Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to frequently asked questions.
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- What recognition and approvals do you have?
- Our courses
The Australian Academy of Photography is a BTEC Approved Centre and an Edexcel Approved Centre. Our staff, tutors and courses have been thoroughly vetted and are continually monitored by Edexcel, who are owned by Pearson, the world's largest education company.
In addition to this, we run BTEC accredited courses (BTEC Higher National Certificate and BTEC Higher National Diploma) which allow students to gain the practical skills needed to enter the workforce or to use the credits awarded by this qualification towards advanced entry into a university degree.
We are also recognised by the International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC). View full details of our recognitions and approvals.
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- How were the courses designed?
- Our courses
Our courses have been carefully designed to provide an up-to-date and practical educational experience to ensure that our students are primed to succeed upon graduation. Our comprehensive course materials have been developed in collaboration with leading industry experts.
Our BTEC Higher National Certificate and BTEC Higher National Diploma courses focus on the relevant skills required for employment within the profession or to gain advanced entry to a university degree.
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- How can I access the course materials?
- Our courses
Once you have registered on a course, you will receive login details to the student area of our website called the Online Learning Centre. This is where you will be able to access all your course materials which include: practical, instructional videos; written content on a variety of topics tailored to your subject area; and vocationally relevant assignments. All course materials are created by industry experts.
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- What support will I receive during the course?
- Our courses
When you register for a course, you will be assigned your tutors and be given login details to the student area of our website called the Online Learning Centre. Your supportive tutors will guide you through the learning process and you can contact them directly by email or through the forum which can be accessed through the Online Learning Centre.
If you have any issues or questions about the Online Learning Centre, your payments, your student card or upgrading your course, you can contact Student Services.
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- Do you offer work placements?
- Our courses
Yes. Graduates of the Australian Academy of Photography Postgraduate Certificate are eligible for an optional work placement with a photography company. All placements are made in the Melbourne and Sydney areas. Please note that you need to be eligible to work in Australia.
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- English is not my first language. Can I still enrol on the course?
- Course requirements
Yes, but there are certain requirements depending on the course you are looking to do.
All you need to begin is an interest in photography. Our Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Postgraduate Certificate courses have no minimum educational requirement. No matter which course you choose our expert tutors will provide you with all the necessary support and guidance that you need to succeed.
BTEC Higher National Certificate and BTEC Higher National Diploma courses
If English is not your first language, or if you have not completed your last two years of schooling through English, we recommend you pass an English language proficiency test to enrol on these courses. There are many options available and we have listed some below.- IELTS: 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)
- TOEFL iBT: 70 (total score)
- PTE Academic: Minimum score of 51
- Cambridge CPE (pre-Jan 2015): Grade A, B, C, C1
- Cambridge CAE (pre-Jan 2015): Grade A, B, C, Level B2
- Cambridge CPE & CAE (post-Jan 2015): CEFR Level B2 or above Grade A, B, C, Level C1 or C2
- Cambridge ESOL: Cambridge English Scale score 162 or above
- TEEP (University of Reading): 5.5
- OIBEC: Pass at Level B2 or above
- Trinity College ISE: Pass or above on the following ISE qualifications: ISE II, ISE III, or ISE IV
If you do not meet the English language level requirements for the BTEC higher national courses, we do offer other course options. To discuss the option that best suits your needs, please contact us and our experienced team will help you choose the course which is right for you.
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- What equipment do I need when starting my course?
- Course requirements
All students will need to purchase their own equipment for their course. We encourage students to avail of any discounts by using their Australian Academy of Photography student card, and to shop around for the best deals.
A full list of the equipment required for each course is available in this blog post.
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- What are the benefits of doing a home study course?
- Choosing the right course
Our home study courses offer you the flexibility to complete your assignments when it is convenient for you. This ensures you can work at your own pace but always with the support of your tutors.
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- What are the benefits of doing a classroom-based course?
