Master of Photography
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$23,040 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne City
Overview
The Master of Photography is a postgraduate professional practice degree specialising in photography.
The Master of Photography is designed to meet the needs of professional photographers, artists and creative industry professionals to advance their conceptual and creative skills and enliven their photographic practice. It is the only Master of Photography program in Australia.
The role of the photographer within the arts and creative industries is evolving, particularly in relation to imaging technologies and emerging media devices, their impact on society and use in photography.
In this program you will explore photography through studio based learning and independent research, offering a rigorous and dynamic environment through which to realise your creative ambitions.
You will have access to a creative environment facilitated by hands-on practical experience, one-on-one academic guidance, and the support of a community of peers.
Through the development of an autonomous practice, you will demonstrate expert judgment in analysing and applying specific photographic theories, traditional practices and new technologies. The capstone experience of this program is a self-initiated, major photographic project that is publically presented for critical review.
Graduates will be prepared for a career in photography as adaptable expert practitioners and scholars who are able to provide insight and leadership to research, produce and transmit photographic images and knowledge to a globalised media economy.
Details
You will have access to a range of specialised photographic facilities to support your area of practice; including shooting studios, professional capture equipment, post production editing facilities, computer labs and fine art large format printing technologies.
Learning in this program is a balance between practical studio-based activities and theoretical reflections upon contemporary photographic art and culture. A strong emphasis is placed on guided, self-directed learning and independent research to develop your individual photographic practice and locate your work within an appropriate theoretical context. Your individual projects are developed in consultation with an academic advisor.
Regular engagement with academic staff and your peers in cross disciplinary group tutorials and critique sessions will assist you in refining your photographic practice and clarifying appropriate concepts, materials and methodologies to produce resolved works.
Lectures, seminars, presentations, and field trips to public, commercial and artists-run galleries and culture resources will expand your understanding of contemporary photographic practice and complement the studio-based learning within this program.
Assessment in this program models professional practice in the creative fields, ranging from the presentation of photographic folios, reflective reports, curating and critiquing exhibitions, essay writing to contextualise and locate your work within the cultural and creative industries, documentation of processes and the development of an Appropriate Durable Record.
RMIT has many close links with photographic and aligned creative industries which take a variety of forms. Academics are professional photographers, photo-journalists, artists, editors, writers and curators maintaining strong linkages within national and global photographic practice and the community.
External industry experts and speakers are regularly engaged to speak to students through a number of forums, and international study tours are available.
RMIT holds existing and longstanding partnerships and connections with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Centre for Contemporary Photography, the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and many other institutions.
Work integrated learning
You’ll draw on expertise from photography industry professionals through weekly forums that examine various issues, opportunities and perspectives of the industry and models of contemporary art practice.
Through a professional practice seminar series, you will develop a proposal for an arts industry body that will be assessed by an expert with extensive experience in government and non-government galleries, funding bodies and publishers. The arts industry expert will provide feedback that you’ll have the opportunity to incorporate into your final proposal.
RMIT’s School of Art has a long tradition in and focus on international engagement. The awards available assist graduates to build international experiences into their practice and emerging careers.
The School manages INTERSECT—six creative projects that together form a dynamic program of exhibitions, residencies, creative laboratories, talks and events. These projects consider and use contemporary art as a means of intersecting with and enriching our University community, as well as our broader local and global ones. They are PROJECT SPACE, SPARE ROOM, SITUATE, SITE EIGHT, the LIGHTSCAPES and SPEAKER. RMIT:ART:INTERSECT's residency program, SITUATE, provides opportunities for artists, curators and researchers for creative experimentation, cross-cultural dialogue and global mobility.
Other opportunities
RMIT’s Global Experience Office (GEO) supports students to undertake exchange or short-term mobility activities with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Half of the program is dedicated to studio time, making your studio central to the learning environment. Individual photographic practice will be complemented by guest lectures, workshops and studio visits by international and local industry professionals.
Your creative research will encourage you to explore new ways of creating and skills for continual innovation, while critical frameworks will help you to develop your knowledge in building a sustainable enterprise and practice around your art.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Photography | City Campus |
2 years Full-time
4 years Part-time.
|
2 years Full-time
|
MC270 | 096091J |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC270
Career
The Master of Photography will prepare you for work or further research in the diverse global photographic industry.
Graduates will have advanced and specialised knowledge and skills in photographic communication and practice. You will be able to independently create photographic works for professional presentation and communicate your ideas effectively in a range of professionalcontexts.
Postgraduate qualifications are desired in the global market. Graduate will be more competitive in securing roles in museums, galleries, government institutes, education, community organisations and private sector organisations throughout Asia and Europe.
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a related creative discipline
OR - undertaken at least five years of professional experience in photography.
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a relevant creative discipline.
You may also be considered if you have a minimum of 5 years' professional experience in photography. To have your professional experience considered in your application, you must include a CV and a statement that details your experience.
Entry requirements
You must:
- Complete and submit the online pre-selection kit by 10 November.
Submissions may be considered after this date if places are available. The link to submit your pre-selection kit will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application. - Attend a folio presentation.
To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit requires:
- A statement describing your current photography practice (include any website links) and what you are hoping to achieve with this program. (maximum 250 words).
- A brief CV (maximum 2 pages).
- A folio of 10 to 20 photographs compiled into a single PDF or website folio.
The folio provided should reflect your current photographic achievements. Your folio must be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 10MB) or you may supply a URL to your folio. Please ensure the folio link contains a maximum of 20 images. Please only link to a folio containing work for this application, rather than a generic website. If your work is a collaboration, please detail precisely your role, and the role of the collaborator/s (maximum 200 words).
Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit.
Folio presentation: You may be required to attend a folio presentation. This can be conducted in person, via video call or telephone.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you have gained one of the following qualifications in photography you will be eligible for masters exemptions relevant to your qualification level as stated in the table below. Please note that credit granted towards masters exemptions cannot be transferred to an exit award such as a graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
If you have a qualification in another discipline, you may still be eligible for masters exemptions. If you wish to have your qualification assessed for masters exemptions eligibility, please contact Info Corner or call +61 3 9925 2260.
Qualification level |
Exemptions |
Remaining program duration* |
| Bachelor degree | 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) | 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
| Bachelor honours degree | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
| Graduate certificate | 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) | 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
| Graduate diploma | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) | 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
*Duration indicated is the normal study duration; for some programs spring and summer semesters may be offered, reducing the study duration.
Credit
For more information on the type of credit that may be available to you, please see RMIT's credit policy.
You may be eligible for advanced standing up to a maximum of 2 semesters (equivalent to 96 credits points). Eligibility for advanced standing is based on your previous studies and is assessed on a case by case basis.
Learn more about eligibility for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Fees
2019 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$23,040*
* Amount quoted is the indicative 2019 tuition fee per annum, and is based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Fees shown above apply to 2019 only and are based on an annual full-time study load of 96 credit points unless otherwise noted. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load. Tuition fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$30,720.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$62,400.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.