The strength of this course is that it enables you to develop a sound base of conceptual and technical skills, along with a deep understanding of the real design process.
With an outstanding reputation in the UK for developing the innovative, commercially aware and adaptable multi-skilled designers demanded by today's creative industry professionals, our graduates are employed across a wide variety of industries.
All three years feature two core modules covering practical and theoretical work. We encourage you to develop your own interests and express your viewpoints, imagination and visual skills within specialist areas such as:
- print
- illustration
- advertising
- branding
- new media
- motion graphics.
Throughout the course you'll get regular feedback via group tutorials, individual portfolio reviews and personal development planning. Lectures in design theory are complemented by guest lectures from industry professionals. Team working in small groups is also an important feature, helping to develop your communication skills that are essential in many commercial graphic design practices.
Art and Design Degree Shows 2012
Our final-year Art and Design Degree Shows will be taking place in May and June at the University. 20 courses will be showcasing inspirational work across the campus and the shows are open to the public.
Find out about our Degree Shows on the School of Art & Design website.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
This course is taught by specialist staff including internationally recognised practitioners, researchers and educators who are actively involved in the contemporary graphic design arena.
Year One
- You will gain a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles and history of graphic design.
- You will also participate in a series of project briefs and a learn-by-doing approach combines creativity with technology and incorporates modern software and visualisation techniques.
Year Two
- You'll begin to expand on your creative development and work through the design process in a series of projects.
- These will include areas like brand identity, interactive design, advertising, illustration, typography, editorial design and digital techniques.
- You'll have the chance to take up a work placement for up to four weeks within a commercial design company.
Year Three
- You'll have the freedom and flexibility to specialise in areas of your choice by developing your own projects and design briefs.
- You'll get the chance to enter national competitions.
- You'll put together a portfolio of self-initiated degree show work and a fully research dissertation on a subject of your choice.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the course and based on coursework.
Student gallery
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our student gallery.
Specialist equipment and facilities
Our facilities reflect what's used in industry. We have state-of-the-art multimedia and digital video editing facilities, photographic studios and darkrooms, and one of the largest suites of latest generation Apple Macs owned by any UK university. All hardware and software is upgraded on a regular basis so you're always using the very latest technology.
Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.
Course visits and trips
During your second year you'll have the exciting opportunity to study in New York (at the Fashion Institute of Technology), Barcelona, Milan, Prague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Gent.
You will also have the opportunity to spend part of your degree studying abroad through the University's SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme.
Your future career
We've developed exceptional links across the design industry – a fact highlighted by the success of our graduates.
Recent graduates have gone on to work for the likes of Sony Europe, Abercrombie & Fitch, Futurebrand, Getty Images, The British Museum, NB Studios, Atelier Works, Form and The Applied Information Group.
Find out more about the prizes and awards our Graphic Design students have won.
Notable Alumni
Find out more about our graduate success stories on the School of Art and Design website.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
If you are an International (non-EU) applicant you will still need to apply to us through UCAS, but can find information and guidance about the application process on our 'Applying and Fees for International (non-EU) students' web page.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
- 2013 entry: 15 January 2013
Applications received after this date will be marked as 'late' and only considered if places are still available after all on time applications have been assessed.
Interviews, online work submissions and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
The table below shows you how we asses different types of applicants, once we've received their UCAS application.
| Type of applicant | Online Work Submission | Interview |
|---|
| A-Level / BTEC National Diploma / Other | Yes | Yes |
| Art and Design Foundation Diploma | No | Yes |
| Mature | No | Yes |
A-Level / BTEC National Diploma / Other applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements but have not completed an art and design foundation course, we will ask you to make an online work submission of:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a short written summary.
If we need you to submit work, we'll contact you when we receive your UCAS application. Your online work submission will be used to decided whether to invite you to attend an interview at the University.
Art and Design Foundation Diploma / Mature applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements and are completing an art and design foundation diploma, or are a mature applicant, we'll invite you to attend an interview at the University without requesting an online work submission first.
Interview and portfolio information
If you are invited to attend an interview, you'll bring your portfolio with you. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Graphic Design interview and portfolio information. 
Overseas applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us an online work submission of:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a piece of written work (approximately 500 words) from your current or previous course.
When we receive your UCAS application we'll contact you to tell you how to submit your work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
UCAS points
The 280 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 280 UCAS points required.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature applicants (over the age of 21) for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a mature you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
