Best Photography Schools

Why it is here: The FAMU photography department documents a tabletop studio with Sinar large-format cameras up to 18 x 24 cm and a film-scanning room with a Hasselblad Flextight X5 scanner; the bachelor's admission asks for a PDF portfolio of 3 to 6 projects.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants preparing a project-based portfolio of 3 to 6 projects.

Why it is here: The BA (Hons) offers the Henrion Photography Studios with industry-standard lighting and black and white darkrooms for chemical printing, over 3 years full-time; applicants are assessed through portfolio review.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want chemical black and white printing alongside studio work.

Why it is here: The BA (Hons) in Photography is a full-time 3-year degree with photographic studios and colour darkrooms, and the page states that exhibitions run through the course and end in a graduate show.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want a studio and darkroom degree with a graduate show.

Why it is here: The BFA in Photography | Video documents black-and-white and color darkrooms, a lighting studio, large-format practice and printing labs, with admission by competitive portfolio review.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants comfortable with a competitive portfolio review.

Why it is here: The BA (Hons) lists photography studios, a digital suite, darkrooms and a loan store, and states self-produced exhibitions, industry portfolio reviews and an annual Graduate Show; a 4-year sandwich option with work placement is listed.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: portfolio requirements are not recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want equipment loan and a graduate show.

Why it is here: The Harrow campus is documented with six photography studios and black and white and colour darkroom suites; final-year students complete a research project and a major photographic project intended for public exhibition.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want a documented public final exhibition.

Why it is here: The 120-credit BFA (Photography concentration) documents lighting studios with a cyc wall and strobe systems, a film darkroom, digital and print labs, an equipment loan program and a student-run photo gallery.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; portfolio requirements are not recorded; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want equipment loan and a student-run gallery.

Why it is here: CalArts documents a Photo Lab with equipment check-out for traditional and digital processes; BFA students must pass a graduation portfolio review and mount solo exhibitions by their third year.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants interested in exhibition-led study.

Why it is here: The MFA in Photography documents a digital lab, traditional darkrooms, a lighting studio and 4x5 Durst enlargers.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; portfolio requirements are not recorded; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented. Program duration and credits are not recorded.

May suit: Postgraduate applicants who want darkroom and digital facilities.

Why it is here: The Brooklyn campus documents a black-and-white darkroom, a non-silver process studio, a 1,000 sq ft digital lab with wide-format printers and film scanners, and a 1,500 sq ft shooting and lighting studio; the BFA is 126 credits over 4 years.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; portfolio requirements are not recorded; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want alternative-process and digital printing facilities.

Why it is here: RISD documents traditional darkroom print production, digital workflows, a Photo Cage equipment checkout and the Red Eye Gallery in the Design Center; MFA students have a large-format printer and studio space in the Fletcher Building.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; portfolio requirements are not recorded; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants who want an analogue and digital mix with equipment checkout.

Why it is here: Die Graphische documents five photo studios, a darkroom, a video studio, an audio lab and a 3D studio; the 4-semester Kolleg admits through a creativity test and a portfolio presentation of up to 10 works.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented. This is a diploma-level Kolleg, not a university degree.

May suit: Applicants seeking a vocational diploma with a portfolio-presentation entry.

Why it is here: ENSP Arles documents black-and-white and colour, analogue and digital workshops, a fablab and a library; the master's diploma is listed in the France compétences register (RNCP) at level 7 and runs over three years from October to June.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; portfolio requirements are not recorded; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented.

May suit: Applicants seeking a nationally registered photography master's diploma.

Why it is here: ICP's one-year certificate documents darkrooms, a digital media lab, a professional photographic studio and a library for onsite students; applicants submit a portfolio of 15-20 images.

Limitations: Not documented in the research: no fees are recorded in the research file; no exhibition or final-project details are recorded; named faculty are not documented. This is a school certificate, not a degree.

May suit: Applicants seeking a one-year documentary program rather than a degree.