Overview

Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design course is ranked first in London for "Learning Opportunities" (NSS 2023). Our  university degree in graphic design blends traditional visual communication with emerging technologies. The programme encourages experimental thinking from the beginning. It provides a space to work with others which is fundamental to working as a graphic designer in any industry.

Comprehensive Skill Development. Develop a range of graphic design skills including practical, conceptual, theoretical, social, and commercial knowledge. Study editorial and print design, typography, web and app design, as well as broader visual communication practices such as studio photography, moving image, 3D prototyping and animation
Practical and Theoretical Understanding. You will gain an understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of graphic design processes.
Creative Community Building. Through collaborative projects and workshops, you will expand your knowledge base. You will contribute to the development of a dynamic creative community and learn how to have a successful graphic design career.

Course modules

This graphic design foundation year combines practical skill-building with theoretical knowledge to prepare you for a career in graphic design. You'll get an overview of practical, studio-based and workshop skills. You'll visit museums, galleries, and cultural sites in London. You'll learn about the context of art and design and your place in it as a graphic design student.

Develop the skills you need to confidently navigate your future career. You’ll engage in real-world professional activities like networking simulations, mock interviews, and digital branding exercises, supported by industry guest speakers and career coaches. Practical sessions will sharpen your communication, research, and critical thinking abilities, while workshops will guide you in building a digital portfolio to strengthen your employability. Alongside hands-on experience, you’ll map your career goals and reflect on your progress, ensuring you leave with a clear, personalised development plan. This is your chance to take control of your professional journey with expert support every step of the way.

Build the academic and professional skills you need for success in creative and technology industries. You’ll develop key study techniques, from effective note-taking and research to academic writing and digital communication. Through workshops, tutorials, and practical tasks, you’ll boost your confidence as an independent learner and strengthen your ability to plan, organise, and deliver assignments. You’ll also learn how to manage your time effectively, reference sources correctly, and apply your skills in real-world contexts. Guided by academic staff and supported by online resources, you’ll create a solid foundation for excelling both at university and in your future career.

Strong numeracy and data-handling skills are vital in creative industries. In this module, you’ll learn how to interpret graphs, solve problems using digital tools like spreadsheets, and present numerical information clearly. Practical exercises build your confidence with real-world scenarios, supporting your wider academic and professional development. By focusing on rational problem-solving and applied data skills, you’ll strengthen your ability to work independently and collaboratively on future creative projects that demand critical analysis.

Understanding how media messages are created and interpreted is essential in today’s digital world. This module introduces you to key frameworks for analysing visual media, while also building your ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively. You’ll design an academic poster using professional software, develop critical thinking around cultural differences, and practise both oral and written communication for academic and industry contexts. A creative, skills-focused approach ensures you gain a strong foundation for your degree and professional journey.

Developing a personal, critical approach to art and design practice is the focus of this module. You’ll complete projects exploring materials, techniques, and visual communication, using research-led processes to underpin your creative decisions. Independent thinking is encouraged as you build a portfolio showcasing your growing expertise. Lectures, studio sessions, and group critiques provide the framework for reflection and skill progression, ensuring you’re ready for the demands of higher-level study in visual arts disciplines.

These Year 1 graphic design modules build essential skills through six core modules: Professional Life develops workplace and professional skills. Practice 1 introduces fundamental creative techniques. Contextual Studies explores fine art history, and Research into Practice establishes theoretical frameworks. The curriculum culminates with Experimentation and Application modules that develop your technical skills.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will begin to recognise the areas for your own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.

Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate the reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement, and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. You will additionally develop knowledge of strategies to advance your own physical intelligence through 'lifestyle' and 'self-care' approaches to inform their health and wellbeing.

Having acquired understanding of the key developmental areas, you will have opportunity to join in-house activities as a trainee, mentored and supervised by students from higher years. In this position you will learn and begin to apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligences developed elsewhere in your studies (and from external activities) as required in the workplace, namely cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, motivation, ethical decision-making, managing your audience, coordinating with others, negotiation, creativity, active listening, attention, problem-solving, research, synthesis and analysis.

