Program Overview

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Programme Overview

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme at BSBI is designed to foster new talent into creative leaders within the commercially oriented field of graphic design. Throughout this degree, students will meet the demands for UI/UX design solutions, websites, and digital publishing. The four-year international route programme includes a foundation year, which will introduce students to the fundamentals of the creative industry and provide the opportunity to refine a career path.

Programme Fee

• Hamburg: October BA 2025 October: €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
• Foundation International Route 2025: February | October: €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)

Special offers: Up to 20% savings for International Students | 10% savings for EU Students. Terms and conditions apply.

Key Programme Information

• Duration: 3/4 years (international route)
• Intakes: February, October
• Campus: Hamburg, Germany
• Degree awarded by: University for the Creative Arts
• Price: BA 2025 October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
• Price: Foundation International Route 2025: Feb, Oct | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Age: 17 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 11 years of schooling)
• Academic Qualifications: ECCTIS UK equivalent to GCSE
• English Language Requirements: Access to Proof of English Guide (UCA) available upon request

Programme Structure

• Modules:
  • INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION IN ART DESIGN AND MEDIA:
    • English for Academic Purposes, Research and Study skills
    • Exploring Practices, Process, Materials and Techniques
    • Investigating Specialist Practice
    • Final Major Project
  • YEAR 1:
    • Methods and Processes
    • Typography and Principles of Visual Communication
    • Historical and Contextual Methods
  • YEAR 2:
    • Design Direction
    • Contextual Research and Theory
    • Study Abroad Exchange (optional)
  • YEAR 3:
    • Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
    • Final Major Project
    • Professional Practice

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, students should be able to:

• Apply good knowledge of English to communicate relevant international, cultural, contemporary knowledge, and historical, theoretical, and professional contexts.
• Understand and formulate unique ideas into convincing concepts for the industry.
• Generate research and apply technological, theoretical, and detailed knowledge of graphic design.
• Understand various emerging and contemporary developments and debates in the communications industry.
• Confidently identify the sources of risk that affect projects and come up with strategies for managing those risks to get the best results from the projects.

Career Progression

BSBI’s industry-focused environment provides the ideal support to our students in their personal and professional development. Upon successful completion of the BA Graphic Design course, you’ll be able to pursue the following graphic design careers:

• Graphic designer
• Branding/corporate designer
• Packaging designer
• Editorial designer
• Web and app designer
• UI/UX designer
• Art director
• Creative director
• Video director
• Visualiser/visual creative

Technical Equipment

• Computer Equipment: In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop.

Portfolio Submission

• Your Portfolio Submission: For year 1 entry, you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal.
• What Should My Portfolio Contain?: Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
• How do I Submit My Portfolio?: We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal. You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.

Living in Hamburg

Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination by clicking here.

Hear from our students and alumni

Learn more about their BSBI journey.

• "BSBI creates a fun and interactive environment where it opens conversations and doors to create new connections." - Aya, UAE
• "Improve my ability to understand different cultures, live with people from other backgrounds, and enhance my language skills." - Matteo, Italy
• "The BSBI faculty's genuine passion for the subject and student success cultivates an enthusiastic and engaged learning environment." - Liubov, Russia
• "BSBI and the knowledge I’ve acquire here has supported me to develop my soft skills, with a focus on management and projects." - Karla, Dominican Republic

The Virtual Student Lounge

BSBI offers you the opportunity to attend our Virtual Student Lounge to help you gain an insight into life at the school. Through a video call consultation, you’ll be able to get a virtual campus tour, learn more about our programmes, bursaries, and scholarships, and get answers to any questions you might have regarding the admission procedure.

Year 3 Direct Entry

BSBI, in partnership with leading creative institution, University for the Creative Arts (UCA), is offering the opportunity to enrich your vocational qualification with this Year 3 direct entry bachelor’s degree in just a year.

• Modules:
  • Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
  • Final Major Project
  • Professional Practice
• Key Facts:
  • Location: BSBI Hamburg Campus
  • Duration: 1 year (full-time)
  • Intakes: October
  • Awarding Body: University for the Creative Arts
  • Price: BA 2025 October €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
  • Price: Foundation International Route 2025: February/October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
  • Entry Requirements: Graduates from a vocational academy/institute are not required to present a portfolio upon certified successful completion of their vocational training and are eligible for a direct entry into year 3. Same is applicable for students who completed HND in Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation or direct year 3 progression upon successful completion of level 5/Year 2 by a UK awarding body.
  • English Language Requirements: Graduates from a Schengen zone vocational academy/HND/ Level 5 progression by UK awarding body are not required to present an IELTS language test but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics test which will be provided by BSBI for direct entry year 3 BA Degree.