Skip navigation
Design for Publishing at Norwich University of the Arts - UCAS

Course summary

OVERVIEW BA (Hons) Design for Publishing at Norwich University of the Arts is a genuinely unique and specialist graphic design course in which you will develop an expertise for typography, page design and layout, super/spatial graphics, image creation and art-direction, as applied to all manner of printed and digital applications such as books, magazines, newspapers, journals, websites, etc. There are almost no courses in the UK that offer such a clear focus in this area, which is why this course has a great reputation for producing uniquely trained graphic designers who can work in the publishing sector, and beyond it. KEY FEATURES

  • Share your first year with other graphics students, and continue to work alongside each other, allowing for a unique cross fertilisation of knowledge, skills and experience
  • Develop skills in typography, printing, layout and page design, photography, design research, idea generation, visual narrative and story telling
  • Learn about colour and ink, special print finishes, paper stocks, formats, binding methods, as well as design for screen applications
  • Become adept at understanding and deciphering a brief, researching and generating ideas, problem-solving, developing the most successful concept, and executing and presenting the final work
  • Create, source or commission image and text content
  • Become familiar with researching a topic and searching for interesting and relevant insights with an eye foremost on content (both text and image based)
  • Assess the qualities and merits of the ideas you have, allowing you to select and refine the best one
  • Your timetable will be punctuated by regular industry talks from some of the highest profile designers, studios and agencies, anywhere in the world
  • Participate in workshops and classes run by external professionals, undertake project briefs initiated and taught by designers from industry, and enter national and international design competitions judged by the design industry
  • Engage with industry through portfolio reviews and surgeries, talks from practising alumni focused on portfolio development and employability, interview practice and graduate portfolio showcase events
YOUR FUTURE Employability and careers are a constant theme through all the units on each year of the course. The most important of all these is the creation and on-going development of your portfolio. The course will provide teaching on how to prepare a portfolio in both digital, social and physical formats, backed-up by exemplars and supported by visiting professionals. You will be asked to consider the design industry in terms of the sectors you wish to work in, and the potential roles that are available to you. You will have the opportunity to create a range of employment focused tools including a CV, email/covering letter and a career overview and strategy. Students from Design for Publishing have been incredibly successful, receiving multiple awards from D&AD New Blood, the YCN Awards, the International Society of Typographic Designers, Penguin Student Awards and the Society of Publication Designers. Competition success is another way in which students gain direct access to the design industry, and many students have secured graduate placement and full-time employment as a direct result of entering and winning design competitions. OUR STUDENTS’ WORK Explore our online Graduate Showcase – celebrating the very best Norwich University of the Arts graduate work. Scroll each reel to explore at nuagradshowcase.com

Modules

You can find more information about the content of the BA (Hons) Design for Publishing course at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/ba-hons-design-publishing/

Assessment method

The University assesses you through the coursework you produce as you complete each unit. Each unit will require you to present a portfolio of work which may include finished pieces of work, written work, your research, and a reflective journal which allows you to evaluate your learning and highlight your strengths and areas for further development. You can find out more information about our assessment methods at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/ba-hons-design-publishing/#assessment


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
W2AD
Institution code:
N39
Campus name:
Norwich University of the Arts
Campus code:
A

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

For Year 2 entry you will need 120 credits at Level 4 from a similar course, or equivalent experience. For Year 3 entry you will need 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5 from a similar course, or equivalent experience.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Norwich welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds. Your application will be primarily assessed through your portfolio and personal statement, so even if you have no formal qualifications or do not meet our typical offers it can still be worth applying. If you are studying at the time of your application and your application is successful it is likely that you will receive a conditional offer. If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications.

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

https://norwichuni.ac.uk/ba-hons-design-publishing/#entry-requirements

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

Once you have applied to BA (Hons) Design for Publishing at Norwich, we will ask you to prepare a portfolio. This will be used to assess your suitability for the course. Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate your passion for the subject and your individual creativity. For more information please visit our website at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/ba-hons-design-publishing/#portfolio-guidance


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
82%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
91%
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 £9250* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250* Year 1
Scotland £9250* Year 1
Wales £9250* Year 1
Channel Islands £9250* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250* Year 1
EU £18000* Year 1
International £18000* 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

These provisional fees are based off the 2024/25 fees and are subject to change.
Design for Publishing at Norwich University of the Arts - UCAS