This module serves as a rigorous introduction to creative practice, an overview of fundamental skills that will enable experimentation and application, and the development of your own working practice. The module aims to provide you with an introduction to practical and critical study, to understand the role of research in creative practice and in supporting the development of creative projects. The approach aims to imbue an experimental and open-minded attitude that enhances levels of production and strengthens adaptability, personal confidence and the ability to creatively solve visual ideas. Through experimental and production of work, you will begin to understand your work in relation to research and feel empowered. The module allows students to discuss and develop their work with the help of group critiques and views of others in the enhancement of ideas through to creative outcomes.

At the end of the module, you will be able to begin to self-manage the development of a creative practice and to disseminate ideas.

Contextual Studies in the first term equips you to understand the history of fine art, and its relevance today. The module comprises thematic lectures, seminars, screenings and field trips as well as keystone research and writing skills such as the use of citation, referencing and academic integrity appropriate to undergraduate study. The module content will support the development of your practical work on the adjoining modules. At the end of the module, you will have developed the skills for analysing and contextualising your own work, and that of your peers.

You will begin to establish an intellectual framework within which you can begin to understand a relationship between theory and your own practice. You will begin to contribute critically in the seminars, in relation to contemporary and historical research methodologies. The module is supported by one-to-one tutorials. At the end of the module, you would have developed the skills for analysing and contextualising your own work, to be applied further in the second year of your study. The outcome of this module is both a presentation of your practice or research area and a written work.

The lectures are complemented by tutor-led discussions focusing on student work in progress, interrogating the practical work within the context established by the lectures in order to promote deeper understanding and extend creative ambition.

This module introduces you to a further range of processes and practices, skills and knowledge, through a series of workshops, projects and electives to extend your practice.

Technical introductions and workshops enable you to broaden the scope of your skills and practice, as well as specific workshops pertinent to contemporary processes and methods, including a range of analogue and digital tools.

These skills and processes are introduced and discussed in relation to the development of a visual language applicable to contemporary fine art, graphic design, illustration, photography and animation practice.

The module allows you to present your work to audiences, testing your ideas and concepts, and receiving feedback feeding forward to your practice and to level 5 of study. Cross-disciplinary exhibitions are encouraged as well as inter-disciplinary discourse.

The module Practice into Research supports the module and allows you to contextualise your practice in the form of a presentation of your work.

This Year 2 graphic design programme builds upon foundational skills, advancing you towards specialised creative practice. The Professional Life module teaches you workplace skills through working on client briefs and within the industry. Practice 2 encourages risk-taking and the development of your personal style. Contextual Studies and Research into Practice enhance the critical analysis of contemporary art and design within broader contexts.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance is increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will help you apply several skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will advance the areas identified at level 4 for your personal and professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence) through taught and workshop activities.

Through engagement with the Career Passport, you will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘self-care’ approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.

You can select in-house microbusiness/ life briefs and commissions to join in the role of ‘producer’. In this position you will take on a specific production role, working collaboratively with peers and academic staff on a live project. You will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligence learnt elsewhere in your studies (and external development) required in the workplace. In addition to the intelligence developed in the level 4 Mental Wealth module, you will also focus on service orientation, self-discipline & management, reaction & response time, cognitive & muscle memory, managing stress, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, research, synthesis & analysis.

Main topics of study:

The module will enable you to apply and develop further a variety of skills-based competencies explored at level 4. They include self-awareness and regulation; mindfulness; emotional resilience; motivation; ethical decision-making; active listening; self-discipline and management; attention; reaction and response time; cognitive and muscle memory; managing stress; physical resilience; and subject knowledge. You will rehearse and apply these skills in your creative practice modules. You will apply and develop new competencies including cognitive flexibility; managing an audience; co-ordinating with others, negotiation; creativity; leadership and entrepreneurship; service orientation; critical thinking; complex problem-solving; research synthesis and analysis.

