Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Photography specification (9PY0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Photography exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Photography specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Photography (9PY0) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Art & Design: Photography aims to develop students’ intellectual, creative, technical and critical abilities through photographic practice. This includes fostering an understanding of photography’s role as both a means of artistic expression and documentation, encouraging learners to engage with historical, contemporary, and cultural contexts. Students gain practical and theoretical knowledge through the exploration of digital and traditional photographic processes and media, developing personal ideas with independence and depth. The course prepares students for further study or creative industry roles, encouraging self-expression, experimentation, and meaningful visual communication.Subject content breakdown
3.6 Art and Design (Photography) (9PY0)
- Understand photography as an artistic and expressive medium, and as a tool for documentation and communication.
- Develop visual language through both traditional and digital photographic processes.
- Use a range of tools and materials for recording source material, from camera work to hand-drawn or software-based planning.
- Engage with drawing as a development tool, e.g. planning shots, analysing composition, refining ideas.
- Explore photographic disciplines:
- Film-based photography: film types, exposure techniques, darkroom processes, photograms, montage.
- Digital photography: pixel theory, image manipulation, software use, screen/print media, digital file formats.
- Film and video: storyboarding, animation, editing techniques, sound integration, digital and analogue formats.
- Consider light use, composition, timing, and contextual influences on photographic work.
- Demonstrate understanding of image production, presentation, and the ethical/copyright considerations surrounding photography.
Assessment structure
Component 1: Personal Investigation
- Internally set, assessed by teachers, externally moderated.
- 60% of the qualification.
- Includes supporting studies, practical work, and a 1000-word personal study.
- The personal study must show contextual research and link clearly to practical outcomes.
- Covers all four Assessment Objectives.
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
- Set by Pearson, released on 1 February.
- Assessed by teachers, externally moderated.
- 40% of the qualification.
- Includes preparatory studies and a 15-hour sustained focus period under exam conditions.
- Final outcome(s) are based on the preparatory portfolio.
- Covers all four Assessment Objectives.
Assessment Objectives (equally weighted at 25%)
- AO1: Develop ideas through investigation and critical understanding.
- AO2: Explore, select and refine materials and techniques.
- AO3: Record ideas and reflect critically.
- AO4: Present a personal and meaningful outcome.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel A Level Art & Design: Photography isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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