School of Creative Industries

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

BA (Hons) Part-time 6 years, Full-time 3 years

Studied at the Wolverhampton School of Art, our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree allows you to develop your expertise in graphic design while working alongside other ambitious designers.

Studied at the Wolverhampton School of Art, our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree allows you to develop your expertise in graphic design while working alongside other ambitious designers.

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
W211
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time (6 years),Full-time (3 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
School
School of Creative Industries
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

95% of students were pleased with the teaching on their course

NSS, 2023

Studied at the Wolverhampton School of Art, our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree allows you to develop your expertise in graphic design while working alongside other ambitious designers. You'll put your ability and creativity to fantastic use during this studio-based graphic design degree, which will inspire you to  develop the skills you’ll need to begin a successful career in this field.

Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design course is studio-focussed, inspiring students with an enriched, visual environment.

We continually build on this point to enhance the learning experience of every graphic design student. If you are intellectually curious and full of creative ambition, this graphic design degree will assist you in engaging with design at a professional level. Whether that’s through print or screen and media, we focus on creating an environment that encourages creative thinking.

Our learning programme allows you to design for areas including branding, editorial, exhibition, packaging, and visual identity. Using digital tools to develop screen-based web solutions that are interactive, immersive, and challenging. Above all, the course encourages you to become a thoughtful designer creating art that has a place in contemporary culture and society.

With a large focus on employability, you will be given opportunities to work with design companies of all sizes, and to collaborate internationally on assignments with overseas universities. 

The course is focused on employability, and you will have the opportunity to meet and work with design companies large and small, as well as to collaborate on assignments with overseas universities. You may also have the opportunity to enhance your CV with awards sponsored by well-known companies such as Rotovision and Sheaffer.

Our alumni secure positions at all levels of the profession, both nationally and internationally. During your time studying a graphic design degree with the University of Wolverhampton you’ll increase your own employability by undertaking live briefs, competitions, and professional placements.


All courses in the School of Art are now available with a professional placement option, which is included in our BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Sandwich Placement. A professional placement provides an opportunity for professional development in the workplace and as such, greatly enhances the student’s prospects of finding rewarding and relevant employment at the end of their studies. The school assists students in securing work placements, undertaking live briefs, engaging directly with employers and developing key employability skills. The School is committed to raising student awareness of the opportunities that exist post-graduation.

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: In your first year, you will be introduced to specialist design skills, creative thinking, and problem solving. These are all taught through professional and contextual learning, assisting you in the transition you’ll need to take in order to successfully study at degree level. Whilst receiving support to develop solutions to projects, there will also be chances to learn practical and software skills during workshops. Explore the practice and theory of broad graphic design areas such as typography, colour, image-making, composition, and output for a range of platforms and formats.

Level 5: Your second year of study will build on the skills and knowledge you have acquired from your first year (Level 4). By developing your unique style and higher-level skills in relation to more specific aspects of design, such as print and editorial design, screen / interface and mobile / web design, motion graphics, design for commercial enterprises and information design, you will be constantly applying the knowledge you are learning. With our exciting lecture programme references contemporary and historic practice, societal issues, and critical thinking. When working on live project briefs, you will also have the opportunity to interact with clients.

Level 6: During your final year, you will continue to build on your knowledge of the subject,  enhancing your design outputs, professional skills, and ambition in both practice and theory. Emphasising your personal development is important, as well as making sure that you pursue your individual creative direction so that you have opportunities to consolidate your learning from Levels 4 and 5. This will be negotiated through a portfolio of work including live, competition, and exhibition projects. You will be supported with a consideration of personal aims, creative ambitions, employability, and career intentions as you complete the course.

Additional Information

The member of academic staff who leads this course is Marc Austin.
For more information about Graphic Design at Wolverhampton, please follow us on Instagram.

Additional Information

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Wolverhampton School of Art

  • For more information about the Wolverhampton School of Art: visit our School of Art homepage.
  • Discover more about our outstanding facilities – visit our facilities pages.
  • Learn about the creative industries and everything we do to make your creative career a reality on our Creative Futures page.
  • Check out the work of our 2021 graduating students on our Degree Show and MA Show pages.
  • Find out what our students say – view testimonies from successful graduates on our Case Studies page.
  • Research – learn about the Centre for Art and Design Research and Experimentation (CADRE) and FEINART, our ambitious and innovative pan European training network.
  • Wolverhampton School of Art was selected as one of the venues for the prestigious British Art Show 9.
  • Artsfest – our established programme of arts and cultural events continues to bring you the very best this region has to offer!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM >>

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

In BA (Hons) Graphic Design, students have the opportunity to experience and engage with professional and industrial contacts. Employability is important, and 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. In Level 5, you will work on briefs led by external clients and organisations and have the opportunity to experience professional practice. At this level, there will also be an emphasis on live projects / placements that offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborative practice. 

Level 5's course structure is designed to give you the opportunity to explore unfamiliar subjects within a supportive, safe environment, and also to allow you to meet students from across the School of the Arts. Level 6 provides opportunities for self-initiated and negotiated projects, and it offers the space and time needed to develop your unique 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.

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!

Learning takes place in our studios where peer review and peer-to-peer learning promote professional independence and academic progress. Teaching, supervised practice, and independent exploration also takes place in well-equipped material workshops and computer labs. The course will enable you to develop the technical skills that contribute towards building your own visually rewarding and distinct visual language.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Additional Information

The member of academic staff who leads this course is Marc Austin.
For more information about Graphic Design at Wolverhampton, please visit our website: wlvgraphics.co.uk.

 

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 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# 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 £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

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points including a level 3 qualification in Art and Design.

  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades DD
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design or Creative Media Production & Technology - grade M

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements

Those meeting the entry requirements may be shortlisted for a Portfolio Review. Further details can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/. Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory reference.

Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

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

Order a prospectus

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