typical course duration - 6 to 8 weeks
  • UCAS points (Pass/Merit/Distinction) -  N/A
  • QAN - 500/9675/8
  • Typical progression - Employment in the creative sector including; animation, architecture, art practice, design, film and communication industries.

Certificate

  • Level - 2
  • Units - 4
  • TQT Hours - 200
  • GLH - 120
  • Typical course duration - 1 year
  • UCAS points (Pass/Merit/Distinction) -  N/A
  • QAN - 500/9671/0
  • Typical progression - Employment in the creative sector including; animation, architecture, art practice, design, film and communication industries.

Specification and documents

UAL Level 2 Award and Certificate in Photography specification (PDF 4.1MB)

UAL Level 2 and 3 Award and Certificate in Photography specification - Welsh language (PDF 1.3MB)

Stakeholder support

This qualification has been developed in collaboration with subject practitioners and further education colleges to ensure that it provides learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to prepare learners for employment and/or support a role in the workplace.

Working with us

Interested in delivering the UAL Level 2 Award and Certificate in Photography?

Visit the Working with us page for information on the approval process for new and existing centres.