This fast-paced full-time course combines the study of hands-on practical photography, research skills, business studies and academic writing. Successful completion can take you either into the industry as a freelance photographer/photographic assistant or onto further study in Higher education.
The course uses a vocational focus to write projects that are designed to reflect contemporary photographic industry. You will work within the specialist areas of editorial, portraiture, events and photojournalism. Towards the end of the course you will be able to choose your own pathway and create a final body of work towards this chosen specialism.
The course includes 35mm SLR and DSLR, medium format film and digital cameras, studio photography, studio lighting, large format cameras, colour and black and white darkroom printing, scanning negatives, professional quality inkjet printing, advanced Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom and Capture.
You will also study contextual references, critical analysis, key theoretical concepts and the work of other photographers. This on-going work is evidenced using sketchbooks and a final critical study essay. Business practice and copyright is taught along the way and evidenced in the production of your final portfolio, exhibition work, self-promotional materials, website/blog, business stationary and folder of supporting evidence including summary of a work experience placement.
Along side a rolling programme of guest talks and off site gallery/museum visits we often bring in some of our many successful ex students to deliver talks and workshops.
The intensive course culminates in a Final Major Project where you will write and realise your own project. This work is then exhibited in the 'Free Range’ shows at Brick Lane in East London. This offers graduating students an opportunity to promote their work and help launch their career into the photographic industry. The final exhibition is supported and partly funded by the college, but you will need to contribute to the costs, this usually amounts to approximately £130 per student.
For the past 9 years our students have exhibited work as part of the Free Range exhibition season of graduate shows.
Ex-City of Westminster College Higher National Certificate Photography student Edurne Aguinaga has been shortlisted for the prestigious World Photography Organisation's Sony World Photography Awards 2013 in the Professional Competition Category. To read her interview on the World Photography Organisation's website click here.
Energy to commit to a fast paced 1 year HNC course which includes theory, business and practice. Entry onto the course is by interview. You will need to bring with you some examples of your work that you would like to talk about. An academic or employer reference would be useful. Ideally you will have the minimum of 1 subject related A level or the equivalent level 3 vocational qualification (National Diploma in Photography, Foundation Diploma etc.).
If you don’t think that you have the right qualifications, but think this is the right course for you, then apply or come along to the college to see how we can support you. You can contact the course leader directly on diane.bielik@cwc.ac.uk
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
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“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
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“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
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“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
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