BA (Hons) Graphic & Communication Design

The entry requirements for this course are 32 UCAS tariff points, a Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject or A Levels. Maths and English must be at a minimum of a grade 4. Significant relevant prior learning and experience will also be considered. You might be asked to submit a portfolio of work to support your application. 

On receipt of your application, you will be asked to provide a portfolio that demonstrates your ideas and abilities creatively. This may showcase work you have done at school or college, or alternatively this may capture independently devised projects. You will then be invited for interview in which you are able to discuss the course and ask any questions you may have. 
 

Students will develop portfolios of work in response to a brief, these portfolios will be assessed. You will also be encouraged to present ongoing work to your peers and staff as well as industry figures and design studios.

Throughout the degree students will develop skills in; a range of digital design skills, conceptual and theoretical methods of design, visual and verbal communication skills, understanding of the creative, social and ethical context of visual communication, critical thinking, creative thinking, analytical response skills, printmaking and photography.

The programme is delivered face-to-face in the design studios and workshops, where you will learn a wide range of design skills through practical and project-based activity. This is supported by lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent studio practice. You will also take part in field trips, exhibitions, design conferences and cultural centres, as an exciting and memorable way to put knowledge into context.

Course materials, field trips, and printing costs approximately £70 per year. Creative Cloud software license for home use is approximately £16.24 monthly for the first year, then £24.96 monthly after this.

Some students choose to continue study on to postgraduate courses such as Master’s degrees, specialist short courses or teacher training programmes. Upon completion, most students choose to begin their career within the industry in a variety of roles, for themselves or as part of a design agency. On successful completion of the course you might go on to become a Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Web Designer, Editorial Designer, Publisher, Branding Manager, Advertising Executive or Brand/Package Designer etc.

Our BA (Hons) Graphic and Communication Design course is built around meaningful engagement with industry, giving students the opportunity to work on live briefs, collaborate with real clients, and gain valuable professional insight throughout their studies.

Over the past three years, students have partnered with a diverse range of organisations across the cultural, commercial, and creative sectors. Recent live projects include book design for York Museum Gardens, mural design for All 4 Paws Edinburgh and York BID, and jersey design for York College Esports Team. Students have also developed branding, layout, and photography for community-focused work with Radfield Home Care, alongside a similar collaboration with York Cares.

Additional branding and design projects have been delivered for clients such as Sacred Rest, Mr Chippy and The Dales Ensemble. For the last 3 years students have also benefit from virtual work experience opportunities with Hedgehog Lab, gaining insight into contemporary digital design practice.

Industry engagement is further strengthened through collaborations with leading design studios such as Pentagram, as well as participation in prestigious national competitions including D&AD briefs and projects set by Penguin Books.

Students regularly connect with industry professionals through guest lectures and talks from practitioners including Marco Looks, Owen Turner, CJ, and Rosie Bloom, offering insight into a wide range of creative careers.

This industry-facing approach is complemented by an extensive programme of study visits to key cultural and professional destinations, including G.F Smith, York Art Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Hepworth Wakefield, and Thin Ice Press, alongside international trips to cities such as Edinburgh, London, Paris and Newcastle.

Together, these experiences ensure that students graduate with not only strong creative portfolios, but also the confidence, professional awareness and industry connections and portfolio needed to succeed in the evolving design landscape.