School of Creative Industries

BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

Graphic design is a dynamic subject that enriches and influences all aspects of our visual environment. The studio-focused course at Wolverhampton is designed to be responsive to this and is continually reflective in order to positively contribute to your student experience.

Graphic design is a dynamic subject that enriches and influences all aspects of our visual environment. The studio-focused course at Wolverhampton is designed to be responsive to this and is continually reflective in order to positively contribute to your student experience.

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
W2VC
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Graphic design is a dynamic subject that enriches and influences all aspects of our visual environment. The studio-focused course at Wolverhampton is designed to be responsive to this and is continually reflective in order to positively contribute to your student experience. Perfect for intellectually curious individuals with creative ambition.

The Graphic Design course encourages students to engage with design at a professional level across all print and screen media. Ideas and their development are all-important and we create an environment that encourages creative thinking.

The Foundation year prepares students for university level study. Successful completion of our Foundation course permits access to any of our Art or Digital Media BA (Hons) or BDes (Hons) degree courses, which include Fashion, Fine Art, Furniture Design, Glass and Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Paint and Print Making, Photography, Product Design, Sculpture and Environmental Art — The Foundation year begins with modules aimed at providing transferable study skills and then, in the second semester, gives students the opportunity to study more specialist modules, with a focus on various aspects of Arts and Digital Media.

Our programme of assignments allows you to design for areas including branding, editorial, exhibition, packaging and visual identity. You will use digital tools to develop screen-based and web solutions that are interactive, immersive and challenging. Most importantly, the course encourages you to become a thoughtful designer – producing creative work that has a place in and benefit to contemporary culture and society.

The course is focused on employability; you have the opportunity to meet and work with design companies large and small and to collaborate internationally on assignments with overseas universities. You are also able to boost your CV with student prizes sponsored by notable companies such as Rotovision and Sheaffer.

Many students undertake live briefs, competitions and professional placements helping to build experience and to enhance their confidence. Our alumni have secured positions at all levels of the profession around the world successfully contributing to the creative industries and global economies. Why not join them?

What's unique about this course?

  • With a large focus on employability, you will be given opportunities to work with design companies of all sizes.
  • You may also have the opportunity to enhance your CV with awards sponsored by well-known companies such as Rotovision and Sheaffer.
  • All courses in the School of Art are now available with a professional placement option

What happens on the course?

Level 4: the first year of the course introduces you to specialist design skills, creative thinking and problem solving, all informed by professional and contextual learning. You will be guided through the transition required to study at degree level, and supported in developing approaches and solutions to projects. There will be opportunities to learn practical and software skills during workshops, and explore the practice and theory of broad Graphic Design areas including typography, colour, image-making, composition and output for a range of platforms, formats and purposes for print and screen.

Level 5: the second year builds from skills and knowledge learned at Level 4, and encourages you to develop your emerging style and higher-level skills in relation to more specific aspects of the design industry such as Print and Editorial Design, Screen / Interface and Mobile / Web Design, Motion Graphics, Design for Commercial Enterprises and Information Design. Your understanding will be extended through our exciting lecture programme, referencing contemporary and historic practice, societal issues and critical thinking, and you will be encouraged to consider employability as you work on live project briefs, and have opportunities to engage with clients.

Level 6: the final year of BA (Hons) Graphic Design encourages deeper understanding of your subject whilst developing your design outputs, professional-level skills and ambition through integrated study of practice and theory. Emphasis is on your personal development and individual creative direction and you will have opportunities to consolidate your learning from Levels 4 and 5 through negotiation of a portfolio of work including live, competition and exhibition projects. You will be supported in consideration of personal aims, creative ambitions, employability and career intentions as you complete the course.