- Choosing the right course
By choosing one of our classroom-based courses, you have the benefit of attending classes either every other Saturday or one evening a week. Whatever option you choose, you'll receive the guidance and support of our expert tutors, while also being able to complete the assignments at your own pace. This approach ensures that you receive the optimum support and knowledge required, with the least amount of disruption to your personal schedule.
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- What are the benefits of doing live online classes?
- Choosing the right course
Our live online classes combine the convenience of studying from home with the experience of a classroom environment where students can interact with our skilled tutors in real-time. This dynamic environment enables students to ask questions, participate in class discussions, and receive instant feedback. It also creates a learning community and camaraderie that can help keep students motivated and engaged throughout their course. Our live online classes also make it easier for students to attend classes with minimal compromise to their own busy schedule. -
- Which course is right for me?
- Choosing the right course
To discuss the option that best suits your needs, please contact us and our experienced team will help you choose the course which is right for you.
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- What is BTEC?
- BTEC Accreditation
The British Education and Training Council (BTEC) has been the most successful applied learning brand for over 25 years. BTEC is administered by Edexcel who are owned by Pearson Education, the world's largest education brand.
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- What are BTEC courses?
- BTEC Accreditation
BTEC courses are vocational courses which allow students to gain the practical skills needed to enter directly into the workforce. You can also use the credits awarded on our BTEC courses towards advanced entry into a university degree.
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- Where can I study BTEC courses?
- BTEC Accreditation
BTEC courses are only offered by approved centres whose staff, tutors and courses have been thoroughly vetted and monitored by BTEC standards verifiers.
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- What will the assignments be like?
- Assignments
Assignments are designed to be vocationally relevant to your area of study. In general, the skills you demonstrate in your first assignment will be built upon as you work through each assignment. This progression will ensure you can confidently use these skills in real-world scenarios. With the careful guidance of your tutors, you will be asked to submit a range of work which will include written assignments, practical work, presentations and more.
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- How are the assignments submitted?
- Assignments
Completed assignments are uploaded to our Online Learning Centre. You will get access to the Online Learning Centre once you register for your course.
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- How are assignment results given?
- Assignments
Constructive feedback on your assignment will be available from our secure Online Learning Centre within two weeks of submitting the assignment.
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- Will I receive a student card?
- During your course
We provide student cards at no additional charge. Simply request a student card by contacting Student Services or through the Online Learning Centre, which you will be given access to once you register for your course. You will then receive your student card by post within two weeks. While you don't need a student card to attend class, we recommended requesting one as many retailers will offer discounts to student card holders.
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- How long will I have access to the resources on the Online Learning Centre?
- During your course
Once you register for your course you will be given access to the Online Learning Centre where you will find all your course resources. Home study students have access to these resources for three years from the date of enrolment. Classroom-based students have access to these resources for three years from the date of their first class.
If you are doing the BTEC Higher National Diploma course you will have access to the Online Learning Centre for four years from the date you enrolled (home study student), or from the date of your first class (classroom-based student).
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- Is there a graduation?
- After your course
Yes. We hold an annual Graduation Ceremony where all students who have successfully completed a course during the year can receive their award.
Infrequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to other questions.
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- Are courses accessible for the hard of hearing?
- Our courses
Yes. All course training videos include subtitles and our tutors are dedicated to providing a seamless learning experience for all students. If you have any specific learning requirements, please contact Student Services at the earliest opportunity.
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- Do I have to attend any classes if I do the home study course?
- Course requirements
If you choose to enrol on the home study course, there will be no classes to attend. You will have access to resources (documents, videos and tutorials) that cover your course content and support you in completing your assignments.
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- Do I have to attend all the classes if I do the classroom-based course?
- Course requirements
No. There is no requirement to attend all classes if you are doing a classroom-based course. However, we recommend that you attend as many classes as possible so that you can get the support you need to help you complete your course.
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- Can I use your logo on my business cards and website once I graduate?
- After your course
Yes. We would be delighted for you to use our logo to help you launch your new career. Simply contact us once you have successfully completed your course and we will provide you with the appropriate logo file for your needs.