Level 2 Certificate in Photography

This is a part-time course taught on one evening per week at our Peterlee campus.

Interested in photography? This course is designed to develop your existing knowledge and skills for you to continue on your photography journey. Using your DSLR camera and completing a series of practical projects, you will increase your knowledge, advance your skills and learn exciting new techniques to take your captured images to the next level!

The course covers both the theory and the practical elements behind taking images, so you’ll learn all about things such as the exposure triangle before going out and taking part in practical sessions. In the past, practical sessions have included such things as wire wool spinning photography, live action photography in the Lubetkin Theatre, paint in water, portrait sessions and so much more.

A portfolio of evidence is collated and presented to the Moderator at the end of the course.

Our Level 2 photography course includes two core units and one optional unit, with all of them to designed to:

• Develop your understanding of the functions of your camera.
• Develop your knowledge of other photographers and their work, and how you can apply similar techniques to your own photos.
• Explore and develop your own style – every photographer is different, so you can develop your own photos and take the shots you want to! Options include location, studio, commercial, documentary, experimental and exhibiting.

At the end, you’ll produce a full portfolio of your work which you may choose to exhibit.

These three units give you the 16 credits you’ll need to successfully complete the course.

After studying the Level 2 Certificate in Photography, some learners choose to open their own business or studio, some will work freelance, whilst others will use the knowledge and skills learnt on the course to support their work. For some learners it is a stepping stone to higher qualifications such as a Level 3 in Media or Art & Design.

Upon successful completion of this programme you can progress onto the full time Level 3 Diploma in Media, or onto the Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice, as both courses have elements of Photography.

Please note that our photography courses is only available to adults above the age of 19. For those who are below 19, we offer vocational course in Creative Media and in Art and Design which have elements of photography included.

3 GCSEs with grades 3 or above or equivalent (including Maths and English)

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

You will create a portfolio of evidence which will be assessed internally by your tutor before being approved by an External Moderator. The Moderator will visit at the end of the course.

September 2025 & January 2026

1 evening per week over 20 weeks at the Peterlee campus