Working on client briefs/competitions/commissions to a professional outcome that meets the needs of the client/commissioner/audiences
Considering your practice through project work that will have a positive social impact on the wider society
Attending and engaging in the cluster employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the Art and Design Industry. The Detour Ahead programme includes a week of interdisciplinary practitioners talking about their route to professional success. The week also includes professional practice knowledge such as copyright and licensing, freelancing, and tax; giving the level 5 students more in-depth understanding to apply for your own professional life.
Application of creative coding for visual practitioners
Performing roles and responsibilities of creative teams including communication, co-ordinating with others, negotiation; creativity; leadership and entrepreneurship; critical thinking; complex problem solving; research synthesis and analysis.
Developing and editing creative industries CV and cover letter and the format and tone of this for potential work placements and experience over summer break between levels 5 and 6
Creation of a digital public profile

The module enables you to expand on the skills and knowledge from level 4, encouraging you to take risks, try new things, and not to be afraid of learning through mistakes and failure to develop your practice. This, in turn, will help you to begin to define your individual approach to fine art, fine art technology, graphic design, design interaction, illustration, animation and photography.

The emphasis of this module will be on research and the development of a body of references that supports practice-based outcomes, supported by the Contextual Studies module.

At Contextual Studies Level 5, you will consolidate and continue to advance the theories and research methodologies introduced at Level 4. In addition, you will begin to build a critical thinking and understanding of contemporary art and design production, dissemination and reception within an expanded field. By addressing the historical, political, economic, social, environmental and ethical aspects of art and design, this module aims to equip you with the main discussions concerning these issues, and the space to test your understanding of them about art and design practice (your own, and that of your peers).

The module develops your advanced conceptual skills and analytical abilities, research and writing skills appropriate to the study of art and design at this level, feeding directly into key studio projects across the year so that the research methodologies we develop may be tested and deeper connections between practice and theory explored.

The module is further supported by opportunities for first-hand encounters with visual art and design in London art galleries, museums and art institutions.

The module continues to build your critical thinking and understanding of contemporary art and design production, dissemination and reception within an expanded field. The module aims to equip you with the space to test your understanding of theories and debates in relation to and reference to your own work and practice.

You will draw connections between theoretical approaches and your own practice in the form of a written piece of work/ document.

At the end of the module, you will produce a 200-word critical rationale in preparation for your choice of a level 6 research into practice route.

The module builds on the technical processes introduced through workshops and technical demonstrations at Level 4, focusing on developing your advanced technical skills and locating your work in relevant professional and creative contexts. The module equips you to experiment with and make appropriate use of materials, processes, and technologies, showing an understanding of quality standards and attention to detail.

The module delivery includes advanced workshops/masterclasses by tutors who are working in the industry /industry connections/ visits to industry or e.g. professional production companies.

The module supports the development of work in other level 5 modules.

The module will allow you to develop your practice as an artist, design thinker, illustrator, animator and photographer.

The module develops an individual working practice supported by group seminars and one-to-one tutorials. It introduces you to working collaboratively via the presentation of work at the end-of-year showcase.

You will expand on your skills and knowledge from level 4, encouraging you to take risks, try new things, and not be afraid of learning through mistakes and failure to develop your practice. At the end of the module, you will be able to begin to self-manage the development of a creative practice, install and exhibit your work, and disseminate ideas to audiences.

The module will prepare you to undertake an independent project in fine art, fine art technology, graphic design, design interaction, illustration, animation, and photography in level 6.

The emphasis of will be to provide a distinctive area of study appropriate to the work-based focus. The internship undertaken should show as much integration as possible of the abilities across academic modules already completed. This may vary from one student to the next, and the internship will ideally be tailored to the interests and aspirations of the student, whether they are currently employed in the Industry or not, but ultimately meet the needs of employers. The subject discipline may vary widely, however the emphasis should be on applying existing knowledge and skills in work place rather than new knowledge.

