Graphic Design (Full-time) (BA Hons)
Immerse yourself in the potential of words and images that is central to our creative vision on BA(Hons) Graphic Design.
Graphic design touches our lives with a diversity like no other medium – it guides, instructs, entertains, provokes and influences us as we commute through, consume and consider the world around us. Indeed, it is this timely need for human understanding and questioning that underpins much of our teaching programme.
We embrace the new and celebrate the old – led by the requirements of the challenge at hand, the recognition of our audience and the formulation of an appropriate dialogue with which to transmit the messages of our clients. Digital technology sits happily with inky fingers and tactility, often combining powerfully and sometimes raising philosophical or contextual debate.
Essential principals of typography, format, layout, information navigation and core software skills are embedded in our project challenges, but your unique visual voice and playfulness is of equal importance. Smaller group sizes make for a vibrant dynamic in which each individual student is encouraged to pursue their own path rather than follow the herd.
Essential design principles such as typography, format, layout, information navigation, branding, sustainable packaging, and promotional design, along with core software skills, are embedded in our project challenges; however, your unique visual voice and playfulness are of equal importance. In addition to mastering these creative skills, you will delve into emotive design, ensuring that your work resonates emotionally with the target audience.
Smaller group sizes make for a vibrant dynamic in which each individual student is encouraged to pursue their own path rather than follow the herd. The staff team are design obsessives, and we love to share our passion in a supportive, friendly and lively studio atmosphere. We encourage the development of your verbal communication alongside the visual, producing graduates who can speak confidently about their work, articulate their approach to visual problem-solving and announce their aspirations.
We recognise the critical future focus of our students upon industry and careers. Portfolio building is a key part of your journey, as you gain practical experience through live briefs and professional practice. Workshops, collaborations, and visiting professionals will provide insight into the world of work. You will learn how to navigate the balance between digital design, print, and motion design, incorporating imagery effectively in your projects.
Alongside the technical, we also stress the importance of ethical awareness, cultural awareness, and historical awareness in the world of design, encouraging you to consider the broader impact of your work. Through these experiences, you will develop a solid business understanding and technique understanding, preparing you for real-world design challenges. You will also explore Design and Screen Cultures, reflecting on how visual communication shapes and responds to society. Your destination might add to our extensive list, including Apple, Adidas, Lego, Nike, Pepsi and Sky to name just a few.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Tuition Fees 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Graphic Design course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving design industry. Through a combination of practical experience, theoretical understanding, and industry engagement, you will develop a comprehensive portfolio and become an industry-ready professional.
In your first year, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of graphic design. You will learn about design principles, typography, imagery, and print. This year focuses on building creative skills and practical experience through hands-on projects. You will also start developing your portfolio, which is essential for showcasing your work.
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The second year enhances your understanding of graphic design, with an emphasis on branding, user experience for web design, and the social impact of visual communication. The second year also aims to strengthen your problem-solving abilities through analytical and practical skills. Collaboration becomes a crucial component as you engage with challenging briefs, providing you with valuable real-world insights.
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In your final year, you will refine your design abilities and focus on producing a professional portfolio. This year emphasises professional practice and preparing you for the industry with advanced projects incorporating cultural and ethical awareness. You will engage with Graduate Portfolio projects and have opportunities to showcase your work to potential employers, ensuring you graduate as an industry-ready professional.
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Course Page Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Facilities & Exhibitions
Facilities & Exhibitions
The Graphic Design programme is well supplied with the latest Apple computers and professional software, which are regularly renewed and updated. We are fortunate to have a fantastic working space for our students with a specific studio for our third years.
This annual exhibition is a highlight of the Swansea College of Art calendar, where students from all creative courses display their final projects.Meet our Graphic Design students who graduated in 2024.
Meet our Students
News
News
Further information
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We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design, and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. To assess student suitability for their chosen course, we arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
Our standard offer for a degree course is 120 UCAS tariff points. We expect applicants to have a grade C or above in English Language (or Welsh) at GCSE level, together with passes in another four subjects. Plus, we accept a range of Level 3 qualifications, including:
- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, plus one GCE A-Level in a relevant academic subject
- Three GCE A-Levels or equivalent
- UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
- UAL L3 Applied General Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
- UAL L3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.
- UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology.
- BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject
- International Baccalaureate score of 32
- Other relevant qualifications can be considered on an individual basis
Qualifications are important. However, our offers are not solely based on academic results. If you don’t have the required UCAS points, please contact the courses admissions tutor or email artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk. We can consider applicants based on individual merit, exceptional work, and/or practical experience.
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Assessment is carried out through coursework. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module with summative assessment taking place at the end of a module. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course which includes amongst others:
Informal tutorials, formal tutorials, group critiques, one-to-one meetings, exhibitions and presentations. All these assessments are supported by staff, and students are guided through each learning process.
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Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, art and design students will likely incur additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and printing.
Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.
A basic art and design kit will cost approximately £100, but you may well already have much of the equipment required, so check with us first. Although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework, you may wish to bring your own digital devices. Again, please check with us first before making a purchase.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
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Study Abroad
Students can also take up the opportunity to study for a semester in Europe, the USA or Canada.
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One of the wonderful aspects of Graphic Design is the fact that the skills are transferable to other professions. Design can offer many opportunities.
Here is a list of what our students are now doing:
- Graphic Designers
- Art Directors
- Motion Graphic Designers
- Print Managers
- Festival Designers
- Football League Designers
- Travel Design
- Hotel Design
- Web Designers
- User Interface Design
- Toy Design
- Even a Design Tailor!
Companies where students are working:
- Apple
- Saatchi and Saatchi
- Fitch
- Sky Creative
- Sky Sports
- British Science Museum
- Nike
- Lego
- Conran Design
- Tigerprint
- Oxford University Press
- Manchester United Football
- Aston Villa Football
- Barclays Bank
- Waters
- SapentNitro
- Stag and Hare Design
- Blue Stag Studio
- Engima Design Solutions
- Dirty Little Serfis
- W12 Studios
- Dr Organic
- Icon
- Swansea City Football
- Ontrac Agency