Course summary
BA (Hons) Graphic Design is designed to provide a dynamic, student-centered learning experience. It offers a broad-based approach that integrates specialist professional knowledge with theoretical academic understanding, relevant for a wide range of graduate-level roles and postgraduate study. Through project-based enquiry-led practice, sense-making activities, open-minded experimentation, robust critical thinking, and integrated writing output, we encourage students to build their knowledge of graphic design practice and an understanding of its language and culture at every step. The course benefits from a deep understanding of professional practice, sustained by our passion for conceptually led design projects and co-collaboration with our industry partners and the wider creative sector. The curriculum is informed by industry, and key themes support progressive learning, giving graduates a stronger critical knowledge of self-efficacy, participatory creativity, emerging technologies, and experimentation. Graduates of the programme are highly employable for their creative ideas, design skills, process thinking, and teamwork. We believe that conceptual thinking, resulting from a creative openness to prototyping and exploration, will define the future of graphic design. Thinking through making is core to the course. ‘Bringing ideas to life’ involves taking a concept or thought and turning it into a tangible reality or action, expressed through creativity, innovation, and craft. This approach promotes design practice as a conversation, not a monologue, where students are encouraged to work collaboratively on set and industry-led projects. This creative experience is at the heart of graphic design, building strong studio communities and wider networks while mirroring industry practice. Co-creation helps to re-frame ideas, challenge assumptions, and build trust and empathy for the ideas and experiences of others. The curriculum embraces the ongoing advancement of innovative technologies and addresses design challenges brought on by climate emergency, social injustice, economic inequality, and cultural development. Students learn how to respond ethically, with curiosity, and strategically to new challenges and opportunities by identifying the essential themes relevant to each unit. Our aim is to inspire future designers to become responsible practitioners, gain core conceptual and technical skills, and understand the immense potential for graphic design to influence and shape the way people see, think, and behave in the world. At all levels, students participate in activities such as study trips, events, set and ‘live’ projects, and designer-led workshops, all designed to integrate professional and transferable skills. This integration helps students become more confident, empathetic designers positioned within the context of ‘design practice.’ Studio and cultural visits, attendance at the portfolio ‘Network Event,’ and placement options inform career ambitions and support the transition from the course into industry or further study. Distinctive features of the course • Belief in the power of design to evoke emotions and create meaningful connections to change the way people see, think, and behave in the world. • Integrates experimental, speculative, iterative approaches to gathering insights, defining problems, and identifying creative opportunities. • Empowers students with the confidence to advocate for change and to express their creativity in an authentic way. • Uses co-collaboration principles to design for change and enhance user engagement. • Embeds a wide range of specialist, professional and transferable skills throughout the course. • Encourages networking opportunities and significant skill development through interaction with industry partners at the forefront of the sector.
Assessment method
Coursework and practical work
How to apply
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:
- W210
- Institution code:
- A66
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Arts University Bournemouth
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBC - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Scottish Higher - CCCCCD
T Level - M
Please see AUB's website for a full list of our entry requirements, including tariff points where applicable. We are happy to accept a wide range of qualifications, including but not limited to: A Levels, BTEC Extended Diploma, OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma(s), Access to HE courses, Scottish Highers, IB Diploma Programme, Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. We can also accept many EU and International qualifications. See website for details. Email Admissions ([email protected]) with any queries about entry requirements. We welcome applicants who are currently studying or who have gained a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and this qualification meets our level three entry requirements. This is a recommended qualification for many of our courses but it is not a compulsory qualification. Other relevant and equivalent Level 3 qualifications are considered on an individual basis and we are happy to accept applicants with a combination of Level 3 qualifications. Please check your qualifications using UCAS Tariff calculator and remember we are looking for the equivalent of 3 A levels if you are combining Level 3 qualifications. AUB tailors its offers to the qualifications an applicant is studying and looks for applicant to be studying a relevant creative subject. AUB makes offers based on up to three A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications with the most UCAS Tariff points attached to them to give applicants the best chance possible at achieving our required tariff (120 UCAS Tariff points in most cases).
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
Once your application has been reviewed admissions will request a link to a digital portfolio for review by the course team.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Academic IELTS or UKVI IELTS with 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, speaking and listening) |
TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | With 80 overall and a minimum score of 18 in writing, listening, and reading and 19 in speaking. Please note the home version of this test is not accepted. |
Cambridge English Advanced | C | Minimum grade C |
PTE Academic | 64 | With 64 overall and a minimum of 59 in each component |
Cambridge English Proficiency | C | Cambridge C2 Proficiency English exam with a minimum grade of C. |
Trinity ISE | Pass | Level III or level IV with a pass. |
English language requirements
https://aub.ac.uk/international/english-language/english-language-requirements
Student Outcomes
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
EU | £17950 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £17950 | 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
Provider information
Arts University Bournemouth
Wallisdown
Poole
BH12 5HH