Program Overview

Graphic Design

BA (Hons)

Overview

The Graphic Design BA (Hons) course at Oxford Brookes University is designed to push the boundaries of graphic design, exploring its problem-solving solutions and ethics. Students will develop a portfolio of work, applying their talent in multiple creative and experimental ways, and learning a range of analogue and digital techniques.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Ranked 3rd in the Guardian Graphic Design subject league ranking 2025
• Live briefs with external and in-house clients provide real-world experience
• Focus on ethical practice and sustainability
• Opportunities to work with recycled materials and explore environmental costs of 21st-century design
• Development of technical, critical, and conceptual skills highly valued by the creative industries
• University-wide language programme available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students

Course Details

Course Structure

• Year 1: General grounding in the theories, practices, and processes of graphic design
• Year 2: Developing personal voice and producing innovative and imaginative solutions
• Year 3 (placement year): Optional career development placement
• Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement): Final negotiated practice, collaboration, and entrepreneurial practice

Learning and Teaching

• Project-led and practice-based
• Professional studio environment
• Visiting industry professionals
• Live projects with real clients

Assessment

• 100% coursework
• Final year prepares students for employment, self-employment, or further study

Study Modules

Year 1

• Critical Thinking: Research skills & methods
• Design Practice: Principles
• Design Process: Strategies & Techniques
• Critical Thinking: Theory & Practice
• Design Process: Context, Communication and Audience
• Design Practice: Application

Year 2

• Critical Thinking: Design & Society
• Design Practice: Integrated Projects 1
• Visual System
• Design Process: Issues, Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Design Practice: Integrated Projects 2
• Professional Practice

Year 3 (placement year)

• Career Development Placement

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

• Final Negotiated Practice
• Collaboration
• Entrepreneurial Practice
• Professional Practice

Careers

• Animation
• Social, digital, and editorial design
• Campaign and identity design
• Branding consultancies
• Digital design
• Illustration
• Publishing
• Advertising
• Freelance work
• Roles such as publisher, creative director, animator, art director, curator, type designer

Entry Requirements

• UCAS Tariff Points: 112
• A Level: BBC
• IB Points: 30
• BTEC: DMM
• GCSE: Grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English
• Digital portfolio of an appropriate standard
• Interview with a member of staff from the programme

Tuition Fees

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module
• Home (UK) sandwich (placement): £1,700
• International full time: £16,750
• International sandwich (placement): £1,700

Funding Your Studies

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Additional Costs

• Art materials: From £100
• Personal laptop: £
• Printing costs: £80-100
• Adobe Creative Suite: Typically £16 per month
• Print/binding costs: From £30
• Books: £20-60 per book
• Accommodation fees: £94-265 per week
• Graduation costs: Typically £0-200
• Travel costs: From £10