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Graphic Design at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

Graphic design at Edinburgh involves:

  • balancing project guidelines with personal expression
  • the interchange of traditional and contemporary technologies
Our approach Graphic design must:
  • challenge the status quo
  • cross boundaries
  • think backwards from the future
  • develop powerful and novel solutions
Designers should be:
  • observant
  • culturally, ethically and historically aware
  • open
  • understanding
  • receptive
At Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) we encourage bold, lateral thinking and understanding of process, technique and business. Through intense, sustained involvement with the design process, we support you in producing a design that is:
  • innovative
  • emotive
  • enduring
  • aesthetic
We aim to produce skilled, confident and emotive designers equipped for contemporary graphic design demands. Programme benefits
  • You will be encouraged to develop your own individual style and voice. We don’t subscribe to or enforce a house style.
  • You will gain intensive work experience stimulated by the real-life dynamics of agency practice and will be mentored by industry professionals.
  • You will take part in a series of live projects which include collaborations with many influential clients.
  • In your final year, you will have the chance to incorporate your design strengths into a showcase presentation of your work in the Graduate Show.
  • Our staff are practising designers, artists and researchers who share their experience in a hands-on and supportive environment.


How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Application codes

Course code:
W210
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements. Applicants studying Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design will be considered for entry with the following: * Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM * Pearson BTEC Diploma with MM plus one A level at A (or DM plus B at A level) * Pearson BTEC Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A levels at B (or M plus AB at A level) Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design will be considered with Merit. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/500-graphic-design

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/500-graphic-design

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

You need to submit a digital portfolio to show your artistic skill and potential. This portfolio is an important part of the application process for this programme. The portfolio guidance for 2026 entry will be released in August 2025.


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
90%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
EU £38900 Year 1
International £38900 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits . EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Graphic Design at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS