Professional development and short courses
- We offer a range of professional development courses.
- Find out more
Griffith Online
- Our online degrees are delivered 100% online, giving you control over where and when you study.
- Study 100% online
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Focus on turning your interest into a career
Picture yourself as a photojournalist? Want to work in creative advertising or practice as a fine artist? Looking to earn a living through your eye for a great image? A photography degree from Griffith will develop your artistic, academic or professional aspirations. Photography is a pervasive visual element utilised in journalism, social media, web design, cinema, fine art, fashion and advertising. Our program prepares students for a professional career, teaching you what it takes to make it as a photographer, how to get the perfect shot and giving you insights on turning a creative passion into a rewarding business.
Study photography at Griffith
Preparing you to capture the moment
Learn about the craft, processes and ethics of photography, as you establish your individual photographic style and vision. Study in a creative, collaborative environment with access to digital and analogue facilities. In your first year, you’ll develop your practical expertise and conceptual skills. Combine photographic courses, studio practice and art theory before focusing on one of these majors in your second and third years:
- Creative advertising photography
- Photographic art practice
- Photojournalism and documentary practice
Practical experience
Work on projects for real clients through our LiveImage work-integrated learning program. Take up exciting work placements to build your portfolio and cultivate important industry contacts and networks. Get professional publishing experience through The Argus, a non-profit, student-run, visual journalism magazine; or join the editorial board of the Australian Photojournalist, an annual journal showcasing the works of significant journalists, writers and academics.
Partner institutions
Griffith students have access to artist residencies, exhibitions and culture exchanges, thanks to our close ties with Shandong University of Art and Design and Crane Arts Philadelphia.
Exhibitions and artist talks
Attend on-campus exhibitions, guest lectures, master classes and artist talks. Exhibit and sell your work in our Queensland College of Art galleries.
Elise Searson
For Elise Searson, studying at the Queensland College of Art has guided her from ‘just taking photos’ to becoming passionate about making stories through mixed media. During her studies, Elise documented the life of Karen New who has suffered from chronic Lyme disease for 25 years — a disease some medical professionals say is non-existent in Australia. She even followed Karen on her journey to Malaysia for radical hyperthermia treatment as a last ditch attempt at a cure. What followed was a confronting yet moving experience; one Elise says will stay with her for many years to come.
Study options
| Degrees | Campus | OP rank |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Photography | South Bank | 14 |
| Bachelor of Photography (Honours) | South Bank | |
| Doctor of Visual Arts | South Bank | |
| Graduate Certificate in Visual Arts | South Bank | |
| Master of Arts in Visual Arts | South Bank | |
| Master of Visual Arts | South Bank |
It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.
Career outcomes
Graduate with essential skills and industry connections
As a Griffith photography graduate, you’ll know how to use visual media in all its forms
You’ll also be equipped with the ethical skills vital to earning trust and respect over the course of your career. You’ll be prepared to work anywhere in the world in:
- Advertising and design
- Fine art
- News
- Photojournalism
- Documentary photography
Our graduates win international accolades for their creativity, motivation and professional approach. Many find employment in photographic sales, as technicians, in the education sector, and as freelance photographers. Others establish commercial photography or multimedia businesses. You may also have opportunities for representation with fine art galleries or be commissioned by government, non-profit or non-governmental organisations and human rights sectors.
Visual and creative arts brochure
Life at Griffith
You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.
August 21, 2017
Griffith named top creative arts school in Australia
Read more about Griffith named top creative arts school in Australia
Key dates
Monday 3 July — Saturday 14 October
Trimester 2
Our second trimester starts on Monday 3 July. Trimester 2 examinations run from Saturday 30 September to Saturday 14 October.
Monday 18 September — Friday 29 September
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more.
Tuesday 26 September — Wednesday 27 September
Twilight tours - Gold Coast & Nathan
Take a guided tour of our Gold Coast and Nathan campuses and find out more about life at Griffith. Book now.
Monday 30 October — Saturday 17 February
Trimester 3
Our third trimester starts on Monday 30 October. Trimester 3 examinations run from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 February 2018.
Learn more about studying in Trimester 3.
Wednesday 15 November
Postgraduate Information Evening - South Bank
Join Griffith University for a postgraduate information evening and talk to our staff and students about how a postgraduate degree can help you achieve your career goals.
Wednesday 22 November
Postgraduate Information Evening - Gold Coast
Join Griffith University for a postgraduate information evening and talk to our staff and students about how a postgraduate degree can help you achieve your career goals.
Saturday 16 December — Friday 22 December
Know Your Options
Chat online with our expert study advisers after you have received your entry score, to discuss your study options. Find out about pathways, entry requirements and program options, plus what you can do if your score was higher or lower than expected.