Why not check out what our students got up to for their final projects at our annual Degree Show 2018

 

We are currently reviewing our foundation course to enhance student learning and success. Course details may be subject to updates. Please keep an eye on our pages for updates.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Employability is core to the ethos of the School of Art’s learning and teaching, and BA (Hons) Graphic Design provides opportunities to experience and engage with professional and industrial contacts. At Level 4 you will be encouraged to encounter and experience all aspects of your specialist area and further embed yourself into the subject through visits and speakers. At Level 5 you will have the opportunity to experience professional practice and will work on subject-specific briefs led by external clients/organisations. At this level there will also be emphasis on live projects / placements that offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborative practice. Level 5 is designed to give you the opportunity to take risks and experiment within your subject but also to meet and network with other students across the School of Art. Level 6 emphasises self-initiated and negotiated projects and provides you with the time and support to develop your individual voice as a designer. There is also provision for interdisciplinary teams working together on ambitious final outcomes where appropriate, and you will be supported to maintain placement learning and external networks established at Level 5. In addition, the University offers a Career Development Week each year, which is intended to provide cross-curricula activities that enable you to extend your skills and employability goals.

Students graduating from BA (Hons) Graphic Design emerge as creative independent thinkers, prepared for employment in a breadth of potential roles. The Creative Industries continue to be a growth area, vital to UK and overseas economies, and the course and University have an excellent record in helping students to find meaningful employment within the sector. Potential careers include: graphic designer, graphic artist, design consultant, fine artist, media creative, account handler, studio manager and creative director.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Teaching takes place in our studio environments where tutor-student engagement and peer-to-peer learning promotes a professional and independent approach to your development. Teaching, supervised practice and independent exploration also takes place in well-equipped material workshops and computer labs. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to explore and build material and technical competencies towards developing your own rich, challenging and distinct visual language as designers and artists.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design is distinctive in its approach because:

  • Students are assessed on 100% coursework
  • The course structure reflects the breadth and flexibility of industry practice
  • Our focus is on employability and student support
  • We have a great success rate in national and international design competitions
  • We integrate theory and practice to encourage deep learning and quality coursework
  • Our dynamic environments enable creative practice and discourse
  • Award-winning lecturing and support staff
  • Access to world-class facilities
  • Studio culture enables discussion, advice and support outside of teaching sessions
  • We have an excellent network of contacts offering live projects, placements and opportunities

Our course has received excellent results and feedback from the National Student Survey, particularly concerning our award-winning teaching, student support and overall student satisfaction. External examiners have consistently commended our approaches and commitment to learning, teaching and student support. We are also members of creative professional organisations such as D&AD and the AOI.

The member of academic staff who leads this course is Marc Austin

Our long-established course is designed to provide you with the best creative education focusing on employability and student support. Within each academic year, two year-long modules allow you to experience and engage with dynamic projects of increasing complexity over varied timescales, reflecting the breadth and flexibility of professional graphic design with regular opportunities to work on live projects and international competitions. This carefully structured course encourages independent learning supported by an integrated delivery of contextual, theoretical, technical and practical skills. Our studio-centred approach reflects industry practice and enables you to work in a creative community, encouraging personal, professional development and communication.

During your time with us, you will have opportunities to explore diverse, interesting and challenging design briefs – you will be guided through your studies by our experienced academic, technical and study-support staff team and engage with industry practitioners. Studio culture is core to our courses and you will be encouraged to become part of the art and design community through time spent working in the studios, workshops and labs available to students across the week. We believe in enabling students to become confident designers by developing their contextual knowledge and supporting intellectual curiosity alongside learning and practicing professional skills.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

Additional Course Costs

Additional Materials: £50 to 250 per semester - Prices vary according your subject of practice.

Additional Field Trips: £50 to 500 - Prices will vary according to location.

Additional Events: £350 - Degree Show/New Designers. Costs will vary according to the medium and mode of your practice but considerations will be around materials, installation and presentation.

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies.

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Prepare for Foundation Pathway:- We will consider applicants who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course. If you would like more advise and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact the Gateway team to discuss and support you in making an application to us.

Contact the Gateway - University of Wolverhampton (wlv.ac.uk)

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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