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Graphic and Media Design at Hereford College of Arts - UCAS

Hereford College of Arts

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant)

Graphic and Media Design

Course options

Course summary

Graphic + Media Design at Hereford College of Arts is for emerging designers who want to communicate ideas with clarity, imagination and impact. You will explore how images, typography, colour, layout and motion work together to shape experiences across print, digital and social platforms. The course encourages experimentation and supports you to develop your own visual language while building the technical and strategic skills used across the design industry. Across three years, you will explore the full range of design practices — from brand identity and editorial design to campaign work, digital products and motion graphics. You will learn to combine conceptual thinking with hands-on craft and digital fluency, working on briefs that strengthen your creativity, confidence and communication skills. You will study in a collaborative studio environment, developing problem-solving abilities and learning how designers contribute to cultural and commercial communication. You will: ● Develop skills in typography, layout, image-making and visual systems. ● Explore brand identity, editorial design, campaign work and motion graphics. ● Build confidence using industry-standard software and production methods. ● Learn how to pitch ideas, respond to briefs and communicate concepts clearly. ● Work on collaborative projects that mirror real communication challenges. ● Produce a portfolio that reflects your personal design voice. FACILITIES You will work in specialist studios equipped with high-spec Macs, Adobe Creative Cloud, printmaking facilities and access to photography, fabrication and digital labs. These spaces support experimentation across print and digital media. Large format Epsom printers, Riso-Graph Printer, 3D and Jesmonite printers, DyeSub Printers and Letterpress and screen-printing workshops, additional software including Apple Final Cut Pro and FIGMA. INDUSTRY LINKS You will learn from practising designers, art directors and creative strategists through talks, workshops and live projects. Students regularly collaborate with brands, agencies, publishers and cultural organisations, gaining experience in responding to real communication challenges and presenting work professionally. Crits, tutorials and visiting practitioner workshops from the likes of Hello Yes London, etal Design and Tomorrowisclosed support the development of your creative identity and professional direction. CAREERS Graduates progress into roles such as graphic designer, brand designer, editorial designer, motion designer, content designer, UX/UI assistant and visual strategist. You will build a portfolio that demonstrates conceptual thinking, technical skill and the ability to work across multiple media - whether freelance, in-house or part of an agency. Former HCA students are working with the likes of Sky Sports, Big Helping and Accept + Proceed. SUSTAINABILITY + ETHICAL PRACTICE You will explore how design can address environmental and social issues, from accessible communication and inclusive visual language to sustainable print and ethical brand storytelling. Put that into practice through real-world projects working with the likes of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Hay Festival Global and UN global design projects. EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES You will be supported to engage with the wider design community through exhibitions, online collaborations and international design networks. These experiences help build confidence and awareness of emerging design practices. Put your work out in the world through D&AD briefs, collaborate across disciplines on Batsford Prize entries and answer open calls for graphic art from the likes of Lucienne Roberts (Design&). For detailed information about the course modules: www.hca.ac.uk/courses/bahons-graphic-media-design

Modules

From your first day at HCA you will work as a creative, developing your skills and your own voice through a series of projects. You will develop your creative practice, practical skills alongside your critical awareness and theoretical knowledge. You will study a range of modules that build your knowledge and confidence and total 120 credits each year. YEAR ONE: Practice in Context 1 (20 Credits), Practice 1 (30), Practice 2 (30), Foundations for Learning (20). Skills 1 (20) YEAR TWO: Practice in Context 2 (20), Practice 3 (30), Practice 4 (30), Professional Practice 1 (20), Skills 2 (20) YEAR THREE: Practice in Context 3 (20), Practice 5 (30), Practice 6 (60), Professional Practice 2 (10)


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
W216
Institution code:
H18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

International applicants

International applicants must be 18 years of age as at the 01 September in the year of entry.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Mature applicants with relevant experience will be considered. Applicants whose first language is not English and require a Student Visa must achieve Level B2 in an approved secure English language test prior to enrolment. For further guidance please visit the UK Visa and immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

You will be invited to share a portfolio of your work related to this course. A selection of 20 images showcasing concepts, inspirations, sketches and finished work which can presented in person or digitally via a PowerPoint presentation or PDF document. You will receive an email with full guidance on this after we have received your application. In some cases, we may contact you to arrange a further chat. Don’t worry, this will be an informal meeting either face-to-face or online, to find out more about you and your work.


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
75%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
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

England £9275 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9275 Year 1
Scotland £9275 Year 1
Wales £9275 Year 1
Channel Islands £9275 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9275 Year 1
International £14630 Year 1

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

In addition to the degree fees, the nature of creative arts practice means you'll need to allow for additional costs, such as the materials you choose to use in your work and for trips to external events & exhibitions. The courses at HCA have been designed to minimise the impact of additional costs; all course leaders have an annual budget with some trips & materials fully funded by the College or heavily subsidised. Typically, a student will choose to spend an additional £250 in the first year, £375 in the second year & £400 in their final year, depending on the nature of their work and materials chosen. We appreciate that not all students can invest the same money in their work, and staff assessing it will not judge work by the cost of resources. The college shop includes many specialist materials at good value and digital equipment can be borrowed from the media stores at no cost to students. Students are offered an optional Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for use outside of college. In the 2023-24 academic year this cost £16.24 per month. NB: Adobe Creative Cloud is provided free to use for any student working within the college. Students on all courses may also have the chance to take part in optional trips that require payments towards their costs. Again, non-attendance will not incur assessment penalties, though trips are designed to help students develop their practice. There is an optional annual cross-course residential trip abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, the trip was a four-day visit to Paris at a cost to students of £425. This fee included a shared dorm room and all travel costs from Hereford to Paris including Eurostar tickets. *Support Available from Hereford College of Arts* The HCA Cash Bursary: is designed to benefit students who are starting Higher Education for the first time; are ordinarily resident in England; the student must be liable to pay the full £9,275 tuition fee for their course and be from a low-income family (£25,000 a year or less). The student must also be in receipt of the full Higher Education Maintenance Loan. Each cash bursary is £1,000 which students receive in their first year only. *Care Leaver Bursary* Care leavers will be offered free accommodation with City Heart at Station Approach accommodation for their first year only. Care leaver students will be able to stay there until the end of their first year (not over the Summer) and will also receive the Cash Bursary of £1,000. Care leaver students will also receive a Care Leaver Bursary of £1,000 in both their second and third year. Evidence of being a care leaver must be in the form of an original letter showing Care Leaver Status from your local authority. *Partner Colleges Progression Bursary* A Progression Bursary of £500 for full-time study or £250 for part-time is available to students from our progression partner colleges*, in their first year only, who have successfully completed a Level 3 or equivalent course within the last 2 academic years and progress on to a degree programme at HCA. *Partner Colleges: Bath College, Belfast Met, Bourneville, South & City College, Cirencester College, City of Bristol College, Coleg y Cymoedd, Dudley College, Evesham College, Gloucestershire College – ALL Campuses, Gower College, Grantham College, Halesowen College, Heart of Worcestershire College, Hereford College of Arts, Herefordshire & Ludlow College, Hereford Sixth Form, Malvern Hills College, Newent Sixth Form, NWRC Derry, NPTC group, Plumpton College, Shrewsbury College, South Gloucestershire & Stroud College, Stratford Upon Avon College, Swindon College & Worcester Sixth Form. *Internal Progression Bursary* All students who have successfully completed a Level 3 course within the last two academic years at HCA and progress to undergraduate study at HCA will be eligible to receive a bursary of £500 for full-time study or £250 for Part-time in their first year only.
Graphic and Media Design at Hereford College of Arts - UCAS