I've just stumbled upon this career guidance or handbook from the Russell Group, which represents the UK's 20 largest universities, in which it is stated that they favour students who study traditional subjects at A-level over newer ones such as business studies or photography. The handbook also reveals an overwhelming preference for science and maths subjects – even for seemingly unrelated degrees.

In the guide, at the question "Do universities prefer certain advanced level subjects over others?", the top British universities answer that:

there are many rumours about subjects being regarded as 'hard' or 'soft' and different people will have differing opinions on the matter. In general, subjects referred to as being 'hard' are more traditional and theoretical subjects, for example: English, History, Physics and Chemistry. 'Soft' subjects are usually subjects with a vocational or practical bias, for example: Media Studies, Art and Design, Photography and Business Studies. However, there is no set definition of a ‘hard' and ‘soft' subject. Generally speaking, students who take one ‘soft' subject as part of a wider portfolio of subjects do not experience any problems applying to a Russell Group university.

The right response to this is that photography properly taught to problem solve, think creatively and to act independently. The trouble is that may photography in many courses is not properly---there is not a lot of academic as well as practical content.

That was my experience in Melbourne.