This Year 3 graphic design programme focuses on professional preparation and independent practice development. The Professional Life module positions you as "managers" of collaborative projects. We encourage participation in industry competitions like the D&AD New Blood Awards. Practice 3 emphasises self-directed work, allowing you to define your own creative direction. You finish with a two-part Independent Major Project, where you develop, produce, and exhibit professional-quality work in a public showcase.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to apply the full range of skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will advance the areas identified at level 5 for your own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence) through taught and workshop activities.

Through engagement with the Career Passport, you will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to further develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘self-care’ approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.

You will have the opportunity to select in-house microbusiness/life briefs and commissions to join in the role of ‘manager’. In this position, you will oversee the successful operation of the enterprise, coach and mentor students new to the programme and lead those working in ‘producer’ roles. Working collaboratively with peers and academic staff, you will ensure the effective delivery of a live project by managing people and physical resources. In doing so you will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligence learnt elsewhere in your studies (and from external activities) required in the workplace.

You will have the opportunity to enter external facing industry / live briefs such as D&AD New Blood Awards, AOP Student Awards, Sony student competition, Lensculture, Life Framer etc. in order to leverage your raise and improve your employment prospects.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, designers, illustrators, animators and photographers.

The module does this by introducing choice. We ask you to reflect their idea of what your own practice might be, filling gaps of knowledge or extending their skill set. It's about you setting the terms and direction of travel, exploring in an extensive and critical way.

The work in this module will be developed through extensive research and practical testing of ideas and processes, informed by critical, contextual, historical, conceptual, economic, social and ethical research.

Self-critique and responsiveness to the views of others is important part of the module in the development of your ideas and proposal.

At the end of the module you will have proposed and refined your own agenda for term 2 negotiated body of work to be presented at the degree showcase at the end of the academic year.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, graphic designers, illustrators, animators and photographers. You will produce an independent negotiated project, that enables you to work towards your own agenda and own it. The module allows you to develop and apply advanced creative processes to a professional outcome showcased at a public exhibition of the work at the University. This readies you for your next objective; employment or postgraduate study.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, graphic designers, illustrators, animators and photographers. During part B of the Independent Major Project, you will finalise the production of the independently negotiated project, culminating in a presentation at the degree showcase.

The module allows you to develop and apply advanced production methods to a professional outcome showcased at a public exhibition of the work at the University. Each student will contribute towards the planning, production and curation of the Degree Showcase. This readies you for your next objective; employment or postgraduate study.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive of your discipline and respond to differentiated assessment needs. The graphic design, illustration and animation Research into Practice route is a group research project, that responds to the working practices and visual culture of designers, illustrators and animators.

The Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation Research into Practice module is a project that aims to test all of the research methods and critical thinking skills you have acquired from levels 4 and 5, and contribute them to a group research project that is informed by a shared subject (which is negotiated annually). As well as demonstrating through writing and discussion a level analysis of visual and theoretical subjects appropriate to your final year of study, the aim of this module is to augment academic practice (research, writing, discussion, presentations) with material research based on studio practice (experimentation, skill development, iterative design and illustrative processes and techniques).

As individuals, you will present your response to the shared research subject together with a supporting document that captures the key research, analysis and argumentation that links theory to your own design, animation or illustration practice. You will also produce a final outcome based on this presentation, which is public-facing and utilises appropriate media. Each student's response will depend on their position as a graphic designer/illustrator/ animator who is aware of key design, illustration and animation concepts and who understands their responsibilities in contemporary society.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive of your discipline and respond to differentiated assessment needs. The Extended Research project route is aimed as a specific route to those fine art, fine art technology, illustration, graphic design, design interaction, animation and photography students whose professional practice aims are not covered e.g. the Global Photography (documentary in nature) and Contemporary Practice in Fine Art (assessed by an exhibition).

The Extended Research Project route allows you to contextualise your practice through the study of an area of art and design or of a subject that provides potential content for your practical work.

