Program Overview

Visual Communication (Level 6) BA (Hons)

Course Overview

You’ll become a multi-skilled designer and exhibit work in London and complete a work placement at a prestigious agency. You’ll build on your existing knowledge, skills, and qualifications to develop vocationally-oriented creative portfolios to gain a full BA honors degree qualification.

Study Style

You’ll be actively engaged with design projects and real-world assignments, addressing a wide variety of creative challenges. Depending on your chosen pathway, you may have the chance to exhibit through our links with the D&AD’s New Blood Exhibition in London and enter the Yellow Pencil award, which previous Visual Communication students have won.

Entry Requirements

• HND, Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation degree
  • Applicants should possess an HND, Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation degree.
• 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, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.
• International students
  • Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.
• Additional requirements
  • English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
• Selection by interview
  • Selection for this course is by interview. Please refer to our interview guide for further information.

Course Modules

You’re viewing course modules for the Full Time (1 years) top-up course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course modules.

Here’s an example of the types of modules you’ll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).

Module information is not available for this programme.

Fees and Costs

You’re viewing fees for the Full Time (1 years) top-up course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

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) Fee per year | Fee (international) Fee per year ---|---|---|---|--- Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | W213 | £9,535 | £17,425 Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | W213 | TBC | TBC

International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Find out more.

Careers

Our strong connections enable students to gain real-world experience through placements with brands such as Saatchi & Saatchi X, Ogilvy & Mather, Factor 3, Tangible, Kraft, McCanns, BBH, Gravitas, IPA, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Taxi Studios, The Allotment, Rufus Leonard, Fitch and Superdry.

You’ll also have the opportunity to exhibit at D&AD’s New Blood Exhibition in London and our own Art and Design Festival.

Graduates from this course can go into a range of careers, including roles such as account managers, advertising creative/art directors, brand managers, directors of photography, illustrators, moving image designers, production designers, branding and packaging designers, graphic designers and demo producers.

Teaching Staff

Academic Course Leader

Claudia Brewster

Academic Course Leader for Visual Communication (Level 6)

Placements

Make essential contacts and gain valuable experience, even before you graduate. Students on selected modules have worked for prestigious companies including Saatchi & Saatchi X, Ogilvy & Mather, Factor 3, Tangible, Kraft, McCanns, BBH, Gravitas, IPA, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Taxi Studios, The Allotment, Rufus Leonard, Fitch and Superdry.

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

Student Testimonial

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do career-wise when I started the course. We were able to choose modules based on what we were interested in. I particularly enjoyed the Creative Portfolio module where we had lectures from creative directors from agencies like McCann Bristol and Publicis London. They gave us briefs, sometimes even live ones and every two weeks we presented our ideas and got feedback. I did a placement at Oakwood agency which ultimately made me realize I wanted to work in advertising.”

Syaza-Abdur Rahman, Visual Communications student