Undergraduate

Graphic Design

BA (Hons)

Study options

BA (Hons) - Full time, 4 years - with foundation year

Apply to start in:

Open day

What is Graphic Design BA (Hons)?

During your time on our course, you’ll become a professional graphic designer learning from industry experienced lecturers. We will support you in gaining work experience with local and national design agencies, as well as giving you the opportunity to work with professional designers and live clients.

Our teaching staff are all industry experienced Graphic designers, we are able to impart our real-world knowledge, ensuring that you are taught to the standard that our industry will look for in a graduate. We will encourage you to express yourself through distinctive, creative, commercially-astute and ambitious ideas, working on projects individually and collaboratively in a professional studio environment.

From branding, packaging, typography, print, digital and moving image, this degree covers a diverse range of design areas. This gives each of our students the opportunity to find the area of design they want to pursue, and individually tailor their projects to complete a portfolio that will stand out to industry.

We’re in the UK top 20 for graduate prospects in design and crafts according to the Guardian University Guide 2020.

Study style

This is a practical and professional degree. You’ll experiment with different approaches to creativity using a range of strategic design strategies. You’ll work from our unique graphic design studios and have access to Macs, the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software as well as our print rooms.

The studios at Park campus is shared by Graphic Design students from all years creating a strong design community. This is also located within our new Design Centre, encouraging collaboration with all design students.

The learning resources for this course scored 95% satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019.

Get Graphic Design BA (Hons) course updates and hear more about studying with us.

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Entry requirements

Passion and creativity, not tariff points
- Because we want to offer this course to creative students with talent and potential (and because we know that exam grades don’t always tell the whole story), we make offers following an interview instead of using tariff points.
  
  You will need to have, or be studying for, a NQF level 3 qualification – that’s A-level/BTEC/Welsh Baccalaureate or equivalent.
  
  Once you apply, we will invite you to interview so we can decide whether to make you an offer.
  
  Check out our Interview Guide to learn what to expect and help you prepare.
Haven't got enough tariff points?
- This course is available with an integrated foundation year to help you prepare.
Mature students
- We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants though the entry requirements still apply.
  
  Some courses require several years of working experiences in the relevant industry.
International students
- Please read the entry requirements for your country – and you’re welcome to contact our admissions team if you have questions.
Required subjects/grades
- English and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.

Course modules

Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.

Start date	Location	UCAS code	Fee (UK) per year	Fee (international) per year
Sep 2021	Park, Cheltenham	W210	£9,250	£14,700
Sep 2022	Park, Cheltenham	W210	—	—

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work as:

Graphic Designer
Digital Designer
UX Designer
Freelance Designer
Account Manager
Design Strategist.

Industry links

You’ll gain industry contacts and experience through professional practice and work with prestigious studios and agencies including Channel 5, 1HQ London, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Williams Murray Hamm, Bulletproof and Taxi Design and SLG in Cheltenham.

We support the internationally-known Cheltenham Design Festival that partners with UCAS, Superdry and Mira. Recent guests have included creative director Eric Kessels, New York-based designer Stefan Sagmeister and British design gurus, Ken Garland and Sir Kenneth Grange.

Explore national and international design exhibitions

You’ll gain inspiration from leading-edge exhibitions such as D&AD New Blood and the London Design Festival. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore global centres for creative commerce including Berlin.

International student studying a Welcome to Cheltenham guide

Learn from experts

We support our students to move from good to great through excellence in teaching and exposure to everything the industry has to offer. You will graduate fully-equipped to move into a role in the creative industries.

Students looking at their printed advertisement design

Meet top designers at Cheltenham Design Festival

Strong links with the internationally-renowned Cheltenham Design Festival mean our students receive complimentary tickets. Prestigious figures from the world of design share their insights and creative inspiration.

Design Studies - Student Voice - NSS 2020

Our Design Studies courses rank top 25 in the UK for student voice according to the National Student Survey 2020.

Placements

You’ll gain essential industry experience through work placements and live briefs. Students have recently worked with Channel 5, 1HQ London, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Bulletproof and Taxi Design winning awards with their work and moving into successful design careers.

As part of your course you can gain valuable experience on an optional placement year.

Duration  – 12 months, full-time (minimum 35 hours a week)
Location  – popular destinations include the UK, USA, China and Europe
Visa – you may need a visa if you’re on placement abroad
Finance – your tuition fee is reduced for your placement year – and you can still apply for a maintenance loan and get money advice
Placement support  – we’ll help you find a great placement and get the most out of the experience

"I returned to UoG in 2016 to educate and inspire the next generation of graphic designers."

“I’m a walking advert for the BA Graphic Design course here at the University of Gloucestershire, having graduated from it myself back in 2008. In the decade that followed, my career as a graphic designer took me to award-winning branding and packaging design agencies in Bath, London and New York, working on globally loved brands including Cadbury and Coca-Cola. Slightly older – and most definitely wiser – I returned to UoG in 2016 to educate and inspire the next generation of graphic designers. Drawing on my experience as both student and professional, I devote my energy to creating the positive, supportive and creatively challenging atmosphere of a professional studio environment, supported by enviable links to industry. My belief is that our students’ hard work and creative commitment should be rewarded with the skills they need to earn those four simple words: ‘You got the job.'”

Jessica Reid, Academic Course Leader in Graphic Design

"After graduating, I landed myself a job with Taxi Studio - an award-winning design agency, based in Bristol."

“The Graphic Design course at University of Gloucestershire helped me understand the power of ideas and introduced me to a wide range of subjects. Working in a studio environment, strong industry links and being encouraged to collaborate with others on the course fully prepared me for a career in the creative industry.”

Sam Edwards, Graphic Design student

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