You will develop skills in negotiating and making use of research resources, formulate a research proposal and plan a research strategy. You will be expected to demonstrate an ability to synthesise and analyse ideas and apply them constructively to understanding your chosen subject while, at the same time, developing knowledge which will contextualise and support your own practice. You will also gain skills in writing and presentation. The outcome will be a written project, which articulates the findings of your enquiry. The key here is that you develop a study of an area of art and graphic design or of a subject that provides content for your practical work.

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

Entry requirements

Degree: 112 UCAS points

Degree with foundation year: 64 UCAS points

What makes this course different

1st in London

Our Design Studies courses ranked 1st in London for “Learning Opportunities” (National Student Survey 2023, Results published 10 August 2023)

See full NSS survey results

Competitive edge

Our graphic design students have competed at an international level at the D&AD Impact awards.

International exposure

Interact with postgraduates from overseas universities. Previously we have worked on a live project with Iowa State University students and on a social-design project based in Detroit.

Course options

Degree

UCAS code: W216

Home Applicant ,
Full time, 3 years
Pound 9535 per year

Apply through Clearing

Home Applicant ,
Part time
pro-rata full time fee

Apply direct

International Applicant ,
Full time, 3 years
Pound 15560 per year

Apply direct

Degree with foundation year

UCAS code: W219

Home Applicant ,
Full time, 4/5 years
Pound 9535 per year

Apply through Clearing

International Applicant ,
Full time, 4/5 years
Pound 15560 per year

Apply direct

Detour Ahead 2025 - Creative Corner with Sherwin Teo

Detour Ahead is a Visual Arts Symposium organised by University of East London, featuring world class designers, artists, curators and creatives.

We caught up with Sherwin Teo, creative at internationally renowned creative agency, Mother on the embracing the weird journey and forging a lucrative career in the arts.

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Your future career

We help develop graphic design graduates who are creative, innovative and are going places. Spending three years tracking multiple projects, solving the logistics of production and negotiating with teams of creatives will prepare you for work within and beyond the subject area.

Industry links

We provide a forum and facilities where staff and graphic design industry experts fuse with students' knowledge, experience and ambition. 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.

Graduate employers

Our graphic design graduates have gone to work for employers such as SPOT Project, the University of East London, HFW (Holman Fenwick Willan LLP), Dawson Group, Fiver and the creative agency, YVMV Studios.

Job roles

You may question yourself and have lots of graphic design-related questions. What does a graphic designer do? How to start a graphic design career?

Our alumni may work in-house for a large company, in a specialist design studio, run their own business or be self-employed across a variety of industries. Some go on to postgraduate studies, while others quickly start to make their names in leading graphic design and advertising agencies, typographic design studios, corporate graphics companies and moving image production houses.

Further study

You could go on to further study and do an MA in Fine Art, Filmmaking, Creative Enterprise or Media and Communication Industries which will help you learn how to work as a graphic design freelancer or entrepreneur. We also offer an MPhil or PhD in the School of Arts and Creative Industries.

I found it extremely helpful to start an internship before graduating, as it helped me refine my career expectations. All the career life coaches from UEL have been amazing, always checking on me throughout the internship and celebrating my career achievements."

Camilla Serini

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. These skills are cornerstones to your university degree in graphic design. Our graphic design courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.
Studying a graphic design course prepares you for success in a dynamic range of creative fields. All of the skills that are learnt on this course will help you to become a graphic designer and understand what graphic designers do day to day.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including:

Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
1-2-1 career coaching services
Careers workshops and employer events
Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered on your graphic design course. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

Work-based projects
Networking and visits to leading organisations
Support in starting a new business
London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

Your learning will involve a blend of activities, from research through practice to reflection. The graphic design course is divided into modules, with each module made up of a set of projects or briefs. These briefs can be compiled over time to produce a growing record of experience and budding expertise.

