Graphic Design

Program Overview

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Overview

Combine the key areas of graphic design and illustration practice in this broad-based Graphic Design course. Understand design conventions to challenge them, working across print, screen and interactive media. Learn through carefully structured modules taught by supportive, experienced staff. Experience working with clients and solve real production problems through live briefs.

Study Options

• Integrated Foundation Year (UCAS code: W203)
• Professional Placement Year (UCAS code: S168)

Course Structure

Year One

• Design Principles: type and image
• Designing with Time: type and image
• Professional Development 1
• Wicked Problems: The Complexity of Critical Design Thinking

Year Two

• Interactivity with type and image
• Professional Development 2
• Graphic Communication: social good
• Graphic Communication: culture
• Graphic Communication: commerce
• Critical Design Thinking and Contemporary Issues
• Professional Placement Year

Year Three

• Independent Practice 1
• Professional Development 3
• Design Futures: Independent Critical Project
• Independent Practice 2

Opportunities

• Study abroad
• Fieldwork
• Work placements, industry links and internships
• Careers
• Competitions and awards
• Global Citizenship

Facilities and Resources

• Locksbrook campus
• Specialist technical workshops
• Access to studio space
• Resources for workflow and creative practice

Fees

• 2025 entry:
  • UK full time: £9,535
  • UK part time: £4,768
  • International full time: £18,380
• Professional Placement Year:
  • UK: £1,905
  • International: £3,676

Additional Course Costs

• You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits.

Funding Opportunities

• Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.

Entry Requirements

• A Level – grades BBB-BCC including a Grade B in Art and Design or related subject.
• BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject, or evidence of experience in Art and Design.
• T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
• International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required with a minimum of grade 5 in an Art subject at Higher Level.
• Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher) together with evidence of experience in Art and Design.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

• IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

• If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

Interview and Portfolio Guidance

• Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to bring a portfolio of creative work to interview at our Locksbrook campus.
• You’ll need to take us through your work; talk about specific projects, the problems you’ve encountered and how you went about solving them.
• We’re particularly interested to see your process of designing and illustrating as much as the final finished projects – research sketchbooks, prototypes, drawings (including life drawings) are important.

Related Courses

• Fine Art
• Interior Design
• Contemporary Arts Practice
• Product Design

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• School/s: Bath School of Design
• Campus or location: Locksbrook Campus
• Course length: Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
• UCAS codes: Institution Code: B20, Course Code: W200; or S168; or W203, Campus Code: A,BSU

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Graphic Design BA (Hons) program at Bath Spa University is a comprehensive, making-based experience designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the creative industries. The program aims to develop students into strategic thinkers, innovators, and makers, capable of producing creative and challenging outcomes across a range of media or within their chosen specialist area.

Outline:

Year One (Level 4):

• Design Principles: type and image: This module examines the core aspects of graphic design, typography, and image.
Students learn to conceptualize, produce, and critique type and images.
• Designing with Time: type and image: This module builds upon the foundation of design principles, exploring the dynamic nature of graphic design in relation to time-based media.
• Professional Development 1: This module introduces students to the professional context of graphic design, helping them develop their professional identity and understand industry expectations.

Year Two (Level 5):

• Interactivity with type and image: This module explores the integration of interactive media within the context of type and image, allowing students to experiment with digital design and user experience.
• Professional Development 2: This module builds upon the foundation of professional development, providing students with further guidance on career planning, networking, and portfolio development.
• Graphic Communication: social good: This module examines the role of graphic design in addressing social issues and promoting positive change.
• Graphic Communication: culture: This module explores the relationship between graphic design and cultural identity, examining how design reflects and shapes cultural values.
• Graphic Communication: commerce: This module focuses on the application of graphic design principles within commercial contexts, including branding, advertising, and marketing.
• Design: Contemporary Issues and Practice: This module delves into current trends and debates within the field of graphic design, encouraging critical thinking and engagement with contemporary design practices.
• Professional Placement Year (Optional): This year provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience through one to three placements over a minimum of nine months.
Successful completion of this module demonstrates the ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

Year Three (Level 6):

• Independent Practice 1: This module allows students to develop and refine their individual design practice through a series of self-directed projects.
• Professional Development 3: This module provides students with final guidance on career preparation, portfolio development, and job search strategies.
• Visual and Material Culture: Final Study: This module culminates in the development of a dissertation, allowing students to delve deeply into a specific area of interest within graphic design and visual culture.
• Independent Practice 2: This module provides students with the opportunity to further develop their individual design practice through a series of self-directed projects, culminating in a final portfolio showcasing their skills and achievements.

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a combination of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments include critiques, advice, and commentary from tutors and peers during studio modules. Summative assessments involve the presentation of research and final design outcomes, followed by written feedback and a mark from the tutor.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include directed technical workshops, lectures, small group seminars, and studio sessions. Students develop typography, image making, and illustration skills through tutor-led studio sessions, responding to set design problems and participating in critiques. Self-directed learning is facilitated through materials on Ultra (Bath Spa University's Virtual Learning Environment) and other web-based resources. Students also have access to the specialist art and design library.

Careers:

Graduates of this program become graphic designers, art directors, illustrators, animators, and interactive media designers. They work across the full range of the creative media industry, including advertising, motion graphics, photography, and digital and print publishing.

Other:

• The program offers an international study trip to first and second-year students, with past destinations including New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Cuba, Iceland, Amsterdam, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Morocco, and Beijing.
• Students have the opportunity to meet and talk with internationally acclaimed designers, illustrators, design writers, and curators in their studios.
• The program includes visits to museums and galleries, as well as annual study day-trips, typically to London, to review key exhibitions.
• The program has good industry links, including a final year personal portfolio review session with established practicing designers and illustrators.
• Students are encouraged to participate in design competitions, with third-year students required to develop one competition brief as part of their final year portfolio.
• Students can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which provides global awareness and an international dimension to their student experience.
• The program is one of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, providing all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.
• Students have access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:
• Specialist technical workshops across all art and design disciplines.
• Studio space for working on projects and refining practice.
• Locksbrook Campus is a Grade II listed building designed by Nicholas Grimshaw, transformed into an innovative, open plan space with technical workshops, flexible studio spaces, and large social areas.

• UK full time: £9,250
• UK part time: £4,625
• International full time: £17,585
Professional Placement Year During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students. UK: £1,850 International: £3,517