NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Photography

Vocational qualifications are either work-related qualifications designed to enable students to gain the skills required to perform a particular job, or qualifications that may be taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.

Schools and colleges may offer qualifications that are not included in the DfE performance tables, if approved for teaching to 16-19 year olds by the Secretary of State for Education in England under Section 96, where this is in the best interests of individual students.

This Level 3 qualification is designed for students who want to further develop their photography knowledge and skills and develops students’ knowledge, skills and understanding in areas such as camera techniques, image processing and manipulation, history of photography and styles of photography such as portrait, location and documentary.

It is the substantial qualification component of the study programme and aims to help students develop the skills and understanding required to work in the sector or to undertake further learning.

Students will develop generic, transferable skills valued by employers, such as communication, planning and health and safety principles.

They will also research job opportunities or freelance options and assess their strengths in areas such as positive attitude, punctuality and self-motivation.

In addition, the requirement to complete optional units means that students are able to develop more specialist knowledge and skills in particular areas. For those who wish to study at a higher level, the qualifications will enable them to develop higher level learning skills such as independent working, research, self-reflection and collaborative learning.

The qualification has been endorsed by the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).