The graphic design course begins at pace by introducing a wide range of key ideas and their practical applications. You'll learn what graphic designers do in their day-to-day lives whilst gaining a deeper understanding of the course as a whole. This gives way to longer, more in-depth and self-determined projects that cover many processes and conceptual stages. Along the way, you will develop your work via regular feedback sessions, seminars, tutorials and critiques, or 'crits'.

UEL has extensive maker facilities that help you develop to become a graphic designer. Within Architecture and Visual Arts (AVA) there are dedicated spaces for production. These include a fully equipped Risograph printing studio, analogue and digital darkrooms, an immersive green screen studio and a variety of traditional printing. There are also wood, ceramic and metal workshops to further develop your design practice. Digital Fabrication facilities include 3D printing, laser cutting and CAD milling.

As a student, you can loan equipment including photographic kits, projectors and VR headsets.

Further ways you will learn include:

Subject area-wide electives: workshops (such as printmaking, textiles, bookbinding, coding, etc.) ensure students take full advantage of our extensive facilities and highly skilled staff team;

Remote learning: off-campus access to a Virtual Learning Environment; Industry expertise: specialist lectures and visits to/from industry figures, as well as participation in live briefs and competitions;

Culture in London: regular engagement with many of the 250 art institutions and archives that offer ever-changing inspiration for set briefs and self-directed study;

Portfolio development: we help you build strong portfolios and professional outlooks that match your ambitions and personalities and prepare you for the industry.

Guided independent study

We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face, on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.

Academic support

Students are supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Adviser, module leaders, and former and current UEL students. If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the University from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.

Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Workload

Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

approximate percentages for this course are:

Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.

Your timetable

You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.

Class sizes

The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.

How you'll be assessed

Each module in the graphic design degree has a duration of 12 weeks (one term) and always concludes with an assessment point. We provide feedback throughout these 12-week periods with a specific 'Tracking Week' dedicated to this process midway through each term.

For practical modules, your submission will consist of a Learning Journal (the presentation of your development and experience) and a portfolio (the presentation of your practical output). For theoretical modules, you may be asked to produce a piece of academic writing of a given length and a live presentation.

Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.

Enable colour patterns

Campus and facilities

Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.

Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.

Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.

The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

What our students and staff say

UEL's graphic design course 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."

Temidayo Kolawole

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Graphic Design at UEL offers everyone a chance to operate in an economy which is moving further and further into the realms of the creative industries."

Joe Pleass

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

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Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Overview

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Course modules

Mental Wealth and Professional Fitness Core Module

Creative and Technology Industries Study Skills Core Module

Creative and Technology Industries Data Skills Core Module

Media and Communication Skills Core Module

Architecture and Visual Arts in Practice Core Module

Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth) Core Module

Practice 1 Core Module

Contextual Studies 1 Core Module

Research into Practice 1 Core Module

Experimentation and Application 1A Core Module

Experimentation and Application 1B Core Module

Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth) Core Module

Practice 2 Core Module

Contextual Studies 2 Core Module

Research into Practice 2 Core Module

Advanced Experimentation and Applications Core Module

Advanced Practice Core Module

Industrial Sandwich Placement Optional Module

Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth) Core Module

Practice 3 Core Module

Independent Major Project Part A Core Module

Independent Major Project Part B Core Module

Research into Practice 3 – Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation Optional Module

Research into Practice 3 – Extended Research Project Optional Module

Download course specification

Entry requirements

Accepted Qualifications

International Qualifications

Accepted Qualifications

International Qualifications

What makes this course different

1st in London

Competitive edge

International exposure

Course options

Degree

Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Graphic Design BA (Hons), home applicant, full time

Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Graphic Design BA (Hons), home applicant, part time

Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Graphic Design BA (Hons), international applicant, full time

Degree with foundation year

Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Graphic Design BA (Hons), home applicant, full time

Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Graphic Design BA (Hons), international applicant, full time

How to apply

When to apply

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Why choose foundation year?

What you’ll study and gain

A supportive, engaging learning environment

Detour Ahead 2025 - Creative Corner with Sherwin Teo

Your future career

Industry links

Graduate employers

Job roles

Further study

How we support your career ambitions

Career Zone