FAQs

• What camera do I need for your courses

  Any camera is absolutely fine as long as it allows you to control the manual settings like aperture and shutter speed. Most basic compacts have that functionality these days. You may find that you want to upgrade to a digital SLR later but this is not a requirement for the course. We do not normally accept Smart Phone photography.

• Can I study from anywhere in the world?

  Yes, as long as you have an internet connection, you can access the course. We have students from Bournemouth to Brunei on the course and everywhere in between! Study is done from home or the place of your choice which makes this course completely flexible.

• How long does it take to complete the courses?

  This is entirely up to you. Some people have completed one of our Diplomas in as little as 30 hours, but 80 hours is a more realistic estimate. Remember, you have as long as you like to complete the course, so you can take your time. Please note, you must log in at least once every 12 months to keep your account active.

• What does an online course involve?

  Our online courses take you through a series of units to help develop your skills. It will normally involve tests at the end of each unit and a final assignment of some kind. Online courses are a framework on which to build your skills. The more effort you put into the assignments, the more you will get out of the course. We also suggest you join the Facebook Group and interact with other students to really get the most out of the learning experience.

• Can IOP experts help me choose a camera?

  We are happy to offer advice, however buying a camera is very subjective. What is right for one person, may not be right for another. Any advice we do give is just that and we will never tell you which model to buy.

• What does the course involve?

  Our courses are made up of in-depth and informative units. You will be asked to study information and then provide answers in the form of online assessment. It's really easy and intuitive to follow. Click here to find out more

• Can I speak to someone if I get stuck?

  Yes. You can email us at any time and our tutors will aim to respond within 24 hours. You can also contact our customer services team with any general enquiries at admin@institute-of-photography.com. You can call us on 0345 548 1125 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

• Do I have to spend time in the classroom?

  No, these are 100% online courses and are designed to be flexible for home learning. You can complete the course in your own time and fit your learning around other commitments, while still enhancing your photography knowledge. At points in the course, we will suggest you go out and practice your new found skills to cement your learning but this is not compulsory.

• Do I need an expensive camera and lots of equipment?

  The skill in photography is not in what equipment you have and some of the best shots we have ever seen have been from compact cameras. However, having an SLR camera will allow you to practice all the techniques first-hand and you may get more out of the course. Having said that, you can complete the course with a compact camera and many students have done so.

• Do I need to be a computer whizz to do the course?

  Our course interface is simple to use and easy to interact with. You must have basic computing skills like being able to cut and paste a URL for example. Your browser must be an up to date version. IT support is available by email at admin@institute-of-photography.com.

• Is there a time limit to complete?

  No - IOP offer one of the most generous course completion timeframes on the market. You have unlimited time to complete the course which is far superior to the usual industry standard of 6 months. You must log in to the course platform at least once every 12 months to keep your account active, but this is our only stipulation. If you allow your account to lapse, you must pay a nominal fee to activate your account again.

• I’ve forgotten my login details

  When you enrolled, you received an email confirmation of your details. If you have lost this confirmation, you can change your details on the login screen of the course where is says "Forgotten your password?". If you are having any trouble at all, email admin@institute-of-photography.com for help.

• I have enrolled but I haven’t received my welcome email

  Once you enrol, an email confirming details is sent to you automatically. Please check your spam or junk mail folders for this email if you can't find it. Some email cs will automatically delete spam mail. If you look in the junk mail and you still can't find it, don't worry, we can help. Just get in touch at admin@institute-of-photography.com.

• Can I complete the course on a mobile device like an iPad?

  You can view the course material on all mobile devices including an iPad.

• How many times can I take the tests and assignments?

  You can take the tests as often as you wish and only your highest grade will count. The Practice Assignments can be attempted once but there is no 'fail' grade. They are for advice and help only. The Formal Assignments can be taken up to a maximum of three times. We are here to help facilitate your learning and to help you achieve the required grade through mentorship and advice. If you do not pass an assignment, we will give you feedback as to why and offer suggestions for a re-submission.

• I’m having technical problems

  Don't worry - on the rare occasion that a student has technical difficulties, we normally fix it within a few hours. Just email admin@institute-of-photography.com for a fast response to any technical queries.

• Do I need to be an experienced photographer?

  Absolutely not. This course is designed by experts for enthusiasts and beginners. Whatever your level of photography ability, this course will help to develop your knowledge and skills.

• What about accreditation?

  IOP® are accredited to provide courses by the CPD Certification service (membership number 10007). Accredited CPD training means the learning activity has reached the required CPD standards and benchmarks. The learning value has been scrutinised to ensure integrity and quality. The CPD Certification Service provide recognised independent CPD accreditation compatible with global CPD standards.

• What certificate will I receive?

  You will receive a CPD accredited official IOP® certificate on completion in pdf form

• How am I graded?

  You are assessed using an intelligent self-assessment system. A series of unit tests must be completed in order to graduate. Course materials can be accessed at any time, but unit tests must be completed once started. You will then receive immediate grades and each test will contribute to your final score. On most of our courses, you will be asked to submit photos for set assignments. These will be graded by an expert, who will mark your pictures on a scale up to 100%.

• Do I need any books for study?

  No, you don't need to purchase any books for this course. We provide you with everything you need on our course platform. However, we can recommend the following books for further reading: Tom Ang has written some great books on all aspects of photography. We highly recommend his work and in particular 'Digital Photography Month by Month'. Michael Freeman has written an excellent book on composition called 'The Photographer's Eye'. Over 190 pages focussing solely on composition techniques.

• Is there a lower age limit for IOP courses?

  Yes, you must be 16 years or above to take an IOP course.

• Can I use a phone camera to complete the course?

  No, you must have a camera which allows you to control the manual settings.