BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Course overview
Start date
September 2020
Subject area
Art and Design
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus
Course summary
As a future talent of the graphic design industry, we’ll prepare you for the exciting new challenges this field offers. You’ll need the ability to work both individually and as part of a team, making large-scale projects happen and bringing big ideas to life.
To land the job you want in graphic design you’ll need to be a strong visual communicator in the delivery of future products, services and ideas. So we want to provide you with all the tools to experiment but also to explore and invent, as you examine where 21st-century design is heading.
Our expert teachers will help you identify where your potential truly lies. At the University of East London, we’re a team. We’ll value your ideas and we’ll give you the confidence to express and realise them.
We’ll prepare you for a rewarding future career in graphic design by looking at the practical skills involved, as well as giving you a firm grounding in academic theory. At the core of all you’ll study and create, there is an uplifting sense of the spirit of design here. Check out our students' showcase booklets
L'automàtica and G2016.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a BA, you can study this course as an ‘extended’ four-year course. You'll begin with a foundation year which prepares you for a successful transition to the BA degree.
We regularly host exhibitions and talks, to find out more about these and our college please visit our college page.
Admissions 2020: Still Open
Despite coronavirus we are still welcoming applications for September 2020.
Get advice and guidanceAcademic excellence
Our course is becoming known for its excellence. Two of our recent students, for instance, have progressed to the Royal College of Art against remarkable international competition. Check out our student blogs, www.uelgraphicdesign.co.uk and www.uelgoingpublic.co.uk
Career prospects
Companies rate the quality of our graduates highly. Previous students are employed by a variety of businesses, from design and advertising agencies to typographic design studios, leading architectural practices and moving image production houses.
International exposure
You’ll get the chance to interact with international colleagues. Our students have worked alongside postgraduates from overseas universities. This year they have worked on a live project with students from Iowa State University and a social-design project based in Detroit.
Temidayo Kolawole
Graphic Design, BA (Hons), undergraduate
UEL’s Graphic design course is one that embodies the philosophies of past pioneers in the context of today’s graphic design and its advancement. Here it seems we are at the epicentre of creating ideas that will move, influence and shape the world.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,729.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- All nursing and many allied health students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year from the government.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance or contact Student Finance England.
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will automatically be cancelled.
For information visit gov.uk/student-finance
Please note EU students can only apply for their funding using a paper application form.
To download a form visit www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money. Please make sure you also factor in the fees for the visa application and immigration health surcharge when budgeting.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- September 2020
-
Degree
96
New UCAS Points
The portfolio should show evidence of observational drawing, the development of an idea through to a completed illustration, and techniques and processes that you have worked with. We are particularly interested in seeing your sketchbooks / journals to see how you develop your ideas.
At interview you should be prepared to discuss your work, ideas and ambitions. You should also be able to discuss graphic artists, illustrators or animators who influence you.
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL New Beginnings pre-entry course
Overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll learn
We believe graphic design is changing, becoming a bridge to connect people, communities, ideas and identities. Corporate design, for instance, must be responsible to people and communities as well as responding to commercial pressures.
So new ways of working are emerging, and we’ll prepare you, as tomorrow’s designers, to engage with others to consider wider problems and issues.
Graphic designers need to be acutely aware of their roles and responsibilities. That’s why our course will prepare you to understand your subject in relation to other disciplines - principally economics, politics, psychology and ethical issues.
You’ll learn practical skills such as typographic design, classification of typefaces and their uses, and layout design. You’ll also explore book design, print production, advertising media, corporate branding and editorial design.
We’re at the cutting edge of developments in web design, motion graphics, design for social media and for communities. So you’ll examine both 2D and 3D working methodologies and media, too.
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
- Professional Life (Mental Wealth)
- Art & Design Workshops, Processes & Skills
- Art & Design Studio Practice Practise & Portfolio
- Art & Design Specialist Workshops, Processes & Skills
- Art & Design Specialist Studio Practice & Portfolio
- Art & Design Contextual Studies
- Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth)
- Practice 1
- Contextual Studies 1
- Research into Practice 1
- Experimentation and Application 1A
- Experimentation and Application 1B
- Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth)
- Practice 2
- Contextual Studies 2
- Research into Practice 2
- Advanced Experimentation and Applications
- Advanced Practice
- Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth)
- Practice 3
- Independent Major Project Part A
- Independent Major Project Part B
- Research into Practice 3 – Graphic Design & Illustration
- Research into Practice 3 –Extended Research Project
How you'll be assessed
We'll give you feedback throughout all of your practice modules. You'll document and reflect on this feedback and your learning in general in ‘research journals’. We monitor these journals in one-to-one tutorials throughout the learning period before you submit them for marking at the end of the module.
You'll also be given the opportunity to develop assignment tasks. The two main forms of assessment for practice modules are the journal and your portfolio.
Course specification Foundation Year SpecificationHow you'll learn
We work as a winning team in graphic design. “We’re all smarter because we work together,” as our course leader, Tim Foster, puts it.
You’ll be guided by supportive staff who’ve worked at the highest level of design practice. Lecturer Stephen Barrett has worked in the design industry for the past seven years and now runs his own design practice.
You’ll be able to take advantage of our academic team's excellent connections as you improve your skills by undertaking practical work experience.
Our visiting lecturers have included the award-winning film maker Jonathan Glazer, director of notable works in advertising, music videos and films 'Sexy Beast' (2000), 'Birth' (2004) and the critically acclaimed 'Under the Skin' (2013).
They’ve also featured top graphic designers such as Alex Cowper, Sara De Bondt and Jonathan Barnbrook, the one-time Damien Hirst collaborator, who himself was once taught by our own Tim Foster.
We’ll enable you to rehearse your future by providing you with a range of different experiences, including opportunities to study abroad and academic exchanges with great schools in Europe and America.
In 2014, we launched a fully equipped a design studio for our third-year students. It features iMacs, A3 and A4 scanners, laser printers with Riso printers and wall projectors.
And where better to study and create than in the creative hub of east London, with regular studio and agency visits arranged for you?
Check out our student blogs, www.uelgraphicdesign.co.uk and www.uelgoingpublic.co.uk
Your future career
Our course helps develop graduates who are creative, innovative and going places.
Recently, two of our class of 2013, Charlotte Maeva-Perret and Francesco Tacchini, went on to study further at the Royal College of Art, where they're considered to be among the country’s leading young talents.
While some go on to postgraduate studies, others quickly start to make their names in leading design and advertising agencies, typographic design studios, corporate graphics companies and moving image production houses.
One 2012 graduate, Joe Pleass, has already had one of his co-creations selected for permanent exhibition in the design section of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Called OTOTO, it’s a musical invention kit that allows you to make anything from a drum kit of saucepans to origami that sing when you touch them!
Joe, who’s also managed exhibitions at Tate Britain and Tate Modern, never looked back after going on one of our exchange visits with students in Minnesota.
Such placements, exchange trips and ‘live’ projects with professional designers are all geared to provide you with the experience that will prepare you for a career in graphic design.
Initially, that could be, for instance, as an assistant or freelance designer, an assistant art editor, magazine designer or advertising creative.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
