Program Overview

BA (Hons) International Graphic Design (Top Up)

The BA (Hons) International Graphic Design top-up will support you to think innovatively and respond to global trends in design. The course will expand your critical and conceptual thinking and encourage an understanding of wider global and creative professional design practice, whilst enabling you to develop an individual positioning for your professional design practice.

Course Overview

• The one year programmes offer direct entry into the final year of a Bachelor’s degree to students who have successfully completed a relevant HND (or equivalent), or who have completed the second year of a relevant undergraduate degree, who wish to further develop their knowledge and skills in design.
• Collaboration is at the heart of the course - you will undertake design practice modules with current final year students, work on projects with external industry and academic research partners, and exhibit your final projects as part of our annual Degree Shows events.

Features and Benefits

• This is an ideal degree if you want to top up your existing qualifications and achieve a BA (Hons) degree in just one year.
• Successful completion of the course will also enable those with a high enough grade to join one of Manchester School of Art’s MA programmes
• Opportunity to work alongside a student group with diverse experiences and educational and cultural backgrounds
• Collaborate with current students and industry partners as part of the interdisciplinary Unit X module

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• Teaching Excellence Framework: We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

Course Structure

Year 1

• You will study a series of self-directed options designed to develop a professional portfolio that reflects your individual careers aspirations.
• Your work is supported by a visiting lecture programme that offers a diverse range of perspectives across the whole platform of graphic design practice.

Core Modules

Graphic Design Practice

This module will develop your independent, self-directed study based around graphic design projects that have real-world parallels with the professional designer and/or creative industries.

Unit X

On the third year Unit X, there is a student authored final project leading to a showcase of finished work.

Global Design: Cultures, Contexts and Methods

This module will equip students with a thorough knowledge and understanding into the extensive contexts that impact contemporary international design practice, including social and economic models, individual and societal cultures and global sustainability issues.

Study and Assessment

Study

• Year 1: 40% lectures, seminars or similar; 60% independent study

Assessment

• Year 1: 100% coursework

Entry Requirements

• IELTS score: International students will be required to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5, or an equivalent accepted English language qualification.
• Portfolio: We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application
• UK students: For entry to the Top Up year, we require the submission of a portfolio of creative work and 240 credits earned through recent (up to 2 years) completion of a Foundation Degree, Advanced Diploma, HND (merit or above), the first two years of a Degree or equivalent.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22 leavers, HESA data.

Explore Your Options and Build Sought-After Skills

Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.

Taught by Experts

BA (Hons) International Graphic Design (Top Up) is part of the Manchester School of Art at Manchester Met. Discover more about the school and who you’ll be working with if you choose to study this course.

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) International Interior Design (Top Up)