This course is an award-winning degree combining creative flair with commercial versatility. It will give you a comprehensive understanding of a diverse range of traditional and contemporary communication media, with the specific aim of inspiring, informing and persuading your audience.
UCAS code
W211 BA/GD
Entry requirements
Mature applicants will be considered on an individual basis.
Course length
Three years full-time
Study location
City site
Fees and funding
For more information please see our applying and fees section.
Start date
October
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:
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 2012Our 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 usTelephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418Visit the School of Art & Design website.
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
Year Two
Year Three
Assessment is continuous throughout the course and based on coursework.
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our student gallery.
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.
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.
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.
Find out more about our graduate success stories on the School of Art and Design website.
Work placements
Although this course does not offer a formal placement year, students are encouraged to undertake informal work placements, and enter live industry competitions. All our courses are vocationally focused and benefit from strong links to industry.
Giving you competitive advantage
In today's competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. A work placement is a valuable addition to your education. You'll gain real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crowd and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
What are the benefits of a work placement?
Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help in your day-to-day studies and is often paid. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice which will be an invaluable skill in your future career. Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual's effort and is not guaranteed.
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.
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.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
The table below shows you how we asses different types of applicants, once we've received their UCAS application.
A-Level / BTEC National Diploma / Other applicantsIf 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:
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 applicantsIf 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 informationIf 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.
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us an online work submission of:
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.
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.
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.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email usTelephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
