Arts University Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Arts University Plymouth is an arts university for the 21st century, preparing students who are uniquely placed to provide creative solutions to the complex global challenges of a changing world. Formerly known as Plymouth College of Art, we were granted full university title in Spring 2022. We are now the city of Plymouth’s first and only specialist arts university, allowing us to offer our students a dynamic and unique learning experience. In May 2022 we were awarded the Best Small or Specialist University at the 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards, coming top in a list of well-respected specialist UK universities, based on unbiased and honest reviews from students across the UK, in a category that highlights the quality of our provision as a specialist creative university. **There’s never been a more exhilarating time to study graphic design as a discipline, as companies strive to cultivate culture and connect with their audience in new and unexpected ways. Discover what it takes to influence public conscience, capture imagination and provoke discussion through effective visual communication.** On this course you’ll become part of a new breed of professional designers and communicators – empowering brands, inspiring community action on a global scale and taking timeless traditional methods of practice and merging them with more contemporary approaches. If you’re interested in the role of graphic design as a vehicle for change and idea transfer, this degree will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to succeed at the forefront of industry. From print publications to large-format advertising, user experience to data visualisation, you will learn how to make your ideas an online and offline reality. Early on you will be encouraged to adopt the mindset of a design professional grounded in a critical awareness of societal and cultural contexts. With the support of our expert academics and industry-practising technicians, you will forge your own professional journey within an ever-evolving international landscape of motion, print, imagemaking, illustration and social and interactive media design. You’ll learn how to respond to current design needs, from research and concept through to prototype and design, strategising packaging and campaigns that inform, entertain and persuade. Your studies will also equip you with progressive problem-solving skills needed by future employers, addressing themes of ecological sustainability, emerging technologies and user-centred design. The content of this course has been designed in close consultation with industry professionals so that you can be confident your learning will future-proof you for a dynamic and competitive job market. Our award-winning students have been celebrated through international competitions, gaining internships and industry recognition from D&AD (best in show), Sky Arts, New Designers, JDO RAW, Creative Conscience and South West Design Award. Your studies will also be underpinned by our enviable programme of visiting lecturers. Recent industry contributors to the course include: Getty Images, Mother London, Design Bridge, Bellow Studio Bristol, Little Brown, Edenspiekermann, Hoefler&Co, Dalton Maag, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Radim Malinic, B&B Studio, Home Bristol, me&dave, NoDesign Paris, Atlantic Youth Creative Hubs, Saatchi and Anthony Burrill. Our graduates either go on to establish their own freelance practices or collaborative studios, or find rewarding work as in-house designers in publishing, branding and consultancies. Whether you aspire to work for an independent studio, advertising agency, household name brand or for yourself – a world of opportunity awaits you on our Graphic Design degree.
Modules
Our three-year programme includes guest lectures from renowned speakers and visits to start up agencies culminating in a major exhibition of work on a national platform in London. You’ll gain skills and knowledge while developing your creativity and understanding of the wider professional context. You will also get the chance to exercise your entrepreneurial ambitions and work directly with live clients and global design studios, and generate your own saleable design projects. Our graduates do fantastic things - from creating designs for The Rolling Stones and Katy Perry to working with Wu-Tang Clan and Nine Inch Nails.
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W214
- Institution code:
- P65
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We will look at your application on an individual basis, but you must evidence 120 Level 4 credits from another HEI
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available
International applicants
Plymouth is the largest city in the county of Devon, and the safest big city in south-west England, listed in the top ten safest cities in the UK. The city has excellent travel links via car, train and ferry, with direct train services to London Paddington and the rest of the country and easy access to three nearby airports (Bristol, Newquay and Exeter). Plymouth is the gateway to the South West of England and is approximately 3 hours from London by train. The best airport to fly into is London Heathrow, which has a direct rail line to Paddington station. Our dedicated international team will be able to support you throughout your application and enrolment with us, giving you expert advice and guidance on everything you need, from accommodation to what to do once you arrive in the UK.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
Your application will tell us about your qualifications and previous experience, but studying the arts is about more than can be captured on forms. We encourage you to visit the university, so that you can see our facilities, meet our teaching and technical staff, and discuss any other queries you may have; however we appreciate this may not be possible, and are happy to talk to you via an online platform (such as Google Meet or similar). We accept a range of international qualifications and will look at each application individually.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
If your application meets our entry requirements, we’ll invite you to submit your portfolio, so that we can review your work and find out more about your creative potential. You will have the opportunity to submit your portfolio digitally, or in person at one of our Applicant Experience Days. At an Applicant Experience Day, you'll also get the chance to discuss your portfolio with a member of our academic team.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS (Level B2):overall score of 6.0 with minimum scores Listening: 5.5, Speaking: 5.5, Reading: 5.5, Writing: 5.5 |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Integrated Skills in English II (Level B2), minimum grades required: Reading: Pass Listening: Pass |
| PTE Academic | 50 | PTE Academic (Level B2), minimum grade required: Listening: 50, Reading: 50, Writing: 50, Speaking: 50 |
Click here to find out the most up-to-date information on our English Language requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £16500 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £16500 | 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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Arts University Plymouth
Tavistock Place
Plymouth
PL4 8AT